“As long as you’re there, I’ll be fine.” Victoria leaned back and took her hand.

  Victoria really was a strong, capable woman, and Mason was sure she saw herself that way most of the time these days. That she had stood up to Sophie and told her to fuck off taught her she was all right, but everyone had a trigger that made you forget your strength. Sophie had much to make up for, and she hoped she did, but she’d stand and hold Vic’s hand until Sophie came to her senses, and Vic realized her mother didn’t have any power over her. Not anymore.

  “Let’s go have fun, and we’ll leave when you’ve had enough.”

  The crowd at the party included a few people from the office, the songwriters, her parents, the band, and Belle and Sophie, and they all applauded when they walked in. Jerri had also taken care to have the music media there to cover Vic’s awesome start, since the single dropped the second she stepped onstage. The band came up and hugged Victoria. This had been their first time at the Opry too, and now they were on their way as well.

  “Vic!” Wilbur lifted her off the ground as he jumped over and over. “They’ve been playing your single on the radio every five minutes.”

  “That’s great.”

  Victoria kissed his cheek, but Mason could tell her eyes were on Sophie. Vic’s mom was standing back with Belle and had a glass of something gripped in her hand.

  Mason left Victoria in the midst of the people she’d be spending most of her time with in the future to go and feel Sophie out. If her attitude had changed dramatically from asking for a ticket to Victoria’s show, she’d ask her to go. The change in Sophie was noticeable, though, from her new short haircut to her subdued outfit and her clear, alert eyes.

  “Thank you for coming,” she said, kissing Belle’s cheek, then Sophie’s. “You doing okay?”

  “It’s more like I’m surviving, but this one assures me I’ll live.” Sophie pointed at Belle and smiled. “Weston’s death…” She swallowed hard. “What I learned last night was that I really fucked my life up, but I’m still here to try to fix it. I’ve got a lot to make up for.”

  Victoria slipped her hand into Mason’s as Sophie finished her enlightened statement. “Mama.”

  “I’m not staying long.” Sophie’s fingers whitened around the glass. “This is your night, and you should enjoy it, but I wanted to tell you how wonderful I thought you were. That performance will be remembered forever, and you might not believe me, but I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thank you.” Victoria’s eyes were glassy with tears, but she appeared happy. “It’s silly, but I’m so happy you were there—that you’re here. Please stay.”

  “It’s me that should be thanking you. I never deserved you, but I’ll work on that if you’ll allow me.” She sighed, looking tired. “And I mean it this time.”

  “That’s all I’ve ever wanted, and I’m sorry about Weston. I know you cared for him.” Victoria stepped forward and put her arms around Sophie, and the move made Sophie cry, but she appeared grateful.

  Mason didn’t need to be convinced of Victoria’s grace, but she proved it on a daily basis. It was time for her to give a little as well. “Your mom doesn’t want to go back to her house, so I thought we could help her with that until she settles somewhere.” She hoped she was right to offer.

  “You know,” Victoria said, letting Sophie go and putting her arm around Mason’s waist, “I found my life in a house by the river. Maybe you’ll have the same luck.”

  “Mason’s not my type.” Sophie’s joke put the first crack in the awkward atmosphere and everyone laughed.

  “Mason’s taken, but the river house is a magical place where you and the guys can find some of the music that made you happy. I know Bryce would love to hear from you.”

  “I’m sure Bryce has moved on, and happily so.” Sophie put her glass down and pressed her hands together. “Belle keeps talking about these twelve steps, but I screwed up so much that my list probably has a hundred more, and then some.”

  “You always were a lousy guesser.”

  A big grizzly bear of a man walked up beside them, and Mason recognized him from Sophie’s hospital room.

  “We’ve been waiting on you to stop losing your mind.”

  “Bryce, thank you for coming,” Victoria said, letting Mason go and throwing her arms around him.

  “You’re crazy if you thought I’d miss this. I have no words to tell you how good you are.” He hugged her tightly and smiled down at her.

  “Thank you. Honey, this is Mama’s lead guitar, Bryce Benton.” Mason took Bryce’s hand and smiled. “Bryce, this is Mason Liner.”

  “You look like your dad,” Bryce said. “And like your dad, you’re damn lucky in love. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. My mom always says it’s never too late.” She let his hand go and winked. Maybe Bryce Benton had been waiting for Sophie to do more than stop losing her mind. The look in his eyes when he looked at Sophie had a hell of a lot more emotion than went with a job prospect.

  “Keep this one around, Vicky. She’s smarter than your average music executive.”

  They heard some cheering from downstairs, and Mason knew who’d arrived. “Excuse me a second, everyone, I’ll be right back.”

  She waited a few steps from the landing to the first floor and waved the server off. There was no way she wanted an audience for this. Colt hesitated, then said something to the people with him. He held his hands up and smiled as he started climbing.

  “Hey, Mason, I think we have a solid hit with that duet. Thank you for introducing me to Victoria.”

  She smiled and nodded. “That we do, but remember to keep your hands to yourself unless the lady tells you otherwise. Vic doesn’t need my help fighting her battles, but”—she took another deep breath—“don’t do it again. And that goes for any other women you work with. Be professional, Colt. Don’t assume you have the right.”

  “I hear you, I swear. She already gave me the lecture, and I really didn’t mean anything by it. I had no idea she was seeing someone.”

  They both turned when they spotted Victoria at the top of the steps. “She is seeing someone, and I’m absolutely crazy about her.”

  His eyes widened and he looked truly abashed. “Wow, sorry, boss, and congratulations.”

  “Thanks, now let’s go celebrate. You two sounded awesome tonight, so there’s plenty to be happy about.” Colt went up first and hugged Victoria like she was his sister and pointed down at Mason before leaving her to join the other guests.

  “Victoria’s in good hands,” Sophie said when she joined her on the landing.

  “And she always will be.”

  “I’m counting on it, but more importantly, so is she. Don’t let either of us down.”

  “There’s no chance of that. Ever.” That was the easiest promise she’d ever made.

  * * *

  Victoria watched Mason head for the stairs, and it was Josette’s expression that made her follow. She was happy to see Mason and Colt shaking hands and smiling.

  Colt turned to her and said, “I’m sorry again, and good for you and Mason. Like I said, she’s made all my dreams come true, but with you, I’m sure she’s going to deliver in spectacular form. Congratulations,” Colt said. “I hope we can work together again, and it’ll be nice having you along for part of the tour.”

  “Thank you, and I’d love to. I appreciate your taking a chance on me, and call me if any great duets come along.”

  “That goes both ways, Everly. I’m not the only one who’s going to sell out some arenas in the future, and I was proud to share the stage with you.”

  “Thanks.” She turned back to Mason when Colt walked off and his band finally made it upstairs. “You having fun, honey?” She rested her head on Mason’s chest when she joined her and was glad to be on the sidelines for a minute.

  “This has been one special night, and I’m so glad I got to share it with you.”

  “Can I admit something to you?” She glanced up at her and smiled.

  “Sure.”

  “This could be the only time I get to sing in front of an audience, and I’d be okay with that because you love me. I know that sounds sappy, but the music isn’t why I feel so blessed.”

  “The good thing about life is that you can have both, or anything else you want. All you have to do is tell me if I’m ever falling down on either job. And I’m glad the thing with Colt resolved easily. I’d have hated to break his pretty nose.”

  “The fact that I got another apology and an offer to work with him again means you’re doing both jobs really well, and your bit of jealousy is the sexiest thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

  “It’s good to pull his head out of the music every so often and give him a clue,” Mason said and laughed. “I did tell you I’m the jealous type, just not the crazed punch-you-in-the-face type. Unless it’s warranted.”

  She laughed too when Mason gave her that big smile. “These damn dimples. They’re going to be your get out of jail free card for the rest of your life.”

  “Talk to Me” came over the speakers, and Mason took her hand. “Dance with me.”

  There were joined by Sophie and Bryce, Mason’s parents, and the others, but they could’ve been alone for all Victoria noticed. She felt Mason shiver when she sang to her, and she was ready to go once the song was over. If this really was the start of a new career and life, it certainly had been memorable.

  No one took long in wishing them good night, and Victoria was grateful for the car service. Mason’s wandering hands and all the kissing made her want to yell at the driver to speed it up. She needed to get naked and feel Mason pressed up against her.

  “Can we spend the night down the hill?”

  Mason nodded and pointed to the utility vehicle. “I was going to ask.”

  She wanted to be where it had all started, and she realized Mason had anticipated her, when she saw the candles and champagne in the bedroom. “You are a gift.”

  They didn’t need any more words as Mason undressed her while she did the same for Mason. They went slow, but the passion was there, always there. It was hot, needy, and fulfilling, but through it all she felt cherished. Mason loved her and that would carry her wherever she went without fear.

  That was her last thought as she fell asleep, not waking until she smelled coffee the next morning. She pressed against Mason when she lay back down and handed her a cup. “I love you so much.”

  “Do you love me enough to throw on something and sit on the deck with me? It’s a beautiful morning.” Mason had on a robe and nothing else.

  “I’d love to.”

  “If that’s your answer to everything, the morning will be perfect.”

  She smiled when they shared a lounger, and she stared out at the water. There were only a few early fishermen out, but none of them were looking up. “What time does your mom want us over?”

  “Late lunch, she said.” Mason kissed her as she pressed her hand to her cheek “My mom was right,” Mason said softly as she moved her hand to the side of her neck.

  “About what?”

  “Before you I was content, drifting from contract to contract, but not really passionate about a whole lot. Then there was you, and you woke something up in me and made me face the music. At least, you made me face that there was more to life than work and drifting.”

  “Are you okay with all this? It’s big, sweeping changes, and I don’t want you to feel obligated to something that won’t make you happy.” She couldn’t help the creeping self-doubt that might always make its presence known.

  “You know what will make me happy?” Mason reached into her pocket and came out with a box. “If you’ll say yes.”

  “Buh…” Her brain froze as she stared at the archetypal box.

  “Will you marry me?” The box creaked open to reveal a beautiful ring. “I don’t want another day to go by without you knowing not only how much I love you, but how much I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “Yes. Yes!” The answer made Mason smile and slip the ring on her finger.

  “I can’t wait for what comes next.” Mason kissed the ring. “It’s going to be awesome.”

  “It will be, because it’s forever.”

  Epilogue

  A Year Later

  “The crowds have been gathering outside the Staples Center since early this afternoon for tonight’s Grammys,” the entertainment reporter said.

  Victoria watched the coverage from the car, not really believing she was here at all.

  Their last year had been a whirlwind of performances, a wedding, and the start of another album. Everything Mason had promised had happened, only it had been bigger than Victoria could have imagined. The album had done so well that she couldn’t simply run out for doughnuts on Sunday mornings, and she was having a hard time adjusting to the fame. It wasn’t that she was unhappy, but she’d always thought she’d just play piano in the background. This was so, so much more than that.

  Through it all Mason had been right there making sure it was all fun, and it had been. They laughed and played and were looking forward to the coming months at home. Even her mother was taking time off from her tour schedule to come home to Blue Heaven and the river house she and Bryce had adopted as theirs. Her relationship with her mom was better, though it would never be terribly close, and her mom had continued into the twelve-step program. Bryce helped keep her on the straight and narrow, and though her audiences would never be as big as they once were, she was happy and holding steady. Victoria knew her mom was genuinely proud of her success, if a little jealous, and the meanness seemed to have gone out of her with Weston’s death. It was enough.

  “This is something.” She gripped her purse in her hands as she watched the small television. “It’s surreal, and I doubt I’ll win.”

  “You’d better be wrong.” Mason looked good in the dark suit she’d worn with old cowboy boots. She would’ve pushed for something dressier, but Mason had said all she was tonight was background support for the great Everly. “I’ve got money riding on this. Belle’s burlesque troop has thrown money in the pot too. I’ll make enough to retire when you win. You ready?”

  Victoria nodded, though she wasn’t sure she was ready at all. Mason gave her a quick kiss.

  “Everly, over here!” the photographers yelled when the door opened, and Mason got out to give her a hand.

  She prayed she didn’t make a fool of herself on national television by falling on her face. They smiled as they started toward the arena, but Mason let her go forward alone as she stopped for the obligatory fashion shots.

  “Are you excited?” the reporter she’d been watching asked her.

  Did anyone ever answer no to that question? “I am, and it’s a real honor to be nominated in such great company.” It was what everyone said, but considering her competition, she really meant it.

  “What’s next?”

  “I’m starting a new album, and Mason and I are working on a new project together.”

  Their relationship had turned some people off, but for the majority of her fans, her marriage to Mason had been happy news. If she had been a one-and-done artist, she would’ve been fine with that, but folks wanted more.

  “Anything you want to share?”

  The woman appeared almost giddy, and they’d decided tonight was as good a night as any to make their announcement.

  “We’re four months pregnant,” she said, and the woman glanced between them, appearing confused. “I’m four months along and we’re thrilled.” That would get social media going again, but you couldn’t hide a baby.

  “Let’s get you inside,” Mason said when the paparazzi’s shouting began in earnest, and she smiled at Mason’s protective streak. It had gotten more focused when she’d gotten pregnant.

  The starting act was good, and she held Mason’s hand as the show finally got underway. One of the first awards was for best new artist, and she’d been shocked when she’d been nominated, given the competition. Now, the presenter went through the list of nominees as the cameras panned the audience.

  “This year’s winner is…” The presenter paused for effect. “Everly.”

  It was Mason’s kiss that finally brought her out of her shock, and she stood to make her way to the stage. She accepted the award and thanked all the appropriate people before trying to find Mason in the audience. When she made eye contact she could breathe again.

  “Nothing in life is sweeter than finding the one person who’s your match. The only one who fits and understands you, and for me, that’s my wife, Mason. Thank you, honey, for giving me a chance and showing me what true happiness means. I love you.”

  She made two more trips to the stage that night, winning best country song and best country album. One of the most incredible parts of her night was performing “Talk to Me” with Wilbur accompanying her, and he smiled so much she thought his face should hurt.

  It wasn’t until later when she and Mason went to bed that she finally relaxed and really took it all in. “Can you believe this?”

  Mason lay beside her with her hand on her abdomen. “Totally. I’m in love with you, baby, but I’m also good at my job. I know talent when I see it, and I signed it.”

  “What else are you good at?”

  “Happily ever afters.”

  She rolled over and kissed Mason with all the love she had to share. “That you are, my love. That you are.”

  About the Author

  Ali Vali is the author of the long-running Cain Casey Devil series and the Genesis Clan Forces series, as well as numerous standalone romances including two Lambda Literary Award finalists, Calling the Dead and Love Match, and her 2020 release The Inheritance. Ali also has a novella in the collection Girls with Guns.

  Originally from Cuba, Ali has retained much of her family’s traditions and language and uses them frequently in her stories. Having her father read her stories and poetry before bed every night as a child infused her with a love of reading, which she carries till today. Ali currently lives outside New Orleans, Louisiana, and she has discovered that living in Louisiana provides plenty of material to draw from in creating her novels and short stories.