Page 38 of Quiver

“I know you’re a successful and fully grown woman, but you and Fletcher, it wasn’t just a high school crush. You two …” She shook her head, and Kylie couldn’t blame her for not being able to find the words. “When you left, you both changed, maybe for the better, but it seems unrealistic to expect all that icy water under the bridge won’t become a problem at some point.”

“I don’t disagree,” she admitted without flinching, “but I’m the person who imposed on Fletcher, so I don’t get to make the call. Besides, we’ve both thrown ourselves into our jobs as adults, and what we’re doing right now is much more an extension of that than anything from back then. It’s a weird confluence of events that our work crossed paths, but we are both working right now.”

Her mom looked as if she wanted to say more, and maybe a part of Kylie wanted her to. Lord knows she wasn’t having these kinds of conversations with anyone else, but instead, her mom forced a smile. “I’m sure you know more about your work than anyone else.”

She wasn’t at all sure, but she didn’t need to pile onto her worries. “Thanks.”

“Do you want me to make you something for dinner before we go?”

“No, I’ll figure something out.”

“There’s not much in the freezer.”

She actually did smile at her mother’s subtle reminder she didn’t know how to cook so much as reheat things.

“Hey, I know.” Her mom brightened. “You could call in an order at the diner. I know you know how to order takeout. I’m sure if you pop in, your adoring fans won’t overwhelm you all at once.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know I’m not like Elvis or the Beatles.”

“You’re more talented than any of them, but I’d feel better if you had plans, even if they aren’t as fun as mine.”

She stood and shook out her sore limbs. Maybe she had been moping around a bit too much if her mom was worried about basic feeding and socialization. “I do need to call my agent. Would it make you feel better if I got takeout and talked to Mimi tonight?”

Her mom pursed her lips together, then nodded as though she found the idea acceptable if not exactly thrilling. “And you know where the Collinses live.”

“I do,” she agreed without saying she’d rather shove needles under her fingernails than go back to Ava’s family’s home.

She’d been aware of her flagging prospects and precarious career for a long time, but she hadn’t thought she’d slipped into the realm of pathetic until now. No job, no plans, no dinner, and the only invite on the table was a mercy offer to play third wheel with her parents and their neighbors.

She threw on her coat, stocking cap, and boots, not even stopping to do her makeup. She wouldn’t be caught out in New York looking like this, but even if there were any paparazzi still interested in her, they’d hardly recognize the Vermont winter version of her as she stepped outside and into the softly falling snow.

Pulling her phone from her pocket, she pushed the buttons to call Mimi quickly, then pulled on her gloves.

“Where are you?” Mimi asked without any preamble.

“Um, still up north.”

“It’s been weeks. Can’t you ride a horse yet?”

“I’m actually good on horse—”

“Then what’s the problem? Have you heard from Talia Stamos? Do you have a callback date yet?”

“No. No word.”

“Do you even have cell signal from the woods?”

“I called you.”

“Right, well are you ready to go the moment she calls?”

“Not exactly.”

“Kylie, are you trying to kill us both?”

“No.”

“Look, you know I love you.”