Epilogue
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It’s been a month since Nancy came home from the hospital, and being her roommate is the life I didn’t know I needed.
Rose found out about my identity after seeing us together in the hospital, and oftentimes now we feel like the three musketeers, watching Jeopardy together, painting our nails, and they’re even taking turns teaching me how to cook.
Paparazzi found us at the new location and have been seen around town, but they don’t live on the sidewalk anymore. I get the feeling eventually they’ll die down too.
Maybe that’s partially because of the security detail we’ve hired. There was a sense of freedom being at the music festival last month and having bodyguards maintaining our privacy, and while it’s not the most ideal way to live, it’s the next best thing.
It means having Benny in my life.
Which we are thoroughly enjoying right now, collaborating on songs and piecing together an album ripe with country sounds that feel more like what I want to be putting out into the world.
I’m getting back to my roots, singing what I set out to sing in the beginning.
Songs of empowerment, happiness, and love.
Benny sings three of the songs with me, and if we ever get this album on tour, he’s going to enjoy taking the stage with me again for part of the set.
Our experience together at the music festival reminded him how much he enjoys the stage. We’re finding a balance.
Like now, as Colby stays with Nancy so Benny and I can travel to New York for Zoey’s engagement party.
She gave in and they went full on with the lobster theme.
Tag’s family house in the Hamptons is all dressed in light blue and white with red accents.
Zoey looks fantastic in a ruby red dress, her hair long and sleek down her back.
“Have you seen Tag?” she asks, sliding up to stand with me and Benny. “He’s supposed to be in the backyard so we can get started on the speeches.”
“I’m sure he stepped out with Skip.”
“Are these real names?” Benny asks.
Zoey cracks a smile. “Yeah. It’s short for Taggart.”
“I’ll go look upstairs,” I offer.
“Thanks.”
Benny takes my hand and we head to the foyer, climbing the grand, sweeping staircase. Tag’s laughter flows down the hall, loud and abrasive.
“Found him.”
I glance at Benny, surprised he can tell Tag’s laugh after only knowing him for an afternoon. It is that annoying, though. It kind of sticks in your head.
Benny tugs on my hand before we reach the door where we can hear Tag laughing. “Hey. I haven’t had much time with you.”
“How are you doing?” It can’t be easy for him.
He’s been stopped by at least five people during this party alone, raving about how much they used to love his music, how fun it was to see videos of him on stage at the music festival, how they hope he’s coming out with new music soon.
He’s been gracious, but I know it’s not his favorite thing.
“Honestly? Not as bad as I thought. How was seeing your mom?”
I draw in a breath, leaning against him as his arms go around my waist. “Could’ve gone better. She’s already drinking too much, but that’s typical for these types of things. My dad’s here with the child fiancée, after all, and that always sends my mom into a tailspin.”
“I’m sorry.”
I shrug. “She’s pretending our conversation never happened and won’t talk about anything relating to the music industry with me, so we aren’t normal yet. But at least she’s not giving me the silent treatment.”
“That’s good.” He says it like a question.
I lean into him. “We’ve made progress. That’s what counts.”
Benny leans down, kissing me softly, and everything feels right in the world. The front door of the house opens, and the familiar barking sound makes my chest swell.
Breaking away, I glance down into the foyer. “Peanut!”
Noah holds the door open, my dog carrier in one hand while Cat comes in holding their baby girl, who’s looking with wide eyes at all the bright lights in the massive entryway. The chandelier grabs her attention, and she’s mesmerized.
“Hey, B.” Noah looks amused. “Nice to see you too.”
“Grab Tag?” I ask Benny, heading for the stairs.
“You got it.”
I hurry down, giving Noah, Cat, and Stella each a quick hug before kneeling to open Peanut’s carrier. She leaps onto my lap, barking in a frenzy and licking my chin. “Hello, baby.” I look up at my sister-in-law. “Was she good for you?”
“You know how much she loves Noah.” Cat laughs, pushing her blonde hair over her shoulder. “She was fine.”
“I owe you both. The second you want a getaway, I’ll be there.
” I stand, reaching for Stella as Peanut runs circles my feet.
Cat hands the baby over and my entire body squeezes with affection.
She’s holding her head up well, which is a vast improvement over the last time I saw her.
In Stella’s defense, she was only a week old then.
“You and I can hang out together, huh, baby girl?”
“We might take you up on that in like a year.” Cat reaches into her diaper bag for Chapstick and spreads it over her lips. “For now, she’s a little young.”
“Name the date.” I breathe in the sweet, clean baby smell. “I’ve got your clothes in my car, Cat. Remind me before you leave and I’ll put them in your trunk.”
She laughs. “No worries.” Her attention is drawn to the stairs where Benny is walking down now, one hand in his pocket. He looks like he stepped off an ad for menswear and I’m all about it, but his expression is guarded. “I’m glad you ran away. Things worked out well for you.”
My smile widens when Benny reaches me, bringing his familiar scent, and draws me under his arm. I look up at him, my grin widening. “Agreed. I couldn’t possibly be happier.”
His smile is forced. “Good to see you.”
“This is my wife, Catalina,” Noah says.
“Everyone calls me Cat.”
Benny nods, but he’s acting weird.
I look up at the balcony where Tag is coming, his mega white smile shining down on us brilliantly. “What happened?”
“Hm?” Benny follows my gaze. “Oh, nothing. Just kind of awkward.”
“With Tag?”
“It’s nothing,” he repeats, smiling at me. “I’ll talk to you about it later.”
Tag gives Noah a wave but heads into the party without stopping to chat, which is also weird. But if Benny thought it was okay to explain right now, he would have. Unease wriggles within me.
“Should we head in?” Noah asks, letting out a sigh that proves how badly he wants to escape.
Cat takes his hand. “We’ll have fun. Let’s go find Zoey.”
He nods, taking Stella and pressing a kiss to her head. They head inside, leaving Peanut’s carrier on the floor.
I crouch to pick my dog up, nuzzling her soft head. She must have been groomed recently because she smells great. “Peanut, it’s time for you to meet the other most important person in my life.”
She gives a little bark, and Benny laughs. He rubs between her ears, making her like him instantly. “Other?” he says, like he wants clarification.
“Okay, so Peanut’s not a person, but she means the world to me.” I kiss him. “Just like you.”
“As long as you don’t abandon me with your brother and go hide out for a month, we’re good.”
My laugh is abrupt. I nudge him, then move the carrier away from the center of the floor. “That was one time, and I’ll never do it again.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah.” My smile widens. “Next time, I’m taking both of you with me.”