With all this talk about the past, I'm feeling a little lost, and Holly must see that as well.
"If you don't want to make a decision today, you don't have to. But in the interest of full disclosure, I'm going to tell you that the sooner you decide, the better. The hits will start to slow and interest will drop off. We want to harness the current interest and make a big splashy announcement that we've signed you, and you've got a single coming down the pipe really soon."
Movement comes from the nursery, and our attention shifts as we watch the nanny lift the pink bundle into her arms and walk with her around the room.
"If I hadn't stepped on that stage for Country Dreams, I wouldn't be living the life I have right now," Holly says, not looking at me but through the glass wall. "Sometimes, taking a terrifying risk leads to the most unimaginable happiness."
The reverence in her tone as she stares at her baby girl hits me deep inside.
I want this. Not Holly Wix's life, but a chance at happiness beyond what I could imagine.
I take a deep breath. "I'll do it."
35
Ripley
I push open the glass door of Homegrown Records with a thick silver envelope in my hand containing the contract Holly had already drawn up. I didn't sign anything yet, because even I know better than that. I need a good lawyer now, but there's no way in hell I'm calling Law.
I reach out to press the call button on the elevator, but the doors slide open before I make contact.
And out steps Amber Fleet.
Are you freaking kidding me right now?
She knocks into my shoulder as she strides past, and I'm too stunned to jump in the open elevator before the doors shut again.
I press the call button and turn to peer through the glass doors leading into Homegrown Records as I wait. Amber's high-pitched voice grows louder and louder with each word until it's impossible to miss.
"I want to see Holly Wix. She won't answer my calls or emails, but I need to talk to her."
Like the eavesdropper I apparently am, I take a step toward the glass doors so I can hear Etta's response.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Fleet. Ms. Wix's calendar is full today. I can possibly get you in next month when she's officially back full-time from maternity leave."
"Dammit, I know she's working before that." Amber rushes for the door that leads to the inner offices and grabs the handle, but it doesn't budge.
"Ms. Fleet, please understand that Ms. Wix is very busy, but I'm happy to make you an appointment for a later date."
"I need an appointment now."
"That's just not possible, ma'am."
"Well, you can tell Holly she's gonna regret blowing me off like this. Just wait and see." Amber spins around, and I dash back to the elevator and press the button seven times, hoping to get the hell out of here fast.
But no such luck for me today in that arena. Apparently, my luck was used up getting the career opportunity of the century.
I keep my head down, hoping Amber won't recognize me. Her heels clack against the wood, and she punches the already lit elevator button like it's somehow going to make it come faster. She releases an annoyed huff and crosses her arms, tapping her foot and mumbling something I can't make out.
She must finally look at me because the tapping stops, and I can't help but glance at her face. Her gaze is fixed on the envelope in my hands.
"She met with you, didn't she? That little bitch."
"Excuse me?" It's not until I speak that Amber's gaze lands on my face, and when it does, her features contort into an ugly mask.
"You've gotta be fucking kidding me. She met with you." Her words aren't so different from the thoughts I had earlier, but at least mine were missing the thick layer of malice. "She did not just sign you. No fucking way. I don't believe it."
I'm not about to give her any kind of affirmative response, so I decide to go with a benign, "Excuse me?" When the elevator doors open, I step toward them, hoping Amber is too pissed and stays behind. She doesn't.
"If this is some kind of ploy to try to keep Boone, you're going in the wrong direction. He can't handle a woman whose career is more successful than his. He'll scrape you off as soon as he finds out you were even here. I knew I was gonna get him back, but this just seals the deal."
"Excuse me?" I repeat, this time not playing dumb, but seriously confused by what she's saying.
"Do you need me to break it down into smaller words for you? You and that dumb redneck, I swear."
And I've officially heard all I need to hear. I hold up my hand.