Chapter 17

Her phone started ringing way later than Kirsten's, which was good. That meant she got to have that little second sleep, coffee, and food, before she had to start dealing with the band and the publicists.

God, she hated publicists.

So, she ignored all of them but Mich, who she texted, then called her business manager, Peach.

"Well, hey, honey."

"Hey, lady. Lay it on me."

"I think you'd better tell me what happened. I can't spin it if I don't know all the details." Peach clucked softly.

"Oh, I went out with a woman I've decided I want to get to know better last night and played music and maybe polished belt buckles a little. Some douche took a party reel. I don't want to let anyone down, you know that. But I'm not going to act ashamed."

"Fair enough. In that case, sweetheart, we go high and we ignore the haters. I mean, going out with friends is not a thing. The label execs shouldn't squawk."

She chewed her lip. "Well, she's more than a friend, Peach. And I want to continue the relationship." Peach needed to know it all upfront. She'd been in Nashville signing deals since the 90s.

"Oh." There was a long pause, then an, "Oh! Well then, I need to meet her, and we all need to pow-wow."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Where do I fly into?"

"Montrose or Grand Junction, either one. Or you can come into Denver and I'll send someone to come get you, but that's a good five hours."

"Ugh. You know I'll just fly and he can pick me up at the regional airport."

Her heart raced a bit, and she wasn't sure if it was relief or worry. "Sounds good. I'll get you a room at the B and B when you tell me your dates."

"Good deal. But until I get there, you ignore it. And don't answer calls from that fancy label publicist. He's a dick."

"I know." She had to laugh at that. "Ten-four, lady."

"Just relax. The world is changing. We'll help it along."

"We will. It might cause issues with the band."

"It might. Then we hire more band." Peach cackled. "As long as Brenda stays, you're golden."

"Brenda's the one that told me to go for it."

"She's a brilliant broad."

Skyla found herself nodding. "She is. Okay. I can breathe. I'll see you soon."

"I'll send my itinerary. Turn off your phone and pretend you're not worried." Peach knew her well.

"I will. Miss you, lady. Love you so."

"Love you, bug." Peach hung up.

She turned to look at the bathroom, where Kirsten was still singing in the shower.

Whew. Man, things moved fast.

She'd had about as many mood swings as a pendulum at a psychic fair.

The water shut off, and Kirsten came out, drying her hair, gloriously naked. "You get your phone call in?"

She stared at those perfect, pretty breasts, the tight nipples making her mouth dry. The ink decorated them, making them even more erotic than they would have been blank.

"You like what you see, baby?" Kirsten asked, tossing her towel away.

"You know I do."

"Good." She got a worried little glance, but the expression disappeared almost immediately. "I'm glad."

"Hey. I called the manager. She'll be here tomorrow at the latest. Until then, I am holding the high ground and hanging with you."

"Hanging, huh?" Kirsten pushed right up into her, one still-damp hand landing on her butt. "I like that. I was worried you'd scamper away, and I'd be missing you for the rest of my life."

She firmed her lips and stared Kirsten down. "No, I meant what I said. I want to see where this goes. I want you."

"I'm right here, baby." Kirsten wiggled for her, then headed for the pile of clothes that was waiting.

Skyla followed because they ought to get dressed. God knew she needed to walk Reba, and the damn band would probably show up soon. And she couldn't just hide. But man, she wanted to. So bad.

She moved her hands around Kirsten's body, sliding them up the flat belly, hugging them tight together. "Oh, you're cold."

"That was why I was going to put on clothes," Kirsten teased.

"Well, how about you put me on?"

Reba barked.

"Well, I would, but your dog wants a walk."

"Oh…" She staggered back, hand over her heart. "I'm wounded."

"I know. But not as wounded as we'll both be if Reba pees on the floor."

"Mmmm. Can we walk to get a coffee?"

"Does your Texas dog have booties?"

"Yes." Skyla laughed at the shocked expression she got. "Nadia at Waggin' Butts got them for her."

"Ooh… Excellent. Let's get all bundled up and share pastries." Kirsten kissed her quickly. "I love to watch you eat. Is that weird?"

"What? No. I'm sexy as hell." She winked. "Tell me I can do ponytail and sunglasses."

"Of course you can."

They dressed, bundling up because it was clear but viciously cold out there. Skyla stomped into her new snow boots, and she'd never appreciated an ugly piece of clothing more. Then she got Reba into her booties while Kirsten held a spoon of peanut butter for her.

That was Reba's new favorite game.

"All right, babe. You ready to see if there's anyone lurking out there waiting to take pics?"

She squared her shoulders. "Damn straight."

"Don't worry. I'm butch. I will pop anyone right in the face that bothers you, honey."

Skyla didn't doubt it.

"Just be aware that a move like that would make it to People magazine."

"Yeah?" Kirsten grinned as she put on her sunglasses, looking all Top Gun all of a sudden. "Think how much we could sell the song for then."

"Oh ho!" She laughed, dancing Kirsten in a circle. "Now you're talking!"

Reba bounced with them, barking, so they leashed her up to head out to the Caffeine Ivy, because damn, it was a fine day.

Skyla fought the urge to duck her head, hide her face. It wasn't reasonable to be ashamed.

Kirsten obviously wasn't. She was fine in her shearling coat and heavy boots, her rainbow earmuffs. She looked like what she was. An out and proud lesbian woman out for a stroll with her girlfriend.

And dammit, if Kirsten could do it, so could she. Because she wanted this to be real.

"What kind of coffee are you going to get?" Kirsten talked to her like she was something special.

"Mmmm. Something with white chocolate." She wanted that caramelized flavor.

"Ooh… I'm having peppermint white chocolate mocha with whipped cream."

"Spoiled!"

"I worked hard last night."

"You really did." She grinned, because that was so evil but true.

"Uh-huh. My poor tongue…"

She almost tripped, Kirsten made her laugh so hard.

"It needs refreshment." Skyla giggled madly, reaching for Kirsten to steady herself.

That strong arm was the perfect way to hold herself up.

"You know it. It needs chocolate and possibly flaky pastry."

"It does. Maybe a massage later. With my tongue."

"Ooh… I do like the way you think, girl." Kirsten bumped their shoulders together, waggling her eyebrows.

"I knew you would."

"Hey, you two!" Kiley came at them from the opposite direction, her border collie loping over to say hi to Reba. "Heading for coffee?"

"You know it. I'm desperate for caffeine."

"Mind if I join you? There's a conference at the hotel this weekend, so Brit is all over the place working."

Kirsten glanced at her, and she smiled. This was what she'd wanted—a hometown feel. Friends. "Sounds great. Come on."

"Love it."

Skyla followed along, and she was so tickled to see the dog-friendly patio closed in with screens and window covers, heaters out for them to sit with the puppers. "This is an amazing patio!"

"Right? Perfect for the dogs, isn't it?"

"It is. Wow. This is too cool."

"Why don't you sit with the dogs, babe? Kiley and I will go get the coffee and brekkie."

"I get the easy job. Come on, ladies." Skyla took the dogs to a table.

She sat, and it wasn't long before there was someone standing nearby and staring.

Dammit.

She didn't need?—

A woman in a flannel jacket with a basset hound plopped down, right in the way.

"Hey. Lars. Lumberjack. Lookee-loos piss me off."

"Hi." She watched Kiley's dog… Sadie? Bounce and say hi, so they maybe knew each other. "Me too. Skyla." She held out a hand to shake.

Lars shook firmly. "You're with Kirsten, right?"

"I am. We're making music together." She chuckled at her own double entendre.

"Perfect. My girl runs an event planning business, and we own the Christmas tree farm together. I've been playing poker with Kirsten for years. She's a bit of a shark, but she always brings the pizza."

"She's a terrible backgammon shark too." She and Kirsten had played for kisses one night. Thank God she liked kissing Kirsten all over, because she'd lost her ass that night.

"She won't play poker with me."

"We've all seen that YouTube, lady." Lars waggled her eyebrows.

Skyla snorted. "Yeah. I did good that night." She'd won a celebrity poker tournament last year in Vegas. Man, that Child Stone guy had been super pissed when she pulled his last chips in at the end of the first round.

"Well, I hope you two work out. Kirsten's a hoot, and she mourned her lover a long time." Lars nodded, and sighed softly. "I'm glad she's taking a chance again."

And that was what she needed to remember, wasn't it?

Kirsten was taking a chance with this, just as much as she was. Kirsten was gambling with her heart.

"Hey, Lars." Kirsten came out with three plates balanced in hand. "Kiley is bringing the drinks. Did you need something else, hon?"

"Nah, I'm good." Lars grinned. "I was just warding off the lookies." She shrugged. "I promised my girl I'd bring her a latte."

"Ah. Well, sit with us a minute, huh?" Kirsten plonked down the pastries. "Let me go get three pup cups."

Skyla laughed. "Spoiling my dog."

Reba woofed like she was agreeing.

"You know it, sweet puppy." Kirsten spoke to Reba as if she loved her. "Be right back."

"She's so amazing," Skyla told Lars.

"She is." Lars grinned. "I'm glad you see it."

Kiley came out with the coffee, and the basset sat up and made a woo-ooo noise.

"She's coming, Goob. Don't stress it." Kiley grinned at Lars. "Hey, lumberjack."

"Hey you. How goes?"

"Good. Good. I met Kirsten and Skyla outside and we agreed it was a fine dog day."

"Goober agreed."

Goober. That had to be the best hound name ever.

"Dogs are big around here, hmm?" she asked.

Kiley snorted. "Pets are big around here. Lars here? Is a dogsled racer."

"Really? Oh, my God. Are you the one who does the dogsled rides?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I read about that up at the lodge! I want to do that so bad."

"So, come on up. Kirsten has my number. We'll go. No big."

"Oh, wow. Thank you."

"Okay, guys! The puppy auntie is here with whipped cream." Kirsten came back with pup cups, handing them out to her and Lars and Kiley. "Am I the best, or what?"

"Cat woman," Lars teased.

Kirsten stuck out her tongue, waggling that tongue stud. Skyla's clit actually throbbed.

Snorting, Kiley whacked Lars. "Ah, new love."

"Right? I mean, damn." Lars smacked her lips, then yelped as Goober tried to eat the paper cup as well as the whipped cream. "No, you greedy gut."

They all cracked up, and Skyla realized she wasn't paying attention to the crowd, to the other people. She was just being friendly, having fun, and enjoying her girlfriend. If some asshole was taking videos or pictures? So be it. She lived a public life.

But it was her life.

Kirsten grinned at her, fingers tangling with hers for a moment.

"Kirsten, call me when your girl wants to go sledding. I need to head on." Lars stood, nodding. "Nice to meet you."

"You too!" Skyla liked her a lot already.

"You survived your first meeting with Lars!" Kiley cracked up. "Congrats! You get a gold star."

"Yeah? Is she evil?" She didn't believe it.

"Nah. But she is a force of nature."

Kirsten snorted. "She gives Liz a run for her money."

"Liz is?"

"Lupe's wife. The tall one that runs the MM."

"Right." She vaguely remembered that. So many people in such a short time. Skyla was used to that; what she wasn't used to was having to remember them all.

"You'll get used to it. There's a lot, huh?" Kirsten hummed over her…

"Is that an apple fritter?"

"Yeah. You want half for half your bear claw?"

"Yep." Skyla grabbed her fork and cut her pastry in half. It was always good to share.

She thought about that. Unless it was her girl. She wasn't sharing that.