A Winter Wedding

“If I was the one he wanted, he’d make it plain. There wouldn’t be all this suspicion and angst and heartbreak, right?”


Obviously recognizing the doubt that had crept into her voice, he gave her a kind smile. “I’m sorry.”

She felt a familiar lump rise in her throat but fought the tears that went with it. “You understand how it feels, don’t you? That it hurts like hell?”

“I do.”

“Great. We have heartbreak in common.” She laughed humorlessly. “Any chance you could bring home another bottle of wine when you get off work tonight?”

“I can manage that. But will you be okay here alone?”

Did he think she might hurt herself? She hoped not, but she could see why he’d wonder. He didn’t know her well enough to determine how she might react to what she was going through. “Of course. I’ve never been suicidal, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Good. Because you have a lot to live for. Remember your new album? It’s going to shoot you into the stratosphere. So maybe you should get started on it.”

She frowned, implying that she wasn’t too sure she could tackle such a big challenge at the moment.

“Working might take your mind off...things. Provide an outlet,” he went on.

Her feelings were too raw to be able to concentrate. She’d checked her phone before getting in the shower. Derrick hadn’t tried to reach her. She’d thought, after the way they’d ended their conversation last night, he’d call first thing this morning to say he’d told Crystal she’d have to find another manager. It was two hours later in Nashville, almost eleven. He had to be up. And yet he hadn’t even texted her.

Were they really over? After three years and the hope that they’d soon be married?

It was almost inconceivable that so much could change so fast. How could he do this to her, on top of the huge helping of disappointment she’d been served in the past year? He knew what she was dealing with, and yet he didn’t seem to care. All he could talk about—when she overheard him talking to others—was how talented Crystal was. It felt as if the whole music industry had turned its attention to Crystal and forgotten about her.

“I’ll try,” she said, but as soon as Kyle left, she barely cast her guitar a glance before crawling back into bed.





6

After a brief hello to Morgan, who updated him on how production was going in the plant, Kyle went straight to his office, closed the door and searched the internet for HVAC companies in the area. Lourdes seemed to be okay with staying at his place for a few more days. He could drop the matter, just wait for Owen to show up next week. But he suspected that wasn’t the best or smartest decision. Feeling that the man she loved was passing her over for another woman left Lourdes in a vulnerable position—and considering how his body had reacted when he saw her in that towel, he was in a vulnerable position, too. He didn’t want what had started out as a promising friendship to take a wrong turn. But there was always the threat. He’d gone without sex long enough that he was thinking about it too often and at inappropriate times and places. That wouldn’t help him maintain much discretion about who he got involved with.

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