Page 36 of Beneath Southern Stars

“Your segment will be one of five with some other shit I don’t care about. The last part will be a compilation of the artists coming together for a few holiday classics. You need to get back here as soon as possible to start rehearsals.”

“Whoa, slow down. When is this supposed to air?”

“Next weekend. It’s the same weekend every year, Ryan. You know this, not like you haven’t been on the show before. I’m sure you’re bored out of your mind in that small town anyway. I looked it up, they don’t even have a Starbucks.”

No, they don’t, and that’s one of the best things in Magnolia Grove. Besides Jitterbug puts any chain coffee shop to shame. And the bagels at Bagel Bin really are superior to any other breakfast sandwich. Gordon would flip if he knew there was only one market in town. Not that we can’t take a drive to Mobile for any major purchases or to fulfill a need for a chain restaurant or coffee shop.

When did I start considering myself as part of the universal “we” of Magnolia Grove?

“Did you say next weekend? I can’t, I have the Jubilee dance.”

I pull the phone away as Gordon guffaws loudly. Frustration begins to build as he continues laughing.

“I’m sorry,” he says between gasps. “Did you say, “Jubilee dance”? Come on Ryan this isCountry Christmas Live. You don’t say no to this, especially when you’ve put your career on the back burner. By the time you try for a comeback it may be too late.”

An unamused laugh falls from my lips. “Really? Well, if this community of fans or my fellow artists have a problem with mestepping back to mourn the loss of my ex-wife and be there for my daughter, maybe my time in this industry has run its course.”

“Now calm down. I didn’t say anyone was thinking that, but it’s the reality of the business. Hell, with social media and all these singing shows, the competition is high. Maybe you need more time off. That’s fine but don’t throw away an opportunity like this.”

The slider opens and I turn to find a dream walk toward me. Laney found one of my T-shirts and steps toward me, her feet bare. Her hair is tousled and I’m not sure she’s fully awake by the way her eyes flutter. I lift my arm, and she slides in next to me. Needing to have this moment with her I promise to think about Gordon’s so-called emergency and end the call.

“It’s early.” Laney’s voice is gravely, and I chuckle.

“I didn’t mean to wake you. I had to take a call from my manager.”

She tightens her hold on my waist, and I scoop her up princess style, causing her to shriek and giggle. I carry her back to bed. Shucking my jeans, I slide in under the covers and pull her back to my front. Again, I note how perfectly she fits against me.

“Is everything okay with your manager? It sounded a little tense when I opened the door.”

I nuzzle closer to her, as if that’s possible. “He was trying to convince me to step in last minute forCountry Christmas Live.”

Laney flips around so we’re facing one another. Her expression is in a word... awestruck. “Ohmygosh. I loveCountry Christmas Live. Well except the live part. Too many commercials. I record it every year and then watch it. Are you going to—wait that’s next weekend.”

“It is. I told him I had plans.”

Her brows furrow and she tilts her head. “You do? What’s more important thanCountry Christmas Live?”

My lips brush hers and I whisper, “You.”

In my head this is a romantic moment. I just told the woman I spent the night with that she is a priority. Not only because we slept together but because of what she’s come to mean to both me and Pepper. How right everything feels with her in my bed and Steve sleeping with Pepper. Except Laney seems offended and frankly, pissed at my statement.

She pushes off me and sits up, her eyes narrowed as she smacks my arm.

“I am not anything of the sort. This is a big deal, Ryan.”

Grabbing her hand before she can hit me again, I say with complete sincerity, “Laney, you are one hundred percent more important than most things. I want to spend as much time with you as possible before I have to go back for Christmas. If I accept this, we would probably leave today. I’d need to make arrangements for Pepper and handle a lot of behind the scenes stuff plus attend rehearsals.”

Her head drops and she’s quiet. It’s almost too long before she speaks, and I fear I’ve said too much. Declared my feelings without meaning to make things awkward.

“You were always leaving, Ryan. I’ve enjoyed our time together and last night was... well, it was great. But you don’t live here. Maybe it’s for the best you leave sooner rather than later.”

I’m left dumbfounded as she slips from the bed and begins getting dressed. I stand, naked as the day I was born, and reach for her. Instead of letting me touch her, she turns to fasten her bra. I take that moment to pull on my jeans. Realizing her sweater is still out in the living room she hustles from the room. By the time I reach her, she’s gathered her shoes and is creeping back down the hall. Before she can reach Pepper’s room, the door opens and Steve scurries out excited. My daughtergrumbles as she tumbles out of her room. When she looks up and sees Laney, her eyes sparkle and a smile graces her face.

My eyes can’t leave the scene before me as Laney kneels down and pulls Pepper into a hug. I hear a sniffle and whispers as she gives my daughter one last squeeze and then stands. When she looks at me, I see her eyes flooded with tears.

“It’s for the best, Ryan. Thank you for last night. I’ll never forget it.”

Pepper steps next to me and grips my hand as we watch the best thing to happen to both of us walk out the door.

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