“I believe you,” is what I say. Sure as hell can’t tell him anything else. “Hey, the Portland crowd was high energy and we played extra encores. The tour bus is just getting rolling and I need to catch some shut-eye, but thanks for calling to share your news. It’s good to hear from you.”
“Before you go, Grüsh, I have more news. Amazing news.”
“Amazing on top of ‘everything is perfect’?” I follow with a chuckle that fails to mask the sourness in my question.
Ogram deserves better than my crap-ass cynicism.
“Sorry, brother. Long night. Long tour. Think I’m due for a break. Hit me with your amazing news.”
“My news might help you take that break you need,” Ogram says. “Hope and I are getting married. We would both be very happy if you can make it.”
Shit. I’m on hook now. The inescapable point is already digging in, even without hearing the details. “Where’s the wedding?”
“Here. A small ceremony on the farm. Outside, if the weather cooperates, in the barn if it doesn’t.”
Going back to Harmony Glen is the last thing I want to do, but with the ceremony at the farm, at least I can avoid going into the town itself. I’ll fly into Ithica, drive a rental to Ogram’s place, then leave after the groom kisses the bride.
Ogram has always been a solitary loner, and if Hope is his mate, it’s likely she’s equally quiet and antisocial. Their “smallceremony” will probably consist of his farm employees, Hope’s family, and me. No crossing paths with the one person I’ve spent six years trying to forget because she gave me no other choice.
Just thinking of being anywhere near her is already messing with my head, my gut.
“I want to be there with you to celebrate, but the summer tour schedule is already set, and I don’t have many free days available. I doubt there are any weekends I’m not committed to being onstage somewhere.”
“I know you wouldn’t be available during a tour. Fortunately, the wedding is a week after the last show on your current run. I checked your website and there are no events listed for that period of time.”
Damn it. I lift my head for the sole purpose of letting it thud against the plush upholstery. “Looks like you’ve thought of everything. Can’t wait to meet your mate and wish you well for a couple of hours.”
“We hope you’ll stay longer than that. At least a couple of nights, so you can join us for a small get-together the night before the wedding and the reception after the ceremony,” Ogram says. “I reserved you one of the Green Glen Cabins, near the conservation area. Private and quiet.”
Shit. “Yeah, I’m ready for both of those things. Send me the details and I’ll be there.” For as short a time as possible. And I won’t be making any detours toward downtown. Just farm to cabin, then cabin to get the hell out of there.
“I’ll have Hope text you now. See you in a couple of weeks.” The line goes dead, Ogram saving me the awkwardness of further small talk or pretending to be excited about a trip back home.
Home.Why does my brain continue to assign that label to Harmony Glen when I haven’t lived there in six years? My condo in Los Angeles has every amenity imaginable. The best of thebest. It’s quiet and secluded, with top-notch security ensuring fans and press don’t make it to the elevator.
Those are the only people trying to get close. No one who matters because you lethergo, the damn voice inside my head whispers.
“Fuck.”
“Everything okay?” Benny asks. No follow-up question. No boot nudge when I ignore him.
My damn mind is full of mental images ofher, my cock is trying to bust free of my jeans, and my fucking soul is aching. Everything is not okay.
Chapter Two
Harmony Glen, New York
CATE
“Hey, Cate—oh, you look super busy. I’ll come back another time.”
“No, please come in.” I motion Hope into my office. “Save me from this never-ending bookkeeping. My least favorite part of owning a bar,” I say, closing the laptop.
“Have you considered hiring someone to do that part? It’d free up time for you to do something other than work.” She makes her way into the small room and settles into the chair on the opposite side of my desk. “In all the time I’ve been in Harmony Glen, I’ve never seen you out and about, enjoying life. You’re always working. Behind the bar when it’s open, and in your office when the bar is closed.”
“Owning and working in The Corner Bar is how I enjoy life.”
“Oh, I know. It’s your heart and soul and personal touch that make this place so much more than just a bar. But you could have thisanda personal life.”
