Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 69266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“You can do this. I’m always a phone call away, Tes.”
I wasn’t sure that I’d helped her anxiety about what was happening, but I couldn’t fix it all either. I’d stay on for the bigger ones that Tessi needed help with. Lubbock was still home, and it was my brother’s winery after all. But I was excited to head to New York and work on bigger and bolder weddings. Making all my dreams come true.
“I’m glad you’re not leaving full-time. Because I am not you, Nora Abbey,” Tessi said with a laugh.
“You’re not me. But you’re Tessi, and you’re going to do magical things. I believe in you.”
Tessi beamed. “Thanks.”
A knock sounded at my door, and I looked up to find Hollin standing in the doorway. “Hey, can I borrow you a minute?”
“Sure.” I handed Tessi another file. “Look over all this and let me know if you have any questions.”
I strode out of the office and followed Hollin through the cellars.
“What’s going on? Not reconsidering taking my two-week notice, are you?”
Hollin rolled his eyes. “Definitely not. You’re staying as long as you want. If you become big and famous like Campbell, then we’ll talk about it again.”
I snorted. “No one is as famous as Campbell.”
“Good. Then, it’s settled.”
I rolled my eyes. Typical.
We headed up from the cellars toward the barn. It was a beautiful May afternoon. Not a cloud in the sky. Hardly even any wind, and in Lubbock, that was a feat. It made me want to ride with the windows down and the music blasting. It made me want to live again.
Except none of it was the same since West had left. I was trying to be myself again. It had only been about three weeks. So, I gave myself grace to feel sad. The new job had definitely helped. But it didn’t make it all go away. Living without him was harder than it ever should have been.
I still hadn’t figured out what to do about the plants. I didn’t have my own place, and so I’d gone over every few days to water. Only bringing over the most delicate plants to my dad’s house. He’d side-eyed me but let it go. Hollin must have spoken to him because he’d given me my space since then.
Mostly, I just missed West.
I missed having him to come home to every day.
I missed his laugh and the little face he’d made when I was being ridiculous and the way he’d insisted on driving me around.
I missed his hands.
It was crazy to miss someone’s hands. But his were perfect. Callous from playing instruments his whole life. Big and strong and careful and caring and adoring.
I sighed as we neared the barn. The world might keep turning, but I was stuck in the past.
“Nora?” Hollin asked.
“Yeah? Sorry. I zoned out.”
“It’s fine. What were you thinking about?”
My cheeks colored. “Nothing. What were you saying?”
“You know I love you, right?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Yeah. What’s going on? Are you up to something?”
He snorted. “So much for me trying to be nice.”
“We’re siblings. Nice isn’t the first word I’d use to describe our affection.”
“I wasn’t being an asshole. Just go inside.”
“Why?”
He shook his head and walked away.
“Hollin?” I called after him.
But he didn’t turn around. I took one step after him but stopped when I heard music coming from inside the barn.
My stomach dropped, and a hand went to my heart. I turned slowly back to face the barn door. I knew that song. I’d heard it in my house as Weston’s fingers moved effortlessly across the keys. I knew it as my own.
But it wasn’t possible.
With a gulp, I pulled open the door and stepped inside.
Weston was sitting in front of a piano on the Wright Vineyard stage, singing my song.
31
Nora
My hands went to my face as tears came to my eyes.
The tears I’d sworn I’d never cry again.
But that all went out the window with what was in front of me. Weston was here. He was in Lubbock, at the winery, on the stage…for me.
His fingers coaxed the piano to life. His vocals came out almost haunted through the microphone. And the melody that had lulled me into love with him wrapped itself around me.
And the rest of the band was there. Santi tapping out a soft drumbeat. Viv adding a low bass beat. Yorke strumming a refrain on his guitar. And my brother, the lead singer and bona fide rockstar, stood in the back with a guitar strapped to him as he sang backup. Actual backup to West’s vocals.
He winked at me when I caught his eye. Had West told him? Had he found out? What was he even doing here if he knew? Shouldn’t he be furious? I couldn’t comprehend how this had all come to be.
But I could focus on nothing as I stood frozen, listening to West sing about me. I’d never had a song written about me. Definitely not one performed by Cosmere of all things. There was no way this was happening.