“Don’t worry about it.”
I awkwardly wave them off, watching Gavin and his daughter cross the street and head in the direction of the store.
I continue walking toward Cup-O-Joe, the local coffee shop in town, to meet Ainsley, Knox Bentley’s wife, for coffee.
The last thing I ever expected was for this Southern girl to sign a country music contract with a label in Wyoming instead of Nashville, but when Knox Bentley, one of country music’s biggest stars, is one of the founders of said label, it was a no-brainer. I’ve admired his music for far too long to give up the chance to work alongside him.
I wrap my arms around my body as a gust of wind swooshes by me and focus on keeping my footing. It’s spring for goodness sake, and yet the weather here feels like it’s dead of winter. When Nashville’s temperature is in the low seventies, Everton still threatens with snowfall.
I pull the door open when I arrive at Cup-O-Joe and welcome the warmth mixed with the soothing, rich scent of roasted coffee.
“Hey,” Ainsley calls out from a table. Her laptop is opened, covering half of her face.
“Hey, sorry, I’m late.” I smile, warmth heating my cheeks. I take a seat across from her.
“What happened?” Her blue eyes twinkle as she watches my blush.
“Ugh.” I drop my head forward, landing with a thud on the table.
Ainsley giggles across from me, and I lift my head enough to glare at her.
“First, I need coffee. Do you want anything?”
Ainsley asks for a latte, and I walk up to the counter to order two lattes, a muffin, and a chocolate chip cookie. Whoever said cookies can’t be breakfast food didn’t know what the good stuff in life is.
Once I sit back down, Ainsley raises her eyebrows. “Okay, spill.”
“I ran into Gavin, Abbie’s cousin. You know him.” She nods in acknowledgment. “I wasn’t looking where I was going and slammed into him. It was so embarrassing,” I groan.
“I think it’s adorable you have a crush on him. It reminds me of being young again,” Ainsley sighs, a hint of mockery in her tone.
“You’re so obnoxious.” I steal her muffin.
“Hey,” Ainsley calls out.
I chuckle and wave the muffin over my head.
Ainsley’s eyes widen, and she leans forward. “Guess who just walked in.” Her voice comes out in a rushed whisper.
“Pfftt… As if I’m going to fall for that. Remember, we toured together. I’ve learned to read you.” Knox and I went on our first tour together, three months around the United States, going to major cities in the hopes we can add more. It was an amazing experience opening for him and spending time on the road. The best part was that Ainsley was with us, so I wasn't stuck with Knox and Harris, the label’s co-owner. I had another woman on my side, who knows the difference between fringe and sequins.
“Okay.” She leans back on her chair and crosses her arms over her chest. When she waves at someone behind me, I turn around and drop the muffin on the floor.
Gavin tips his hat at Ainsley before bending down to hear what Penny is telling him. My head snaps back to her, and I glare.
“I told you,” she smiles. “You owe me a new muffin.” She points to the counter where Gavin is.
“Now?”
“You’d think someone who was so confident on a stage wouldn’t be afraid to talk to a guy she likes.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” I lean forward on my elbows and confess. “I’m usually outgoing, but Gavin is so reserved that he intimidates me.”
“Could it be that he’s a dad,” she shrugs, pinching her lips to the side as she ponders her own question.
“Maybe. It’s kinda weird, right? I never thought I’d like someone who already has a child.”
“Humph.” I look up to see an older woman standing by our table, staring at the muffin I dropped with narrowed eyes of disappointment.
“Sorry,” I mumble and reach down to pick up the pastry that offended the woman.
I stand and dump it, getting in line to buy Ainsley a new one. She gives me a triumphant smile, and I glare in return.
“We meet again.” I flick my wrist in a half-wave when Gavin turns to look at me.
“Yeah,” he nods. Thankfully, Penny giggles at my awkward greeting.
“We just saw you!”
“You did. Did you buy all the feed you needed?” I bend down and focus on her instead of her distant father.
“Yes, and then Daddy promised me hot cocoa since I was such a good helper.” She twirls around, messy pigtails flying around her face. Her plaid button-down shirt and small cowboy boots tucked into her jeans are the perfect cowgirl outfit.
“Good job,” I pat her head.
With a tight smile, I order Ainsley’s muffin and wait for the barista to hand it to me.
“Bye, Famous Singer,” Penny sing-songs with an enthusiastic wave.
I laugh and wave back, not bothering to correct her. Gavin whispers something as he leads her out of the coffee shop.
Ainsley’s shoulders shake with laughter as I sit back down and shove the muffin in her face. “At least Penny likes you.” Her amused observation does not make me laugh.
“Ugh.” I tilt my head back. “Why do I even care when I don’t live in Everton? It’s not like I could actually have a relationship with someone from here, let alone a single father.” Everton isn’t my home, and daydreaming of a man who lives here is pretty pointless, especially when my career is only getting more chaotic.
I love what I do, and I’ve been fighting for my break into the music industry for a few years now, even auditioning for Music Unplugged. I almost gave up when I didn’t get accepted into the singing competition.
It’s hard living away from my Mississippi home. I miss my family and the friends I left behind when I decided to move to Nashville, but when we have a dream, we risk it all
