Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Cassie
Austin and I spent yesterday afternoon doing damage control.
I texted the group chat with the girls, apologising and thanking them for their support.
They understand I’m not ready to see them just yet—there’s too much else to do—but made me promise to join them all for coffee next Monday.
I agreed without hesitation. Of course, we might have to change the location of our weekly hang to someone’s house if I don’t have security by then, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Speaking of security, I’ve spoken to Ant.
He was not impressed to learn I’ve been off on my own this entire time instead of in London with Liam and Bailey.
After oscillating between anger over me being so reckless and relief that I’m OK, he eventually told me he and Miranda are on their way here.
They caught a flight from Nashville to London on Monday night and are driving up to Pine Grove this afternoon.
Luckily Liam and Bailey set off in Bailey’s car straight after his cover shoot ended, so they should beat my mother here.
It will be nice to have the backup dealing with Miranda.
While she’ll gladly walk all over everyone else, Liam’s got as many, if not more, connections in the entertainment industry as she does.
Miranda will rein in her behaviour in front of him.
At least, I think she will. It depends if she can keep her temper under control.
Austin steps up behind me, wrapping me in a hug. “It feels wrong leaving you.”
Leaning back into his touch, I reply, “I’ll be fine. You’re needed at the bar.”
Austin spent yesterday afternoon calling around to find cover for my shifts at Bowman’s since it’s no longer safe for me to work there now my secret’s out.
Luckily, Abby and Mei volunteered to take most of them.
I was worried Austin’s mum would feel like I betrayed her by hiding who I was.
After all, Abby is the one who insisted he give me a chance on my very first day in town but, while she is undeniably curious, she isn’t upset.
It’s an enormous relief. Still, the bar’s going to be busier than usual with locals and tourists stopping by in the hopes of gossip.
It may sound conceited, but I know from experience that it will be the case.
Even if the people who live here decide to respect my privacy, there are still plenty of tourists around who won’t care as much about boundaries.
“You promise to call if you need me?”
Turning to face him, I go up on my toes and cradle his face in my hands. “I promise.” Knowing what I want, he angles his head down until our lips meet in a gentle kiss. I feel the tension leave his body as he melts into my touch.
“Come on. We should head out now if I’m going to get to the B&B before Bailey and Liam arrive.”
“You’re sure I can’t stay with you?”
“I’m sure. You need to go in early to figure out next week’s rota before the bar opens.”
“True, and I need to fire Molly.”
I grin. “That too.” Austin was livid when he realised Molly was the reason my secret got out. Apparently, she was already on her last warning at the bar. I don’t think anyone at Bowman’s will be sad to see her go.
“You promise to stay in your room?”
Austin’s concern over my safety now that my secret identity is public knowledge is sweet—really, it is—but the overprotective thing isn’t something I want hanging over our relationship for any real length of time.
The sooner I organise security for myself, the better.
While having my boyfriend play bodyguard may sound hot in theory, the reality chafes at my newfound independence far too much for it to be any good for us long term.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to talk Ant into staying.
Then again, if he’s coming here with my mother, I’m not sure Ant is still a hundred percent on my side. I guess I’ll find out.
“I will go straight from your car to my room, no stops.”
Austin grabs his keys from the bowl on the side. “None? Not even for Esther?”
“Nope,” I reply, backing out the front door. “If Esther wants the tea, she’ll have to come hang out in my room.”
When we pull up outside The Dragonfly a few minutes later, I’m relieved to see everything looks normal.
Call me a coward, but I was too scared to leave Austin’s place yesterday.
The whole overprotective thing may be frustrating but we both know his concerns aren’t unfounded.
It’s why I agreed to let him drive me to the B&B despite it only being a short walk from his place.
Even I can admit it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Nobody’s at the reception desk when I walk inside, so I’m able to dart upstairs to my room without stopping for anything, just like I promised Austin.
Liam and I agreed that he and Bailey will stay in my room here while they’re visiting.
After a little convincing, Austin got me to commit to staying with him even after Bailey and Liam leave.
The B&B can’t offer me the level of privacy and security I need now that my identity’s been revealed.
It won’t take long for it to get out that The Dragonfly is where I’ve been staying, and the last thing I want is to put Esther and her husband Thomas under unnecessary stress because people have swarmed the place hoping to get to me.
While Austin and I aren’t ready to move in together for real, it’s the safest solution for everyone until I can find a place of my own.
Unable to sit still, I make a start on packing up my stuff while I wait for Bailey and Liam to arrive. I’m zipping up my bag when my phone chimes with a text.
Liam:
We’re here. What’s your room number?
Me:
Room 8. It’s upstairs.
A couple of minutes later, there’s a knock at the door. The second I have the thing open, Liam pulls me into a giant hug.
“Thank God you’re OK.”
“I told you I was fine.” My reply is muffled against the cream shirt covering his chest.
“Yeah, but you’d insist you were fine even if you were on your literal deathbed, so…”
“Alright, enough. It’s my turn.” Bailey shoulders her way between us to give me a gentler but no less enthusiastic embrace. “We’re so glad you’re alright.”
“Thank you.” I step back, letting them into the room. “And thank you for coming. I can’t believe you’re here.”
I take a proper look at them, noticing Bailey has perfectly paired her lilac sundress trimmed with white lace with a matching lace bow in her half-ponytail.
The navy sailboats embroidered on Liam’s shirt match his chino shorts and, unlike the last time I saw him, he’s clean-shaven.
That must have been for his cover shoot, since I know he prefers to keep a short beard. They look well. Happy.
It doesn’t make my heart ache with longing the way it did the last time I saw them.
My life is so different now, full of so much more joy.
The only question is, can I hold on to my newfound happiness, or will Miranda ruin the life I’ve built here the way she ruins everything else?
I want to stand up to my mother, but it’s never been that simple.
Then again, I’ve never had so many people on my side before.
“Of course we came,” Bailey replies. “We’d have been here sooner if it weren’t for Liam’s cover shoot. Plus, it’s nice to have an excuse to come back, even if we wish our visit was under better circumstances.”
“Exactly,” Liam agrees. “We might even pay your boyfriend’s bar another visit while we’re here.”
“You two went to Bowman’s at Christmas?”
“Yep. I have fond memories of the outdoor seating in particular.”
Bailey’s cheeks flush bright pink, and I decide I don’t want to know.
Before I can invite them to sit, there’s another knock at the door.
Liam’s brow furrows. “Are you expecting anyone else?”
“No. It might be Esther—I called yesterday afternoon asking her to change the bedding in here for you two.” Actually, I offered to change it myself if she dropped it off for me, but she was having none of it.
Cautiously, I open the door, relaxing when I see it is in fact Esther waiting on the other side, wearing a lovely green midi dress.
“Thank goodness you’re here. There’s a woman in the reception area demanding to speak with you. I tried telling her I don’t know you and she must have the wrong place, but she told me she knew for a fact that you were staying here.”
My stomach churns with unease. “Did she give a name?” I ask, even though I already know who it is.
“Miranda St. James. She says she’s your mum, but I wanted to check with you first. I’ve seen all kinds of stories about fans trying to con their way into places.” Esther fiddles with the fabric belt of her dress. “I told her to wait, but she’s making quite a scene.”
“I’m so sorry, I’ll come down and deal with her right now.”
“We’re coming too,” Liam says, his tone allowing no room for argument, not that I was about to refuse their support. I’ll take all the backup I can get when dealing with my mother.
“This is outrageous. I demand to see—”
I rush down the last few steps of the wide staircase in time to interrupt Miranda snapping at Thomas.
“Miranda, that’s enough.”
Her eyes lock onto me immediately, giving my denim shorts and loose white t-shirt a once-over and finding me lacking. “It’s about time.”
Looking at her, you’d never guess she’s been travelling.
As expected, Miranda’s in one of her signature suits, dagger-sharp heels, and her hair and makeup look like they were done by a team of professionals even though I know that isn’t the case.
Her dark, shoulder-length hair is glossy, and her ever-present red lipstick adds just the right amount of drama to her look.