“Not really an answer. He is basically the hottest guy on the planet. A guy who used to be very much in love with you. And he wants you to move in with him?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“And it’s too fast, why?”
“I have a career. I have a life in Dallas. I have people.” Although I couldn’t think of any of them at the moment.
“Right. And you’re going to tell me for the past eight years you haven’t thought about Blake Wyatt?”
I shook my head. “Every day.”
“Then go with him.”
“I wish it was that easy.”
“Maybe it is, girl.”
I looked at my friend. From her view it was simple. But from where I was sitting, it was anything but. Life with Blake couldn’t be more complicated.
24
Sierra
A few hours later I looked up from one of the cardboard boxes I had packed full of salt and pepper shakers. Emily was knee deep in casserole dishes.
“I had no idea your aunt had so much stuff.”
“Me either.”
The sun was starting to go down.
“How about a glass of wine?” I offered. “We should take a break.”
Emily smiled. “That sounds good, but what do you think about going to the Dock House?”
“Really? You want to drive over there?”
“Yes. Let’s go. We could never get in when we were in high school. There’s always music.”
“I might have gone earlier in the week with Blake.”
She laughed. “Of course you did. Want to go with your friend?”
I looked at her. “I’d love to. Let’s do it.”
“I’ll drive,” she offered. “I remember what a light weight you used to be.”
“Hey.” I took pretend offense.
As soon as we arrived I scanned the deck full of people crowding in front of the Dock House stage. There were sunburned tourists everywhere.
“I’ve never seen so many people here. This band must be really good,” Emily commented.
There were no drums or other musical equipment on the stage—only a couple amps and a microphone in the center—and crisscross lights were strung over the platform.
A hush seemed to settle over the crowd, but it was disturbed when one of the groupies up front began to squeal. “Here he comes!”
A tall form ambled across the dark stage to the center and turned his back to the concertgoers. I could make out the outline of a guitar strapped on the singer’s back, but nothing more.