Page 120 of Pink and Country

“Yeah, no worries. Must be the lack of sleep. With the moving and my assistant being away on maternity leave, I’m knackered. Going back to Bedfordshire again. Be safe and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“I have to go anyway. Will you or Reed be able to feed Bernice for a few days?”

“Yes. I’d watch your ugly ball of fur anytime if it means you’re getting laid. Have a nice flight.” She paused. “And April, I’m proud of you. You deserve to be happy. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Another piece of my heart fell into place.

We landed in Seattle early in the afternoon. Ed had arranged for a car to pick us up. My plan was to wait inside Carter’s dressing room before his show and surprise him. Nothing excessive. I didn’t do complicated. My mind surfed back to last night. Through his parents, Travis gave me his blessing to be happy again. It made me itch to scream “I’m free” at the tops of my lungs.

New day. New me. New goal.

* * *

Dressed in a sexy black laced dress with a plunging neckline that ended mid-thigh, and golden pumps I found in a store in downtown Seattle when Taylor and I went shopping earlier, I sat in Carter’s dressing room. Waiting.

The dress wasn’t as sophisticated as the gown I wore at the fundraiser or the sequin designer number from Nashville, but it fitted in my budget and looked great on me. It showed just enough skin to drive Carter crazy. By now, I knew the man’s weaknesses. And right now, I was playing with them. On purpose. And I liked that.

My phone chimed, breaking the silence.

Ed: Carter’s on his way.

I held my breath. The hammering of my heart deafened me. I fidgeted with the gold band on my right ring finger—the wedding band Travis gave me that I wore as a good-luck charm. I never took it off. Just switched it hands a year after he passed.

On the white leather sofa, sitting with my legs crossed at the ankles, I waited, my back straight, my hands clapped between my knees. My pulse escalated.

My heart heaved at the sound of the voices on the other side of the door. I smoothed my hair with my fingers.

The door opened, and Ed peeked inside, scanning the room. He gave me a small nod and moved aside to let Carter in. Busy scrolling on his phone, Carter failed to notice me. His thumbs tapped the screen in quick motions. The chime of my phone startled both of us.

Our eyes locked.

Without breaking eye contact, I sucked in a silent breath and fished my phone out of my purse and read the message Carter sent me seconds ago.

Carter: Wish you were here.

My fingers traveled on the keyboard.

Me: Wish you could see your face right now.

Carter: My eyes are playing tricks on me. I see you everywhere.

I bit my tongue to avoid smiling.

Me: What would you do to me if I were there?

A storm passed through his eyes. My pulse quickened.

Carter: Dirty things. Real dirty.

My fingers tapped on their own.

Me: Show me.

I kept a stony face.

Carter cocked his head and studied me, seriousness dripping from his features, then brought his attention back to his phone.