Page 75 of High Note

She hated this.

She hated the fact that she’d fucked things up with Skyla’s band. Hated it.

And she was a little worried that things were going to fall apart. She knew that Skyla needed her career, that it was bigger than a relationship.

Hell, she couldn’t blame Skyla for that. If she were in Skyla’s place, she had no idea what she would do. She would like to think she would choose love, but?—

Oh, who was she kidding? She was a sap. Of course, she would.

She got to the coffee shop, relieved to see Skyla waiting for her and Reba outside. But no Peach or Brenda.

Skyla smiled for her, the tight lines around her mouth easing. “Hey, honey.”

“Hey, you. Bad morning?” She opened up her arms, to offer a hug.

Skyla walked right into them, laughing when Reba jumped on them. “Greggo and Lucie walked out on the band.”

“Fuckers. Well, you have me, if I can help until you find a real studio person.” That was fair, right?

“Honey, you’re as real as it gets, and don’t you doubt it. Peach wants you to hire on full-time.” Skyla touched her cheek. “I just want you with me.”

“Yeah?” She searched Skyla’s eyes. “I swear to you, I’ll make it work, somehow. I know people can be mean, but I’ve got your back.”

“Yeah. I want that more than anything, honey. Home here with you, you on the road with me…”

“What about the cats? Will we find them a house sitter, do you think?” It was probably a silly thing to stress about, but it was her first priority. They were her babies.

“Oh, I think there are plenty of kids around here that work for M&M who would do it. And be responsible. Or Nadia can find us someone.”

Kirsten nodded. “I would trust Nadia.”

She’d watched all of their pets, even Goober, so she would be the one to ask.

“Then we’ll make it so.” Skyla took her hand. “I want a huge piece of cake. I hope they have some.”

“I haven’t been in yet. I’m thinking that I want a ham and cheese croissant, something with protein.” She’d been stressing, and she’d eaten a frozen waffle.

Two mini doughnuts.

A piece of dark chocolate.

A packet of peach instant oatmeal.

A Pixy stick leftover from Halloween.

Stress eating was a real thing.

Skyla’s eyes lit up. “Oh, that sounds good. Maybe that and coffee, then more coffee and cake?”

“You understand my pain.”

“I do. And then we can ponder a hike with Reba if the weather holds. To work it off.”

“Mmm…that sounds fun.”

Skyla went in and ordered, Kirsten and Reba hung out under the heaters in the patio, and she started thinking about whether all this could possibly be real.

She wanted it to be. So bad.

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