Page 13 of Whiskey Reveals

Fox: Again? Are you okay?

Melody: I’m fine. It’s just nerves. I used to get sick before recitals when I was younger, as well. Most thought I had an eating disorder, but it was really just stress. I never had a problem with eating like some of the other girls did. And I can’t believe I’m sitting here talking about throwing up and eating disorders, but here we are.

Fox latched on to the fact that she had given him a little piece of herself and who she had been before she moved to Whiskey. He didn’t like the fact that she had been sick, but he wanted to know more about her. It was probably a mistake, but he didn’t care. Not right then.

Fox: So, I know you’re opening the dance studio, so I assumed you had experience. You were a dancer?

There was such a long pause between what he had texted and her answer, he was truly afraid that he had said the wrong thing.

Melody: I used to dance ballet and was at Juilliard for a time. But that was long ago. Now, I’m just a teacher in a small town in PA.

He wasn’t sure what he could say to that since he knew there had to be a lot of history in that one statement, but he did his best.

Fox: There’s nothing just about being a teacher. In fact, you’ll be teaching my niece, nephew, and future sister-in-law. I’m pretty sure the family has a lot of faith in you.

Melody: I know you have to say that because we’re friends, but thank you.

Fox: You know I don’t have to say that.

Melody: Maybe.

Fox paused as he tried to think of what to say, but then she texted again.

Melody: Grandma showed me the article, Fox. It’s…it’s amazing. Thank you for doing that for her. And then I saw it mentioned online on another site, so you’re making her day, week, and month right now.

Fox frowned. Another site? That didn’t make any sense, especially considering that the full article wasn’t even up yet.

Fox: I’m glad you both liked it, but what other place did you see it?

She told him, and he froze.

Melody: And now that I think about it, I saw it on a couple of other places on social media, too. I think you’re viral, Fox. Pretty cool.

Fox blinked, staring at his phone. Well, that was unexpected. He’d have to go and see what she was talking about because it was just an article about a fascinating woman. And it wasn’t even a full story yet.

Fox: Thanks for letting me know. Weird.

Melody: Well, I guess you are pretty weird, Fox. Okay, I need to go get some more work done to get ready for opening day. But thanks again for what you did for Grandma. She loves it.

Fox: Night-night, Melody.

Melody: Night, Fox.

He stared at his phone for a second before pulling out his tablet to check the article. His eyes bugged when he saw the view numbers and clicks, and then he searched for where it had been named. A few big sites had already picked up his byline, and he had tons of emails about it—and it had only been a few hours.

Ms. Pearl, it seemed, wouldn’t just be famous in Whiskey. It wasn’t what Fox had planned on, but he had a feeling Ms. Pearl would have fun with it.

And as Fox leaned into the back of his couch, he had a feeling Melody would, too.

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