Page 147 of Need You Now

With that, Seth, Luke, Sal and Jace disappear down to the studio, leaving Lacey with Emmy Lou, Alabama and Griff.

Griff lingers, cupping the curve of Alabama’s shoulder as he stands over her. “’Bout ready to go, sweetheart?”

“In a second,” she says, giving Griff a smile. “We’re just finishin’ up here.”

Emmy Lou settles beside Alabama, her brown eyes going to Lacey’s planner. “Oh, it’s so excitin’ you’re givin’ Sal a shower.”

“It is,” Lacey says. “It’s going to be perfect.”

What feels perfect is Lacey settling back into party-planner mode. She hasn’t realized how much she’s missed it.

“Are you stayin’ in Nashville, Lacey?” Emmy Lou asks.

“I think so.”

“Movin’ in with Seth?”

“I don’t—” Her mouth opens. Closes. That’s when she realizes she doesn’t know. They haven’t planned that far ahead.

Emmy Lou flaps a hand. “Well, I’m glad you got some time in with Seth while you can. Once the new year hits, with that album they’re recordin’, they’re flat booked.”

Griff grunts, his tawny eyes sliding to Lacey. “Don’t worry ’bout it, California. I’m sure Seth’s already got a place for you on that bus.”

Lacey smiles at him, but her emotions are taking a turn for the overwhelming. She and Seth haven’t discussed it. What happens when the Brothers Kincaid tour. If Lacey goes with him. She wants to be the girl who’s on the bus with Seth, but what if he hasn’t brought it up because he doesn’t want her cramping his style?

Emmy Lou leans in, her elbow on her knee, her chin in her palm. “What about work? Have you—”

“I think Lacey’s plannin’ to take it easy and figure it out back in Nashville,” Alabama says, interrupting Emmy Lou’s assault of questions. Griff huffs a goddamn under his breath and shoots Lacey a sympathetic glance before stalking out of the room.

“Now, about that shower ...,” Alabama says, kindly redirecting the conversation away from Lacey and back to one she can handle.

As Alabama and Emmy Lou chatter about babies and boppies, Lacey’s mind whirls. Absentmindedly, she fiddles with the locket on her throat, tuning out the conversation and tuning in to all the things she hasn’t planned. A job. Living arrangements. Her future.

Reality.

Tomorrow, she’s going back to Nashville. But she can’t stop the doubt from creeping in. Back to what?

A smile spreads across Seth’s face when he finds Lacey in the kitchen humming a song and swaying as she cuts into an onion.

For a second, he’s content to watch her. She’s barefoot in a long flowered dress, wearing a loose fawn-colored cardigan embroidered with GOOD VIBES on the back.

He stares, speechless. Two days ago, he held her body limp in his arms, praying she’d be okay. And now here she is. Alive. Beautiful.

His.

Finally, he can’t stand it any longer. The temptation to touch her too strong. He sets his fiddle case on the counter and goes to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Lacey makes a little purr of contentment and leans back into him.

“Now call me crazy,” he says against her ear. “But someone said they’d be restin’ later.” He eyes the messy kitchen. Black rice. Scallops. Butter. “Not cookin’ up a gourmet meal.”

His eyes scan her with worry. The doctor said pneumonia could surface days later. He ain’t taking any chances.

Lacey tucks away an exasperated sigh. “Seth, I’m fine.” She twists, turning to face him, but stays in his arms. “It’s our last night. Stop fussing. I want us to have a good time.”

Seth blinks. “Everyone’s gone?”

“And then there were four,” Lacey teases.

He laughs. “You and that spooky shit.” With a grin, he leans in. Kisses her slow. “Can’t say it’s so bad. Got you all to myself.”

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