Page 65 of High Note

“Don’t you dare do that.” That brassy, happy laugh just rang out.

“No. No, I like dreaming with you.” She grinned, shook her head. “We’ll need more room for your clothes.”

“Oh, honey. I’ll take an entire apartment downstairs…”

“Perfect. Do I get to help pick out your outfits sometimes?” Skyla had these stunning curves…

“Hell, yes. I hate doing all that. I mean, I love clothes, but the performance outfits can be so fraught.” Skyla shook her head. “You could help with a lot.”

“I can help with supporting you.” She knew that she wasn’t bringing the money, but she had a home and cats and care and a community.

“You can help by writing songs. Kissing me. Talking to me. Loving me.”

Jesus. That squeezed her heart, and she nodded, trying not to look at Skyla instead of the road.

“You have my word, lady. I just want to be a part of your world—no matter what that means.”

“Then we got this.”

When she pulled in to park, Skyla leaned across the console to take a kiss, which was warm, sweet, and perfect.

“Welcome home,” Kirsten whispered against her lips.

“Thank you, honey. I’m ready for it. I promise.”

“Me too.” She grabbed the pie. “Come on, let’s walk Reba. She’ll be ready.”

“You got it, honey. Then we can have second dessert.”

Oh, now, that was intriguing. She was in.

Chapter Nineteen

Skyla sipped her coffee and watched silly TikTok videos on her phone while she waited for Peach. She was meeting her manager at the coffee shop because it was so much easier to find than Kirsten’s place and that way she could take Peach to the B and B. But man, she had a bad case of the nerves.

Kirsten was teaching the guitar classes she’d missed last week, and she’d gotten a quick kiss as KK’d walked out the door.

The little everyday things were such a revelation to her, and she didn’t want to give it up. And she wasn’t going to, but she was a little scared of whatever Peach had to say.

Peach wandered in, wrapped in what had to be a football field’s yardage worth of bright red wool. She looked somehow stylish yet utterly Mrs. Claus.

“Hey, lady.” She stood, waving. “Come sit and warm up and I’ll get your coffee.” The shop was mostly empty, the early crowd gone, lunch not yet in swing.

“Hey, gorgeous. You look happy. I approve. It’s good on you.” Peach came over and took a hug. “Something decadent, eh?”

“You got it.” She knew what Peach liked, so she kissed that cold cheek, then headed to the counter to get a peppermintmocha and some cookies. Peach looked a little tired, so it was time for a pick-me-up.

By the time she got back over there, Peach was out of her winter wear, looking like a breath of fresh air in her turtleneck and her plaid leggings.

“This place is gorgeous,” Peach said. “I mean a real gem.”

“I know. It’s like a Hallmark movie in the best way.”

Peach chuckled. “So, sit and tell me what all you’ve been up to.”

She clicked her tongue. “Well, you know part of it.”

“You think?” Peach rolled her eyes. “Personally, I’m loving the publicity, and I’m not taking it as bad publicity, sweetpea.”

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