“When you put it that way, it makes sense.” I nod to myself. She’s right. The idea of Nashville has always been to become a singer. “Do you think I could really do it all from Everton?”
“As long as you promise to visit me once a month.” Her eyes crinkle with her smile, and her messy top knot falls to a side, making me giggle.
“Of course. I’ll still be coming here for shows, too. It’s not like I’ll never return, I just won’t be your roommate.” I give her an exaggerated pout, my lower lip rolling down.
“But we’ll always be friends.” She slings her arm around my neck and pulls me to her.
“That is true.” I nod against her shoulder.
“Besides, doesn’t that hot cowboy live there, too?”
My eyes widen as I move back to stare at her. “I told you that one drunken night, and we agreed to never speak of it again.”
“You agreed. I did no such thing. How is Gavin these days?” She settles in with a cocky smile as if she’s ready for storytime.
“Ugh,” I groan and toss my head back. “Confusing. I’ve seen more of him around town, and I even spent some time with him and his daughter when I ran into them at a bakery. They shared a cupcake with me. It was awkward, his daughter doing most of the talking. She’s adorable.”
“Did you ever find out what happened between him and his daughter’s mom?” Kelsey’s face grows serious, all teasing gone.
I shake my head, pursing my lips. “I have a feeling it’s not good by how closed off he is, but I don’t know what happened. I haven’t asked, and no one has told me. Regardless, I rather find out from him if and when that time comes.”
“His daughter doesn’t talk about her?” Her eyebrows pull together.
“Nope.” I shrug. “She’s a happy girl, a little shy at first, but she’s opened up a lot to me. Maybe she doesn’t know who her mom is? For all I know, she died.”
Kelsey gasps, bringing a hand to cover her mouth. “Do you think so?”
“I have no idea.” I drop back against the couch and fix my ponytail.
“Well, just focus on you and continue being your amazing self. He’ll eventually see how great you are. If he doesn’t, he isn’t worth your time and heart.”
“Thanks.” I smile. “I feel like you’re buttering me up for something.” I narrow my eyes.
“I’d never.” An insulted hand lands on her chest. “But, if you happen to get an extra ticket to the ACM afterparty, I wouldn’t say no,” she winks.
I laugh and shake my head, reaching for my coffee mug.
“I’m kidding,” Kelsey smiles. “I say everything I do with unconditional truth.”
“I appreciate it. I’m gonna miss you.” I scrunch up my nose. “And my coffee’s cold. Will you warm it up for me, please? You do have to make yourself some tea, right?” I hold my mug out to her and bite down my giggle.
Kelsey frowns, giving me a bullshit look as her eyes narrow slightly.
“You’re such a brat.” She stands and goes to the kitchen.
“My coffee,” I call out.
“Warm it up yourself. It’s torture to hold that mug when I can’t drink any,” she throws over her shoulder.
Laughing, I stand and meet her in the kitchen. “How serious is this clean eating thing? Is there anything you can eat at Frenchie’s?”
“Sure, tempt me with coffee first, then the best French toast place in town with unlimited mimosas. I’ll go shower.” She sighs as if it were too much trouble to please me.
“You don’t have to, but I’ve been craving a good breakfast for two weeks.”
“Puh-lease, as if I’d let you go alone. You’re a star now. You need your bodyguard with you.” She flexes her arms to show off her small muscles. “Maybe instead of clean eating, I should renew my gym membership,” Kelsey adds, looking at her arm. “Whatever, French toast and mimosas today. My body could use the shock, and we’re celebrating your new phase!” Kelsey shimmies toward her room, leaving me laughing in the kitchen. She’s something else.
After stuffing our faces with French toast, and Kelsey blaming me for talking her into getting the carb breakfast choice instead of the omelet, which I did no such thing, we laugh and continue to drink our bottomless mimosas.
“I’ll definitely miss you, but maybe that will give me an excuse to check out that small town you’re so in love with.” Kelsey lifts a brow over her champagne flute.
“You definitely should come visit! It’s such a quaint town, very quirky.”
“So you’ve told me. Any hot cowboys still available?” She tilts her chin toward her chest and wags her eyebrows like a creep.
Laughing so hard I snort, I cover my face and shake my head. Kelsey cackles, drawing attention to us on the outdoor patio. Shushing her is no point, and I feel the heat of a blush creeping up my neck and landing on my cheeks.
“You crack me up,” she says when she controls her laughter.
“To answer your question, I don’t know which cowboys are available.”
“Well, I’ll just have to go rope me one soon, then.”
“You should definitely come soon. It’ll be fun to show you around and introduce you to everyone.”
“Excuse me?” A soft voice cuts into our conversation, and Kelsey and I both turn our heads.
“Yes?” I smile at the young woman with wide, unsure eyes that turn into wider, excited ones.
“Are you Sutton Wright?”
“Yeah,” I smile.
“Oh. My. God. I freaking love your music! ‘He Ain’t Worth the Heartache’ is my current favorite song. Do you mind if I take a picture with you?” She bites her bottom lip as she waits for my
