Page 16 of Some Like It Fox

Finley’s eyes trace over the contents of my shopping cart, which has beer, frozen lasagna, and ice cream, and her lips purse. “So, uh, what are you doing for Christmas dinner, since your family is gone?”

I shrug. “No plans.”

She and Archer exchange a glance and then Finley speaks. “I have an empty seat if you’re interested. You’ll have to put up with a cranky billionaire, a lot of insanity, and Jake’s bad jokes.”

Archer chuckles, squeezing Finley’s shoulder. “If anything, it will be entertaining.”

“I’m not sure. I don’t want to intrude.”

Finley reaches out to touch my forearm. “Please. It’s the least we can do since you helped Taylor out yesterday.”

It would be better than being alone. It’s not like I have anything else to do.

I nod. “Count me in.”

ChapterFive

Six weeks later– February

Taylor

I knock on the half-open door before nudging it open the rest of the way. “Hey there, megafamous rock star.”

Luke is alone, sitting on a wooden bench, with his guitar in his lap and legs stretched out in front of him, his cowboy boots propped up on a stool.

He grins, setting the instrument to the side before standing and crossing over to draw me into a hug. “Hey, you. I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Wouldn’t miss your debut for anything.”

His brows lift, nearly hitting the shaggy, dirty-blond mop of hair brushing over his forehead. “Despite the fact that you’ll likely run into my better half?”

I wince but force my mouth to curve into a smile. “I am a master of avoidance. I’m not worried about it.”

We’re in the back room of the Mercury Lounge, a small but vibrant indie venue on the Lower East Side.

It’s the first night of Luke’s upcoming tour. My sister Mindy signed him to her record label, and they are newly dating. Even though Mindy and I aren’t on the best of terms, Luke is already like a brother. He’s sweet, charming, charismatic, and has a killer voice.

He tilts his head and considers me, his eyes gentle. “Forgiveness doesn’t mean ignoring what’s been done or minimizing your feelings about how you were treated. It takes a strong person to say they’re sorry, and an even stronger one to forgive.”

I knew he would stick up for her, but the words sting anyway. “I guess I’m a weakling.”

He winces. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone there, it’s not my place, I know that, and you are completely within your rights to smack me upside the head right now, it’s just—”

I wave a hand. “I know. You love Mindy. You want her to be happy. I get it.”

“I do, but I also want you to be happy. I owe you so much. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.”

“That’s not true.”

“Well, we wouldn’t be here as quickly if it weren’t for your intervention.”

I duck my head. “It was no big deal.”

Luke and Mindy were working on his first album when the producer she had arranged bailed. I hooked them up using some of my connections from the festival circuit.

Mindy had had no other options at the time because so many in the industry refused to work with her due to some stupid scandal with one of her clients, a very married musician.

I change the subject. “Tell me about your upcoming tour. Where are you going next?”

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