Whiskey and Country

“I hope.”

Riley and June, Carter’s management team—Riley being my ex-manager and my friend—walked in. I smiled, grateful for the interruption, keeping me safe from the ache I got whenever I walked down memory lane. Stud, my ex-bandmate, and his wife Belinda followed close behind.

We exchanged a few words, and I directed them to the bar.

Addison, in full party-organizer mode, was busy talking to the caterer.

It suited her. This job. She had always loved throwing parties and having people over. She worked as a graphic designer in Atlanta, a few hours’ drive from here. She was great at her job but excelled at being a people person. Whenever we saw each other, it was like no time had passed. I missed having her in my everyday life.

Carter arrived next, and all my worries faded away. Almost all my favorite people in the world were here. In my bridal shop. Celebrating the realization of my new venture with me.

Nick came back the moment Carter joined me.

“Hey Carter. Nice to see you again,” my new friend said, extending a palm in his direction.

Carter’s face turned to stone as he shook Nick’s hand.

“Likewise. Dahlia forgot to tell me you were coming.”

Nick’s smile didn’t falter. “Last minute invite.” I fought the urge to wrap an arm around Nick’s midsection, staking my claim. Carter was acting like a child.

“Carter is not always that broody,” I said with a shrug, trying to ease the tension between the two men now eyeing each other as if they were reenacting an old western movie, ready for a duel.

Carter brought his glass of water to his lips. “Yeah, it only started a few days ago.”

I pushed his chest. “Enough, already. Come on, Nick, let me introduce you to some of the most important people in my life.”

He nodded and followed me, exchanging words and joking around with Riley and Stud and complimenting June on her dress.

My ex-manager took him under his wings, and Belinda neared me, pulling me aside. “Dahlia, what you did with the store is pretty amazing. It’s very much like you.” I followed her gaze as she nodded her approbation to the wall of heels, all higher or shinier than the others, the dark recycled-wood ceilings matching the floors, the powder blue walls. She leaned closer. “Who’s the guy?” she asked, pointing her chin toward her husband, who was talking with Nick.

“A friend. We met last week. Somehow, we hit it off.”

“Are you guys dating?”

I took a big gulp of my champagne hurriedly and shook my head. “Gosh, why is everyone assuming we are?”

“Come on, Dahlia, it’s me. I know you. We’ve been on the road for months together. I can perceive your feelings. And right now, I would have to be blind to not see the sexual tension floating between you two. Both of you can’t keep your eyes off each other. I would’ve bet you’ve known him for a long time and that you hid his existence from us. I’m surprised you’ve never mentioned him before.”

I lifted my hands before me. “We just met. I swear.”

Belinda sipped her drink and waggled her eyebrows. “If you say so.”

“I swear. He’s hot, right?” I let out a warm laugh.

“Oh yes. Girl, you know how to pick them.”

We both chuckled as we glanced at the guys, all friendly, Stud clapping Nick’s shoulder as they laughed about something.

My friend leaned closer. “Don’t worry about Carter, okay? I’ll ask Stud to talk to him. And I might even drill some sense into him myself. He usually confides in me when you’re not around.”

I bowed my head. Carter’s feelings for me were out in the open. They weren’t some dirty secrets only I was aware of. “Thanks, Belle.” I sighed. “I hate breaking his heart. And for some reason, I keep doing it without meaning to.”

We drank our champagne side by side, watching the interactions.

“Don’t worry. It will all turn out fine. For everyone.”

After I showed a famous designer around, one I hoped would agree to put one of her exclusive lines here, Carter cornered me by the dressing rooms.

“Dah, why did you bring him here? Don’t you think it’s too early to introduce him to everyone? Next thing I know, he’ll be having breakfast with Jack.”

I pulled at Carter’s hand, his face a mixture of anguish and calm—as I guessed it would be—and walked him farther from everyone else.

“Cart, you don’t get to decide who I can and cannot hang out with. It doesn’t work like this. Nobody said anything about Jack entering the equation yet, okay?”

Staring at his feet, Carter nodded. When he lifted his eyes to search mine, I saw the spectrum of his pain waltzing through them, his melted-steel irises darkening. “Dah, it’s too soon.”

“It’s been three years, Cart. I’m not a nun. The last thing I want is to spend the rest of my life alone and sad. I want to thrive. To love. To do all the things I’ve dreamed of.”

“I want them for you too. But not with him.”

“Gosh, I can’t believe we’re having this conversation right now. Right here. You knew it was bound to happen someday. Carter, I am not replacing you in my heart. My love for you isn’t something that can be pushed away or swapped. It’s yours. Forever. You should be aware of that by now. But there’s a place for someone else in it too. One day. I’m not your person in the way you want me to be. But I’m your person in every other way. For now, I’m just being Nick’s friend. I can’t predict what will happen in the future, but I owe myself the right to see where this thing will take me. If he wishes it too.”

With a long inhale, I blinked my tears away. Now wasn’t the time to have a meltdown.

I sighed, not in the mood to fight with my best friend over another guy.

Carter hugged me, and our hearts meshed together, beating to the same rhythm. The way they’d been doing all our lives. My friend was right. If I was in love with him, everything would be so simpler. His heartbeat rocked mine until it calmed down.

“Cart, let me prove to myself I can still do this. Date. Have fun. Trust someone else with my heart who’s not you—”

“Dah—”

Addison disturbed the moment, and I thanked her in my head. “Sorry, guys. My timing sucks. But, Dah, it’s time for your toast. The servers have started passing amuse-bouches around.” She pivoted to face Carter, her long blonde ponytail sweeping my face as she turned around. “Hey Cart, nice to see you. It’s been too long.” They hugged and kissed each other’s cheeks. “Now come on, you two, and stop hiding in here.”

Carter’s eyes said what his mouth didn’t. This conversation isn’t over.

Mine answered. Yes, it is. You’re wrong about Nick. Trust me on this.

He’s not right for you.

In your eyes, nobody will ever be.

Carter blinked, and I added. It doesn’t have to be this way.

He cocked his head to the side, telling me he was done talking. For now.

Addison led me to the front of all the people gathered in my shop, and I forced a smile on my face. My stomach still reeled from the discussion with Carter. I swallowed and exhaled. I could do this. With my fingertips, I wiped the corners of my eyes, making sure I had no mascara smudges on my face. Then I relaxed my shoulders and followed my friend.

“Hi everybody. Thanks for coming and celebrating this special moment with me. It means a lot. I hope you’re having a great night.” I paused to catch my breath. “I have moments of stage fright.” People laughed. “Yeah, I know how it sounds, but it was usually Cart who did all the talking back in the days. Most times, I stood there with my heart running wild until we started playing. True story. Not sure if I’ve ever admitted it to anyone but those guys,” I said, pointing to my ex-bandmates and manager. “Anyway, I’m sure Carter will take over if I freeze.”