Page 44 of Some Like It Fox

“Of course.”

“Thanks. Music helps me decompress. Or peps me up, when I need that. Or helps me think.”

“It’s an all-inclusive emotion enhancer.”

“That is the truth.” I push some buttons until Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” plays through the speakers.

While Atticus reverses out of the parking spot, I shut my eyes and lean back in the seat.

There’s something about a reggae beat that’s relaxing. The music reminds me of summers at the lake and relaxing with the sun beating down on my body with nothing to worry about except putting on more sunscreen and waking up for lunch.

Atticus, bless him, isn’t compelled to fill the space with chatter. It’s like he understands me. Kind of like how he stood behind me and offered support without intervening when I had to deal with those asshole customers. It’s like he knows what I need better than I do.

Not to mention how he knows my body better than I do.

Warmth pools low in my belly, ready for a repeat.

But my brain cuts through the arousal.He didn’t call.

He was out tonight, with Eve.

When the vehicle rolls to a stop, I blink my eyes open and shift my head to look at Atticus. I’m not ready to leave yet. It’s comfortable in this space with him, despite it all. And I need answers. Why didn’t he call? Is it because of Eve, or is there something else?

Atticus angles toward me, his head back against the headrest, his eyes warm on mine. “Tired?”

“Exhausted. So exhausted, I don’t think I can move from this spot. Maybe I’ll sleep here.”

He chuckles. “You had a long night. Do you regret agreeing to manage Veronica’s while she’s away?”

I mimic his posture, aiming my body in his direction. “Honestly, I enjoyed tonight more than I thought I would.”

“Even with the asshole?”

“Yeah. Even then. It was sort of satisfying to solve difficult problems, you know? It made it more exciting.” I wasn’t bored, that’s for sure. Boredom leads to thinking too much, dwelling too much on things I can’t change, thinking about the past and everything that drove me away from Whitby in the first place.

“But not as exciting as a music festival?”

I grin. “Adding live music would make it almost perfect. Everything is better with music.”

His eyes fix on mine with genuine curiosity. “Why? Other than the emotion-enhancing abilities.”

“It’s hard to explain. Experiencing music with other people is like”—I wave a hand, searching for the words—“it’s collective effervescence. That feeling you get when you’re experiencing something amazing with a group of people. It’s almost like transcendence. It’s probably the same thing people feel in church or watching a beloved football team score a touchdown with a million other fans, cheering together. There’s a synchrony to our bodies, our thoughts, our feelings.”

His gaze goes thoughtful. “You should bring the music here.”

I blink. “What?”

“Finley told me how you helped Luke and Mindy by bringing Laila here. How you’ve made all these connections from the festivals. You could do that for yourself, bring artists to play here, at Veronica’s.”

I stare at him. The idea worms its way into my mind, taking root. “Oh, I couldn’t.”

His brows lift. “Why not?”

My mind immediately spins through what it would take to make it happen.

It would be a lot of work. I wouldn’t even know where to start.

Veronica would have to be okay with it. Who would I even ask to come here to play? What about the audience? Could I get some friends and influencers to show up and spread the word? To what end, though?

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