A goner before I’d even known I’d been struck.
I should have known that’s what would happen when I let Richard Ramsey invade my space.
I wondered if she could see it as she approached, Richard’s sister coming up the sidewalk, wearing shorts and a pretty, flowy tank and wedge heels, blonde hair falling around her shoulders. If she’d notice the way I shifted and tried to hide the evidence of the flush I could feel climbing to my cheeks. If his touch might be glowing on my skin like it felt like it was.
Hell, he might as well have been dipping those wicked hands in paint and leaving the proof all over my skin.
“You beat us,” Emily said, the woman exuding happiness.
I smoothed out the skirt of my sundress. “Just by a minute.”
She had her arms out, reaching for me by the time she was two feet away. She squeezed me in a fierce hug. “I missed you.”
Light laughter rumbled out, affection so thick, my mind so muddled that I had no idea what to do. I pulled back so I could grip her by the hands, voice thick with emotion. “I saw you just two days ago.”
“And that’s far too long.” She squeezed my hands tighter. “How is Daisy?”
“As rambunctious as ever. Apparently, there isn’t a thing that will slow that child down.”
Laughing, Mel edged in for a quick hug. “For real, Vi. I am in straight awe of you. That child is a whip. Nothing but a firecracker. I swear, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when she was trying to convince you she was just fine. You have your hands full with that adorable thing.”
I tugged at a piece of my hair. “There’s a solid chance I’m going gray.”
She giggled and stepped back, her tawny hair held in a sleek ponytail that swished around her shoulders. A coy grin split her pretty face. “Oh, don’t even talk to me about goin’ gray. At least you don’t have to deal with the nonsense of the boys in that band day after day. Good god, I’m lucky I haven’t stroked out. Between Rhys and his constant carousin’, brute nothing but a publicity nightmare, and Richard’s grumbly, brooding ass, it’s a wonder I manage to get any of them out on a stage.”
I ignored the panging in my heart at the mention of his name. “I think she’s askin’ for a raise,” I teased, glancing at Emily.
Emily giggled. “Oh, don’t worry, with the new deal, I’d say she’s sittin’ pretty.”
Mel quirked a brow. “Barely enough to deal with the two of them. I deserve trauma pay.”
“Well, I guess if it’s so horrible, we can find a replacement,” Emily said, words droll. “I wouldn’t want to put you in the position of having to do something you don’t want to do.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Mel shot out, hand over her heart.
“I just don’t want my best friend to be miserable or anything. I know how much you hate Rhys.” Her brows lifted in suggestion.
I suppressed a giggle. I had no idea how those two hadn’t spit out ten babies by now. Rhys and Mel had always gone round and round like kids on a playground. Rhys might as well have pulled her hair and told her she was ugly with the way that boy chased her around.
Of course, Rhys had a reputation. Women for days, and on most of those days, he was takin’ two or three. But as much as he flirted with Mel, she’d never given in. I’d always figured she didn’t want to be another number. A sideshow. Looking at her now, I doubted very much any of that had changed.
“Rhys is still the same? Actin’ a fool?”
“A blubberin’ idiot is what that boy is,” she grumbled.
“And you get to walk down the aisle with him.” Emily giggled, biting her bottom lip when she said it.
“Shoot me now,” Mel said.
“No can do. I need you for the wedding.”
“I see what’s important.” Mel was laughing when she said it. “I demand a new partner.”
“Fine. Rhys can walk with poor Maggie here. Welcome to the family.” Emily shot Maggie a playful wink.
Maggie blushed. “I think I can handle him.”
“Oh no, poor girl won’t know what hit her,” Melanie said, words wry.
Maggie had been hanging back, watching us, taking us in, so quiet and shy and cute. I raised my hand in a small wave. “It’s nice to see you again, Maggie.”
“Same.” She hugged me in another one of those warm embraces. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
I edged back, catching the expression on her face.
Worry.
Understanding.
This young girl’s spirit was obviously much older than her given years.
“You have?”
Her tongue swept across her lips in discomfort. “It was really hard watching your fear that evening. When she fell. I saw your face.”
She winced.
Her compassion was stark.