She nods, musing over this. “I get it, but that doesn’t mean you two can’t make it work.” She takes a sip of wine and relaxes back into the couch.
“I know.” I blow out a gust of breath. Everything she says is true, and Gavin and I are off to a fantastic start. It’s still a worry I have, though.
“When am I going to meet him?” Her eyebrows dance on her forehead, causing me to giggle and fall back on the couch with her, careful not to spill my beer. I bought the local IPA that Gavin got for our picnic, and now every time I drink it, I think of that night and our first kiss.
“Tomorrow night. We’re going to Clarke’s.”
“Ohhhh… That bar you’re always talking about?”
I laugh. “Yes, ma’am.”
Kelsey throws a pillow at me. “Don’t call me ma’am.”
My head falls back in laughter, and I snort, causing us both to laugh harder.
“Has Gavin witnessed your adorably embarrassing quirk?”
“Yes.” I cover my face. “He says it’s cute.”
“Then, he’s a keeper because I’d call your snorting a lot of things, but cute isn’t one of them,” she teases.
I roll my eyes and smile. It’s so nice to have her visit and finally see Everton. “What are we going to do tonight?” She looks at me over the rim of her glass.
“Pizza for dinner?” I suggest. “Or are you still doing your cleanse?” I mock with an arched eyebrow.
“After the French toast and mimosa binge? What do you think?” She mimics my lifted brow and stares at me.
“I’m not even sorry about it.” I shake my head and finish my beer.
“Howdy’s is the best pizza in town.” I stand and place my bottle in the recycling bin connected to my garbage can.
“A pizza place named after a cowboy greeting. I sure am in the Wild, Wild West now.”
“Because the South is so much fancier,” I throw back.
“Excuse me, I’m from a city.” She bats her eyelashes.
I chuckle and shake my head. When I first moved to Nashville and met Kelsey, she good-naturedly mocked my thick southern accent.
My phone pings on the coffee table, interrupting our banter.
“Is that lover boy?” Kelsey smirks.
I pick up my phone and smile, nodding.
Gavin: Hope you’re having fun with Kelsey
Sutton: Thanks I am. We’re catching up and talking about you
Gavin: Are you kissing and telling?
Sutton: I’d never…
“He said he hoped I was having fun with you.” Gavin has little things like this that make me fall for him more each day. Even when we can’t see each other on some days, we talk often.
“By the look on your face, you’re totally smitten with him.”
“I totally am.” I clutch the pillow next to me and hug it to my chest, burying my face in it and concealing my squee.
Kelsey moves it away from me and looks at me. “I’m happy for you, Sutton.”
I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. “Thanks. Ready for pizza?”
“Heck, yeah.”
…
“You were right, that pizza was freakin’ delicious. Do you think I can get a Howdy’s in Nashville?” Kelsey and I walk down the sidewalk. I point out a few shops I love and promise to bring her tomorrow when they’re open.
“I thought it was too Wild West for you,” I mock.
“Shush.” She shoves my shoulder. “I take it all back so long as I can eat there again before I leave on Thursday.”
“Why did you only come for three days?” I scrunch my eyebrows. Kelsey loops her arm in mine and sways. The light breeze cools me.
“Because I have a job.”
“What is one more day? Going back from vacation on a Friday seems pointless.” I cock my head, pointing out the obvious.
“Because…” she draws out. “I have a meeting on Friday that I cannot miss.”
Kelsey works for The Fine Art Museum in Nashville, organizing expositions, events, and working directly with artists.
“Who are you meeting with?” Curiosity gets the best of me, and I can’t help but ask her.
“Not a word.” She lifts a finger at me as we stop walking.
I run my pinched fingers across my lips as if I had a zipper over them.
“Mikayla Hunt. We’re working with her to showcase her newest art collection and spotlight her as a local artist.”
“Shut the front door! Will Tyler be there? What am I saying? Of course, he will. Gah!” I throw my head back. “You know how much I love his music.”
Kelsey giggles. “I know, that’s why I’ve been dying to tell you.”
Tyler Hunt is the country-rock singer. His music is known worldwide, and I’ve been a fan of his for years. We have yet to cross paths, but I hope to one day meet him. He had a rough go for a few years, but he turned his life around, and his music has been even better because of it. His wife is a talented artist. I’m confident her exposition will be a huge success.
As we continue to walk, I hear, “Famous Singer!” called out from behind me.
With a huge grin, I turn around to see Penny waving wildly a few feet away.
“Is that…” Kelsey trails off. I glance her way and see her wide eyes.
“Yup.” I pop the P and laugh. “I guess you’re meeting him tonight.”
“God, I’m so excited,” she squeals quietly. I laugh loudly and meet Penny and Gavin halfway.
“Hey.” I bend down. “What are you doing out past your bedtime?” During the week, she’s usually in bed by eight.
“We had to get something for school I forgot about.” Her nose scrunches as guilt laces her words. I’ve got a feeling there was a discussion about this at home by the look on her face. “Is that your friend?” She points at Kelsey. Smooth subject change, Penny, I think to myself.
“Penny, we don’t
