"Go home," she said. "Rest. The world won't end if you take an evening off."
Annabelle nodded, but they both knew she wouldn't.
THE WALK HOME should have been peaceful. The village was beautiful in the late afternoon light, all golden leaves and cozy cottages and the distant sound of children playing.
But all Annabelle could think about was the to-do list burning a hole in her pocket.
She needed to confirm the final numbers with Blossom for the catering. Check in with Gloria about the costumes. Email the local paper about covering the event. Follow up on the last few raffle donations. Print programs. Double-check the sound system. Make sure…
She stopped mid-step.
There was someone standing outside Arty's pub with a camera.
A very expensive-looking camera.
Paparazzi.
Annabelle's heart sank. She'd heard they were sniffing around, Blossom had mentioned seeing someone suspicious near the café the other day, but she'd hoped it was just a rumor.
The photographer spotted her and immediately raised his camera.
"Ms. Swift! Can you comment on your relationship with Raven?"
Annabelle blinked. "My what?"
"Are you and the rockstar involved? How long have you been together?"
"We're not… I'm not…" Annabelle felt her face heating. "No comment."
She hurried past, heart pounding, and didn't slow down until she reached her cottage.
Not that she hadn’t known that Raven had to deal with the press, but having them right here, having them accost her on the way home. Her heart beat hard in her chest and she thought about Raven, holed up in her cottage, trying to write her album while the world pressed in from all sides.
Another thing to worry about. Another thing to fix.
Annabelle closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Five days. She could do this. She could manage the fundraiser and help Raven and check on Jamie and keep smiling and…
No.
She couldn't think about this now. Right now, all she wanted was to see Raven. To kiss her. To forget about everything else for just a few minutes.
She dropped her bag inside her front door and walked straight to Raven's cottage.
Raven answered on the second knock, and the sight of her made something in Annabelle's chest loosen slightly.
"Hey," Raven said, stepping aside to let her in. "You look—"
"Exhausted, I know. Everyone keeps telling me." Annabelle kicked off her shoes and headed straight for the sofa, collapsing onto it with a groan. "Can we not talk about it?"
"Alright." Raven sat down beside her, close enough that their thighs touched. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing." Annabelle leaned her head on Raven's shoulder. "Can we just sit here in silence for a bit?"
"Works for me."
They sat like that for several minutes, and Annabelle felt some of the tension start to drain from her shoulders. This was good. This was exactly what she needed.
But then she noticed Raven's phone on the coffee table, screen facing up, showing a notification.
