Page 119 of Ghost Note

I really wanted Danny, and the urgency of that want made me feel ten feet tall, as though I could just push off of the floor and burst through the roof before I flew myself to wherever he was, like a superhero who had only just discovered they could fly.

I could fly! I could if I just believed that I was capable of holding that kind of power.

The radio began to play another song that did nothing for me, and I immediately wanted to listen to Aztec Camera again to keep this feeling of invincibility alive. Moving, I ran through the corridor and swung myself around the bannister to charge upstairs for my phone, when a knock on the door stopped me in my tracks.

That knock was heavy and demanding, and it made me stare at the door for a heartbeat too long before I ran back down the stairs and opened it to reveal Julia Speed standing there with a bright, white smile on her face.

She wore tight, light blue jean shorts, a white vest, and a bright red cropped blazer that matched her red lipstick. She was beyond beautiful, standing opposite me who hadn’t even washed that day.

“Jules? What are you… what are you doing here? I thought you’d gone.”

“Corey wanted to see the pirates at the festival.” She gestured over her shoulder towards the beach, and even though I was at my home, I could hear the celebrations of the day filling the sky around us. “That’s quite an interesting thing they have going on down there.”

“I know. It’s so weird.” I frowned and shook my head. “I’m sorry, did you need something?”

“Yeah, to make sure you’re okay.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. I looked for you today. Then someone told me you weren’t going to the festival, even though it’s the biggest day of the year around here for you guys. So, I thought… you know… I’d like to see if you’re all right for myself.”

“Sure. I-I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because Danny left yesterday, and you’re obviously still madly in love with him.”

Her words hit me in the chest.

“Aren’t you, Daisy?”

“Insanely so,” I admitted, no longer capable of lying to her or myself.

She smiled, full of knowledge and sympathy. This woman had so much grace and style, it was impossible not to love her, and even after only a few meetings now, I understood how she’d been the one to capture the attention of the notorious Rhett Ryan.

“Yeah, I’m in love with him.” I shuffled on my feet and curled my arms around the waist of my ratty, old T-shirt after brushing the hair back from my face. “And he’s gone. So, no, I guess I’m not quite as okay as I made out, but it is what it is, right?”

“And what is it?” She raised a brow.

“Danny’s famous and I’m not.”

She took a careful step forward. “Fame is just a job. It’s no different to you working at the shop. It’s a part of Danny’s occupation. That fame doesn’t mean he’s incapable of giving you a good life—a life you could never imagine or allow for yourself normally because you’re clearly not that selfish. It just means that he needs someone like me to help him stay safe. If you needed me to do the same for you, I hope you know that I would… without hesitation.”

I studied her brown eyes which were full of sincerity. “Why are you so nice to me?”

“You’re a good person, and Danny is besotted with you.” She laughed. “He’s a different guy when you’re around. I’ve seen sides of him this week that I never could have imagined would exist. Happy sides, mature sides… in love sides. You’re good for him. I’ve enjoyed watching him look more alive than he has in the last few years I’ve known him. What’s good for him is good for the band.”

Glancing down at my bare feet, I took a moment to rock on my heels and blow out a breath.

That chill of change rolled up my neck again, making every hair on my body rise in preparation.

“You have my number still, right?” she asked. I nodded in response before I looked up again. “Use it.” She smiled before she reached up to squeeze my arm and offered me another smile. “You’ve got a gorgeous home here in Hope Cove, Daisy. I can understand why you’re reluctant to leave, but take it from me… there’ssomuch more out there for you to discover, and nothing beats discovering it with someone you love.”

With a parting wink, Julia turned on her heels and made her way back to the car I hadn’t even noticed at the end of the pathway. The window went down on the passenger side to reveal Rhett looking as handsome as ever, with his hair a shaggy mess and hisRay Ban-style aviator sunglasses covering his eyes.

“See your sweet arse around, Daisy,” he cried out to me. “I hope!”

Huffing out a laugh, I waved weakly, suddenly completely embarrassed by the way I was dressed and the state of my hair and unwashed face.

They soon drove off, leaving me to watch another car disappearing up the road, and I couldn’t understand why I felt so sad to say goodbye to people I didn’t even really know. People I really wished I could spend more time with.

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