We stepthrough the doors of the Whiskey Sage and are immediately assaulted by the heavy sounds of live country music and the thick scent of too many smells mixed together—perfume, body odor, and stale beer. There’s a reason I don’t frequent bars. I’d rather be in a cozier atmosphere. Less hectic, more controlled.
Like a bookstore.
Which is where I spent most of the day today. I got to meet Piper’s dad and look over some of the store accounts with him after he did his analysis. Turns out she had an accountant for a dad all this time and didn’t want to put him out.
Typical Piper.
Her hand slips into mine, our fingers lacing together. “It’s busy tonight,” she calls over her shoulder. If that’s her way of explaining, she doesn’t need to. I’d take her holding my hand at all times if I could.
I spot Natalie and Ravi at a corner booth with a group of people I don’t know and point them out. We make our way around the dance floor. Natalie’s already wearing a feather boaand pink tiara that announces her birthday, and Ravi has on a vintage Dracula shirt.
“You’re here!” Natalie climbs out of the booth and hugs both of us. When she returns to her seat, Ravi throws an arm over her shoulder.
“Oh, no way,” Piper says, sliding in next to Natalie. “When did this happen?”
Nat grins. “Last week ish.”
“You left us alone in the shop,” Ravi explains. “We had a chance to talk.”
“You told me?—”
Natalie shoots her a look. “It took a few more days to sort things out.”
“Didn’t realize I was standing in the way of love.”
“You aren’t anymore,” Ravi says with a shrug.
Piper laughs, reaching over to give him a shove. “Fine, I’m happy for you guys.”
The look in her eyes makes me think she’s worried about potential fallout, but clearly, she’s not going to rain on their brand-new relationship parade.
Natalie introduces me to everyone else at the table before I take Piper’s order and head off to get us something to drink. The crowd tonight is unreal, and when the band stops playing, I know why.
The guitarist takes the microphone. “Thanks for sticking around for us. I don’t know how the secret got out, but judging by the size of this crowd, y’all are here for the same reason I am.”
The screaming erupts.
“I know you came here for some other guys, but we appreciate you hearing us out. You’re a great crowd. Give it up for Carolina Blue!”
I stop in my tracks and look at the stage. That’s a big name in the world of country music, something I know because of anarticle my sister wrote last year. What a lucky break for Natalie’s birthday. Or maybe she knew ahead of time, like all these other women.
I sidestep a blonde to head toward the bar when she grips my arm tightly. “No way! Dorian McConkie?”
It’s Hannah Brandt in the flesh. She looks much the same as she did in college, only blonder, with long dark eyelashes and a face full of makeup—much more than she used to wear. She’s grinning at me, so I search for a response. “Hi. Wow, Hannah. It’s good to see you.”
“What?”
“It’s good to see you!” I yell.
“I can’t hear you. Come this way.” She takes my hand and tugs me across the floor before I can argue, making me distinctly uncomfortable. I slip my fingers free but follow her until we reach the doors. When we step outside and leave the wall of music behind, cold air hits my skin. She pulls me into an abrupt hug that reeks of perfume. “It’s been so long!”
“It has. How have you been?”
“Great. My books are thriving.” She smacks my shoulder playfully. “I don’t know if you noticed.”
“I saw a couple at Target a few weeks ago.” I don’t tell her they were shelved near mine. She doesn’t know.
Her grin widens. “Can you believe it? Going from writing in your moldy basement to this.”
