Page 31 of Unlocking Melodies

Nina's reassurance was cut off by my own voice - apparently my mouth had decided to act without consulting my brain. “Cole could help.”

They both turned, and I immediately regretted speaking. But corporate autopilot kicked in, and I found myself falling into presentation mode.

“We have a full event management division. Digital ticketing systems, vendor coordination platforms, real-time financial tracking...” I was using my board meeting voice, the words coming out too polished, too formal. Nina's expression shifted from surprise to bristling defensiveness.

But Jimmy... Jimmy looked interested. “That sounds actually really helpful.”

“We've managed fine before,” Nina started, but Jimmy shook his head.

“Yeah, and Past Jimmy apparently knew what he was doing. Current Jimmy needs all the help he can get.”

Our eyes met, and for a moment, something electric passed between us - a flash of real connection that made my chest tight.

“Does this mean Cole Tech is officially involved in the Harvest Festival?” Riley's voice cut through the moment like a knife. He materialized beside our table, notebook already out. “Any comment on this surprising investment in small-town entertainment?”

“It was just a suggestion,” I said carefully, retreating to my corner booth. But I could feel Jimmy's eyes following me, thoughtful and curious.

My phone buzzed again. The executive team was now in full panic mode:

“Miller Tech making moves on our integration”

“Your father's called three emergency board meetings...”

“Tech Insider asking for comment on your 'rural sabbatical'...”

Eight years of building an empire, and here I was, letting it potentially crumble while I sat in a small-town bar offering to help manage pumpkin contests and pie competitions.

Jimmy's voice drifted over again, explaining something about vendor contracts to Nina. He sounded more confident now, like pieces were starting to click into place. I watched him move through the space - still hesitant sometimes, but finding his rhythm. Finding his place.

My laptop pinged with another crisis requiring the CEO's immediate attention. The responsible thing would be to go back, handle the hostile takeover attempt, smooth things over with the board. Be the corporate titan I'd spent eight years becoming.

Instead, I opened a new email:

“Mia - Have legal draw up preliminary sponsorship contracts for a small-town harvest festival. Full package. And find out what Miller Tech's weak points are. I'll handle both situations from here.”

My empire might be under siege, but watching Jimmy slowly find his way back to himself - even if that self might never remember me - felt more important than any hostile takeover.

Besides, I'd learned corporate warfare at my father's knee. Miller Tech had no idea what they were walking into. And neither did the Harvest Festival committee, for that matter.

Chapter 7

Echoes of Us

I'd finally mastered my morning routine at the ranch. Feed Melody (with carefully measured treats), make coffee (strong enough to wake the roosters), attempt to remember which kitchen cabinet I'd reorganized things into yesterday (Past Jimmy's labeling system was still a mystery to Current Jimmy). Everything was going smoothly until Liam appeared with a suspicious-looking cardboard box.

“Found these while cleaning your place back at Nina’s,” he said too casually, setting down what turned out to be old Rosewood Academy yearbooks. “Thought you might want to look through them.”

The timing seemed convenient, given everyone's recent strange reactions whenever Ethan was mentioned. But curiosity won out over suspicion, and I found myself flipping through pages of strangers who were supposedly my classmates while attempting not to spill coffee on what was apparently photographic evidence of my college years.

Then I saw it.

My coffee cup froze halfway to my mouth. The photo captured two young men at a piano - one of them unmistakably me, the other a younger, softer version of the man who'd been haunting The Watering Hole's corner booth. We were both mid-laugh, completely lost in whatever moment the camera had caught.

The caption read: “Musical Prodigies: Ethan Cole and Jimmy Reed perform their original composition at the Senior Showcase.”

Something stirred in my chest - not quite a memory, more like déjà vu without context. Like hearing a song you know you should remember but can't quite place.

I looked up to find Liam watching me with careful intensity. “So,” I said, aiming for casual and probably landing somewhere around 'obviously freaking out', “Ethan and I knew each other.”

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