Page 55 of Nashville Lights

It’s the same Nate I saw when we were alone together, tangled in sheets, hot and sweaty. The thread of vulnerability. The heartfelt sincerity. The fiery passion. All entwined.

Nate Boone is a musician in the true sense of the word.

AndIcan do something about making sure he realizes how freaking good he is.

When he sings the final note of the song, the crowd erupts into a standing ovation so loud Daisy and her friends, who are sitting around hay bales near the front, clap their hands over their ears.

Nate performs three more songs. Each one of them digs itself more deeply into my soul.

I didn’t think it was possible to fall even more in love with him. But he just figured out a way to get me to do exactly that. I’m slayed. I’m scared but at the same time I feel braver than I ever have.

I might be pregnant with his baby.

And right now, there’s nothing on this entire Earth that I’ve wanted more than for that to be true.

21

Nateand I say goodnight to Dakota—who scolds me for hardly spending any time withher, the Boone I came to visit.

“What does he have thatIdon’t have?” she jokes, then quickly realizes her gaffe. “Wait. Donotanswer that question.”

I give her a hug. “Thank you, Dee. For making this happen tonight. For showing me.”

“What did you think of our boys?” Her question is lightly cautious, as Nate goes to find Daisy’s bag.

“I think your boys are all going to be superstars, that’s what I think.”

Her green eyes are bright. “Really?”

“Absolutely really. I can’t believe I didn’tknowabout this, Dakota.”

“I mean, would you ever considertaking them on?”

“Of course I would. Before someone else discovers them and beats me to it.”

Her hands hold her face. “I can’t believe it.”

“Well, believe it, girl. All three of them have the kind of X factor that sells records like nobody’s business. Tomorrow we can all sit down and talk it through. I’ll go through my offer and the steps we need to take, then we’ll start making a plan.”

“Oh my god. Thank you, Rox.”

“Thankyou. I only wish you’d called me out here sooner.” I see Nate coming back, Daisy nearly asleep on his shoulder and a pink bag in his hand. “We’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”

Another long, genuine hug. One thing about the Boone family is they know to freakinghug.

It’s then that I notice a man standing back from us, sipping on his beer and watching the band. He keeps glancing over at Dakota, like he’s waiting for her.

“Who’s that?” He’s tall and good-looking with dark hair flicking out from under a cowboy hat. “Is thathim? The rodeo hero from Montana?”

“I don’t know if he’s a rodeohero. And nothing’s happened. We’ve just been talking, that’s all.”

“He’shot, Dee.”

“Shh. Nate’s coming back.”

“Okay, I better go, sweetie. Havefuntonight. Good luck with Mr. Montana.”

She laughs. “Thanks. Goodnight, Rox. Love you.”

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