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I clear my throat. “We’re here together. We’re in all of this together. We don’t know what will happen with Wicked. But the least we can do is give these artists a chance to do what they do best.”
I round the table, stopping in front of them. “Tyler and my dad invited you here because they wanted to convince you they were the best people to take over Wicked. They wanted you to invite them in, but we haven’t invited you in, not really. I want to ask if you guys would play at the wedding today.”
They exchange a look, but it’s Finn who speaks.
“All this for a free wedding band?” he drawls.
Flash, the woman, clears her throat. “I think it’s a great idea. It’s been stressful as hell not knowing what will happen with the label.”
I cross to Finn. “This might be moot at this point because Tyler and my dad let the deal lapse. Because ownership thinks they can get another offer, which they probably won’t.”
“A company is only as good as its people. Even if you want to go it alone and look out for yourself, there will come a day you need someone to have your back. Tyler and my dad aren’t perfect, but they look out for artists in a way executives like Zeke never will.”
Finn frowns, looking past my shoulder.
“What if it’s not about the lawyers and the fine print?” I turn back to the table. “What if we record it and stream it so the other Wicked artists see it too?”
Beck shoots up in his chair. “Wait. You’re going to let me film something?”
* * *
“Thanks for taking care of this,”I say carefully to Rae as I step into the dress at her and Elle’s villa.
“It’s just a dress.” Her voice is flat, but she inspects it critically, her gaze lingering on every inch of fabric before she tugs gently at the hem to even it.
I turn to face her so when she straightens she can’t avoid my gaze. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Harrison.”
Rae looks gorgeous in a white, sleeveless linen dress that gathers above each shoulder, diving low on her chest. It skims smoothly over her hips and falls to the floor in a soft drape that makes her look younger. The bruises are gone from her wrists, but I still remember them.
“You don’t want me to ruin the wedding by bringing it up.” She exhales, head swiveling as her gaze searches the room, unseeing.
“Tyler’s been wanting to see this guy forever. I thought if I could get him here, everything would be great. But of course, life doesn’t work that way. It’s not perfect, and I get that. So, if you want to go over there and tell him right now, you have my support. Whatever you need from me, I’m here for you.”
Her lips purse. “I will confront him about it.”
I touch her arm. “Good. I have your back. I swear.”
Before she can answer, we’re interrupted.
“Stop being serious!” Elle demands, descending on us with glasses of wine.
Everyone is dressed in white except for me, and I love it. Elle’s dress is a flowy halter style. Pen’s is sleeveless with a bandeau top that shows off her shoulders.
“Knock knock,” Haley calls from the door before entering. She’s wearing white too, and Sophie’s in pink. My stepmom pulls up just inside the doorway, her hand pressed to her stomach as her eyes fill. “Annie. Oh my God.”
Haley’s reaction—especially given how rational she typically is—makes my throat tighten.
“It’s good?” I ask, holding out the skirt and turning in the mirror.
“It’s stunning. You’re stunning.”
Rae, Elle, and Pen duck out with an excuse about checking on flowers.
I turn back to the mirror, angling my head to see that my hair’s still all in place. It’s half pinned up and half down, the top portion secured with white jeweled pins that glint in the light.
Together with the dress, it feels like a recognition of the past and a promise of the future. The rich color sends emotion swirling through me every time I see it, every time I touch the silky fabric.
Haley stops behind me, her eyes shining in the mirror. “I still remember the first time I met you backstage at one of your dad’s shows. I’d wanted to see you for what felt like forever even though it was only a few weeks.”
