Page 41 of Love Me Steadfast
I hate that the choice I was forced to make at eighteen has made it awkward for Crosby to connect with our old friend group. After everything Sally did for me—and Morgan—that’s the last thing he deserves.
I swallow my bite too fast and the cold stings my sore tooth. I suck in a breath.
Wren cringes. “You okay?”
I try to warm the spot with my tongue. “Toothache. It won’t go away.”
“Denny’s uncle is a dentist if you need someone,” she says.
I wave her off. Dental visits are tricky. I’ll just have to wait until I’m back in Seattle. “When’s Emmie coming back?”
“Next week, I think. Will you still be here?”
“Probably.” I spoon up the melted edge of my smoothie then add a slice of banana.
She nudges my arm. “Don’t look so glum.”
I laugh. “I’m not glum. But, you know, I’ve got stuff to get back to.”
She gives me a knowing smirk. “I bet none of them are as swoony as William Hayes.”
I try to roll my eyes, but her look says she’s onto me.
“Do you think…the two of you…” One of her dark eyebrows arches. “Could you guys give it another shot?”
Panic chews at my insides. “No. There’s…too much has changed,” I say, fumbling to come up with the right words. Leave it to Wren to put me on the spot. “And my life’s in Seattle. I’m about to nail the gig of my dreams, Wren.”
She gives me a dramatic sigh. “I get it. But…what if your dream gig was in Finn River? You could take over the summer youth symphony. You and Morgan could make music again.”
I try to smile. She makes it sound so easy.
When I don’t reply, she covers my hand again. “I just want you to be happy.”
My phone buzzes, thankfully giving me a much-needed diversion, though hopefully it isn’t another emergency. “Sorry,” I say to Wren as I peek at the screen.
I need help with these demos
Sparks dance under my skin. I tell myself that I’m irritated, and definitely not intrigued.
“What demos?” Wren asks with a scowl, reading over my shoulder. “Isn’t QB what you called William?”
After I broke things off, I had to block his number. But after I saw him at Boxcar’s last show, I unblocked it. Not that it’s fixed anything.
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Did you hear he bought The Limelight?”
Her face blanches in shock. “Seriously? When? And…why?”
I give her the few details I have. “I think Will has this crazy idea that I’ll help him run it.”
She cocks her head. “Plot twist.”
I roll my eyes. “I can’t, Wren. I’m not staying.” Turning him down is the right thing to do. I can’t safelywork withWilliam. He wanted to buy The Limelight, right? Then he can figure out how to run it.
“How’s Henrik doing?” Wren asks.
My chest tightens. “Not great. I mean, he still has good days, but they’re becoming less frequent.”
“I’m sorry.” Her expression softens. “And there’s nothing else that can be done?”
