Page 60 of Mending Hearts

“Happy Birthday, Mia.” He kissed my brow.

Behind him, Maggie stepped forward, embraced me, and wished me a happy birthday. A blur of familiar faces from around town or on my tour followed until I got to Taryn and Rebecca. Up to them, I’d held my emotions together, but seeing them and realizing my mother really wasn’t coming caused tears to spring to my eyes.

“I thought maybe she might come,” I said in Taryn’s ear while we hugged.

“She’s a stubborn one,” Taryn said. “When Tyler said you still weren’t showing, we did tell her. I don’t know if he wanted us to, but I knew no matter what was going on, you’d want her here.”

“How’s the writing going?” Rebecca sipped her drink and smoothly changed the topic.

“Is that sparkling mint-lime iced tea?” I peered into Rebecca’s cup.

“Yeah, I think that’s what the sign said. It’s good.” She held the cup away from her face and examined it.

“Oh, my God. He’s like…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence while I looked for him in the sea of familiar faces. He was over by the punch bowl talking to Emily and ruffling Amir’s hair.

“The best thing that’s ever happened to you?” Taryn finished softly.

“Let’s not get carried away.” A smile tugged at the edge of my lips. “But that’s my new favorite drink.” I pointed to Rebecca’s cup. “I love it. It’s just—I’ve never known anyone else who noticed these things about me.” I shook my head. “My mother doesn’t even notice these little things.”

Taryn and Rebecca exchanged a loaded gaze before they sipped their drinks. “It is delicious,” Rebecca agreed.

“So,” I rubbed my hands together, “tell me what I’ve been missing. Give me all the gossip. I’ve been so busy writing. I’ve been trying to stay off the internet unless I’m looking something up for a lyric.”

“It’s going well then?” Taryn asked.

“Sure, yeah. I mean, it took me a minute to remember how I like to work. But I’m in the zone now. I should be able to get enough songs for an album before…you know.”

“You give birth?” Rebecca eyed my rounded stomach that hadn’t popped so much as expanded. Bloated, not pregnant.

“I try not to think about that part. It freaks me out. I’m not good with pain.”

“So, you don’t want me to tell you all the birthing horror stories I know?” Taryn chuckled.

“God, no. I’ll probably get enough of those when I start to show.” I frowned. “Not that I’ll be allowed out of the house once that happens. Not really looking forward to that part either. It’s been nice to feel average or normal or whatever this is the last couple of weeks.”

“Your dress is gorgeous.” Rebecca ran her fingers down the edge of the material. “Nothing normal about this.”

“Thank you. Tyler made it. He’s so freaking talented.” I sought him out in the crowd again.

“Strange he’s never done more with it.” Taryn followed my gaze across the room.

“Maybe he didn’t want to do more,” Rebecca said. “Not everyone has a desire to conquer the world.”

“Did you hear from your mother?” Taryn’s voice was gentle.

“She emailed me. Reminded me that I needed a designer for the gala. I can’t go, though. I mean, I’ll be showing for sure in another month. I’ll have to cancel. And then she gave me a heads-up about some label stuff.”

“Oh,” Rebecca said. “About Kenny Connors? Jesus. What a mess.”

“What about him?” My heart dipped.

“Rumor has it there’s a huge lawsuit coming down the pipe. One of the girls he worked with a couple years ago is claiming he’s a notorious and serial statutory rapist.” Taryn shook her head and sipped her drink. “A witch hunt, maybe. Hard to say. Can you imagine no one saying anything? He works with young girls all the time. All. The. Time.”

“Oh, really?” A cold sweat broke out under my armpits. I wished I could drink. Something really strong right about now would ease the tightness in my chest. Or Tyler. Tyler would make this awful feeling fade. “You don’t believe her?”

“Well, you worked with him, didn’t you? I can’t imagine you or Laura putting up with shit like that.” Taryn laughed. “Laura would rip him a new asshole.”

Except she hadn’t. Not back then. At fifteen, I hadn’t understood what had happened, not really. When he pushed me up against the desk, I giggled.Giggled.But then when he started pawing at me, I tried to slow him down, stop him, but no words had left my mouth. Not one. Afterward, he told me I was so sexy, he just couldn’t control himself, like his abuse was a compliment, like I should’ve been flattered.

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