Page 85 of Lyrical

“No, I had to get Daniel. I sent you a text telling you.”

“Hmm.” She ran her finger down her phone. “I didn’t get it.”

“Well, he called and asked me to pick him up. Get this—from Cassie’s. Because he didn’t have his car and didn’t know when she’d be home.” She tilted her head to look at me. “From that work meeting you were at earlier. Doesn’t that sound strange?”

“Hmm,” Perry said, and I really hoped they weren’t planning to play another round of ‘Faces of Death: Cassie Edition.’

“She stayed there afterwards to work on the play that’s coming up in a couple weeks. There’s a lot to get done for that,” I said, pulling the hair away from Jillian’s neck, loving the way she shivered at my touch. “Let’s not do this tonight, okay?”

“Yeah, Chase is probably right,” Perry said. “Um, we need to keep things positive here.” As if that weren’t suspicious enough, she added, “There are much happier things to focus on right now, like that great guy next to you.”

If Jillian thought Perry’s lack of trash-talking and scheming over anything Cassie-related was unusual, she didn’t acknowledge it. Which just proved how out of it she really was.

“Yeah, I know,” Jillian said. “I’m trying, but Daniel was acting all different today too. And not a good different. I really think Cassie’s starting to have a bigger influence on him, and it’s so frustrating. I have no idea what I can even do about it.”

Perry reached across the table and took Jillian’s hand. “You’re already feeling crappy, and continuing to think about it will only make you worse. I’ll tell you what. I’ll do all the worrying for you tonight. I’ll be killing her off all kinds of ways in my head, so you won’t have to waste the brainpower. Deal?”

“Deal,” Jillian said softly, as if even that took effort. Man, she looked wiped out.

“Can I get you anything?” I asked.

“No, thanks. I’m good for now.”

Perry went back to cradling her glass, and Jillian relaxed further against me. I embraced her the best I could without bringing her onto my lap.Fuck it.

“Come here.” I pulled her up, and she laid those fucking gorgeous legs sideways across mine, resting her head in the crook of my neck.

“Oh, hey,” Perry said, a slight slur to her voice. “I found out Stu and Kenny got back together. I’m such a sucker for love.” She grabbed hold of Stephen’s arm. “They were meant to be. Just like us. And Jills and Chase.”

“Who’s that again?” he asked.

“God, Stephen. The singer, remember? Stu’s been my friend forever, and Kenny’s his boyfriend. There’re playing at our wedding, so you should know this stuff.”

“I’m supposed to know who his boyfriend is?”

“Yeah, because if he’s happy and getting laid regularly, he’ll play better.” Perry snapped her finger. “Jills, you awake?”

“Mmhmm. That’s wonderful news. I’m happy for them.”

I lowered my head and whispered, “Doing okay there?” She nodded slowly. Damn. I just wanted to carry her out and take her home. She was not up for this, even if she’d been looking forward to it. She loved their music, she loved going out, she loved the company. Crazy dress aside, this should’ve been a dream night for her. If she was just tired, fine, but my gut was telling me there was more to what happened with Daniel than she was letting on.

“Maybe Chase will play a song with them too,” Perry said.

“He looks a little occupied with Jillian crashed out on top of him.”

“I’m awake,” Jillian mumbled.

“No, silly. I meant at our wedding. And Jills is going to sing.”

“Only thinking about it, Perry.” Her mumbles were even softer.

“Do you miss being up on stage, Chase?” Perry asked. “You’re pretty damn good.”

“Yeah, sometimes.” I kissed the top of Jillian’s head. She was so warm against me. I hoped she wasn’t getting sick. “It’s a great time, but not something I’d want on a regular basis. I can always strum one out. I don’t need an audience for that. It means more to have a woman who loves listening to me as much as I love playing for her. That’s all I need.”

“Aww, hear that, Jills?” Perry waved her hand around. “Jills?” Perry looked at me. “Wow, she really is out cold now. And she didn’t even hear what you said.”

“She already knows.”

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