Page 153 of Need You Now

“Okay,” Sal says softly. Her brow furrows as she gives all her attention to Lacey.

And Lacey talks, telling her sister her story. What she told Seth about her past. Her stepmother. Her bulimia. Her gratefulness to Sal and Luke for getting her out of that house, for getting her help.

When Lacey’s finished, wiping at wet eyes with a shaky hand, Sal pushes out of the rocker, crosses the room and sits beside her.

“I knew there was something,” Sal whispers, her eyes glistening. She scoots close, gathering Lacey in her arms. “The way you talked when I first met you ...” She breaks off, her voice catching, but composes herself. “I’m so sorry you went through that, Lacey.” Sal smiles, her proud look seeping through Lacey like the warmest sunlight. “But I’m so glad I know. Thank you for telling me.”

Lacey smiles and squeezes Sal back. “You’re welcome.”

Later that night, Lacey slides into bed, phone in her hands. Scowling, she hides the Nashville Star article Emmy Lou had texted her earlier and turns her gaze toward the window. Fat snowflakes glitter across the night sky. The full moon hangs like a shiny dime.

Despite how great today went, she can’t help but feel lonely. Listless. Uninspired.

Sal’s party is over. What now?

The free time she enjoyed over Christmas, then strange and wonderful, is now scary and stale. It has her default mode switching on. Doubt. Worry. Anxiety. Colin’s job offer like a beacon of salvation. A way to fix her panic. Her life.

Shit.

She’s too alone with her thoughts.

But before they can spiral, the bedroom door opens and there stands Seth. A crooked grin on his face, his hair disheveled.

Lacey perks up. The sight of him like a shot of caffeine to her bloodstream, chasing away her doubts, ramping up her pulse.

“Sorry I’m late,” he says, kicking off his boots. In one quick flash, he’s crawling across the bed to softly kiss her lips. “Tired?”

“No.” Lacey cups his jaw. “How was your day?”

“Goddamn great.” Adjusting his position, Seth flops next to her. He pulls her close, curling her into his shoulder. “How ’bout you?”

“Fabulous.” She nuzzles his neck, relaxing into him. “The shower was perfect. Sal loved it.” She bites her lip. “Also, I told her about why I lived with her and Luke.”

Seth’s eyes widen. “Shit, Lace. How’d it go?” He watches her with interest, with worry.

“It went so good, Seth. I’m glad I did it.”

He exhales, reaching out to take her hand. “I’m proud of you.”

They lie in silence for a few minutes, Seth twirling a golden strand of her hair around his finger. Finally, his gaze on her, he drawls, “Ready for a little good news, bad news?”

She frowns. “What?”

“We’re gettin’ evicted.” He nods solemnly when she arches a brow. “Yep. Luke’s givin’ us the ol’ heave-ho.”

Shit.

Seth meant the news to be lighthearted, but suddenly, her mind cartwheels with worry. Regret soaks through her like a cold rain. What the hell has she been doing the last two weeks?

Pulling away from Seth, she grabs up her phone.

Seth runs a hand down the curve of her hip. “What’re you doin’?”

“I need a job.”

Flopping back in bed, she stares at the phone, overwhelmed by the prospect of suddenly starting over in Nashville. No reputation. No clients.

Once again, she thinks of Colin. Ugh, she’s an idiot. She could have a job right now. Stability. Money. Los Angeles. The beach.

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