We all put the glasses to our mouths and turned them upward.
“Great shot!” the photographer said.
“Give me that,” Chase said as he spun us around from the crowd. He grabbed my glass and drained the champagne for me, then handed me back the empty glass with a smile. “There ya go.”
He kissed me gently on the lips as the server came to take our empty flutes.
“Don’t go too far, you two. You’re not done,” Harper said.
Gage came to stand next to us, while Harper went to have some pictures taken with her mother.
“Congratulations, Brother,” Chase said as he hugged Gage. “A married man. Never thought it would happen but have to say I’m glad you found Harper. She’s good for you.”
Gage’s smile was wide and genuine.
“Thanks. It’s good to see you guys,” Gage said. He leaned in and gave me a hug. “Really good to see you. How has the tour been going?”
Chase’s tour had been extended. The talent manager was impressed with him and two other singers on the original tour and booked them on a longer one that took us through to this summer. We were touring the entire country now, not only the East Coast. We flew in from Portland for the wedding.
“It’s been amazing. I’ve been making some serious contacts every step of the way. Some studio heads are supposed to be at a show in Seattle next week. I’m hoping they show up.”
“And you, Maryellen? How’s your book coming?” Gage asked, giving me his full attention.
Seeing him for the first time in months, I realized how much I missed him. And when I did see him, it was a quick hello as Harper and I were heading out for a wedding appointment of some kind.
I thought about my job with him often. The routine it offered, day in and day out. Literally, the security of my desk and the comfort of going to the same space for almost seven years. I thought it was necessary for me and my brain to cope. Since walking away, I’ve learned so much about myself.
Mostly that I hadn’t pushed myself, and my boundaries, enough. The world was a big place and had a lot to offer. If I stepped outside of my small box, there were opportunities for me to grab.
Chase helped me with that.
And I was flourishing.
“My book…” I said in response to Gage. “Well, it’s finished.”
His eyes went wide. “It is? That’s amazing. What’s the next step?”
“To find an agent and get it published. I’m realizing that’s harder than writing the damn thing.”
Chase put his arm around me as a show of support.
“She’ll do it, the book is amazing. She’s talented. The right agent will come along, I know it.”
I left the brothers to catch up. They hadn’t seen each other since Chase left originally. Their reunion yesterday was genuine and real, with tears. I think their time apart brought them closer together. I knew, and Harper confirmed, that they texted and spoke weekly to catch up and provide each other updates.
It was cute.
And it helped Chase while on the road to have that connection back home, whether he believed it or not.
Chase
As Gage and I spoke, I kept stealing glances at Maryellen as she stared off at the mountains. She was always beautiful. But even more lately. The glow was real.
“Mitch has been doing great, you were right to recommend him for the spot,” Gage said, bringing me back to our conversation.
“I knew he’d be perfect for the job. He’s doing better at it than I ever would.”
I was thrilled for the shot I gave him by leaving the company. He deserved it. Though I missed seeing him every day. It was amazing when he and Evie came to a show in South Carolina last spring. They made a vacation out of joining us for the weekend to catch me at one of the stops. Seeing them in the audience was like old times.
