Page 9 of The Perfect Melody

“Thanks, man,” Jer says, lifting the last of our chairs onto the tabletop.

“No problem. I’ll see you next week.”

He nods. “Try not to spend the whole week stressing about the soft reopening. You’ve put in the work, everything’s going to be fine.”

“Worrying? Doesn’t sound like me,” I fib. Jer’s chuckle follows me out the door.

My house is only a short walk from Quill & Dagger, although this is Pine Grove—nothing is exactly far away in a town this size. When the weather’s better, I’ll walk to game night every week, but lately I’ve been driving more often than not. Tonight is the first in a while that it hasn’t been raining, and I want to make the most of it while I can.

The light above my front door switches on, illuminating the small space of the covered porch as I let myself inside. Nothing but silence and the vague shapes making up my home’s interior greet me. When I bought this place, I didn’t imagine I’d still be living alone at thirty-two. Some nights it feels too big for only me, and I regret not making more effort with my personal life. At least now that focusing all my energy on Bowman’s is finally paying off, coming home to an empty house stings a little less.

Maybe in a year, once things with the bar are more settled, I’ll look into dating again. The prospect doesn’t exactly thrill me. If I date someone in town, I’ll be the subject of the local gossip mill in no time, but what’s the alternative? A dating app? The mere thought of that makes me shudder. The idea of swiping through profiles of strangers the way I’d flip through a catalogue makes me feel gross. What would my profile even say? Workaholic who loves board games? Form an orderly queue, ladies. Aria probably knows what makes a good profile and would likely even help me, but she’d also see it as her sisterly duty to make fun of me the entire time.No thanks. Resigningmyself to a solitary home life for the foreseeable future, I trudge up the stairs to take a shower before bed.

Chapter Four

Cassie

After a lotof planning in between the week of appearances and interviews Miranda scheduled for me, Liam and I have almost got everything ready for my trip to Pine Grove. Ant and I will fly to London together tomorrow. He still thinks I’ll be staying in London with Liam and Bailey the whole time.

I feel bad about lying to him, but it’s necessary. Given how much of a fuss he’s been making over leaving me at their place, where Liam will still be able to arrange security for us if we decide to go out, I know keeping him in the dark is the right move. If Ant knew what I’m really planning, he’d insist on coming along and, as much as I appreciate everything he does for me, I need to do this for myself. There’s no way I’ll get the chance to live normally with Ant joined at my hip. Maybe ditching him is reckless, but this trip is my one chance at freedom. Whatever the consequences may be, I won’t regret seizing this opportunity.

Now Ant and I are at the bank to complete one last errand before we’re ready to leave for London. Taking off my sunglasses and hooking them onto the neckline of my dress, I approach the counter.

“Oh my God. You’re Melody Night.”

Doing my utmost to hold back my wince, I smile at the bank teller. I guess hoping nobody would recognise me while I pick up the cash for my trip was wishful thinking. “Yes, but I’d like to keep my visit here quiet. OK?”

The young woman’s tawny cheeks flush darker, and she clears her throat, putting her professional mask back in place. “Of course, I apologise.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I reply with a genuine smile now that I know she’s not about to make my presence known to the entire bank. I have another interview this afternoon. If I get swarmed by people now, it’ll make me late and Miranda will rip both me and Ant a new one. Plus, she’ll wonder why I was out and about, and the last thing I need is her cottoning onto what I’m planning. “I’d be happy to sign something for you when we’re done, if you’d like.”

“Th—thank you. What can I help you with today, Miss Night?”

“St. James,” I correct automatically. “I’m here to pick up the cash in GBP that I called about earlier this week.”

I give her my name and account info and a few minutes later she hands over a small wad of cash. It’s not much, but Liam’s already paid for my flight and accommodation. This is just to make sure I can get by without my bank cards while I’m there. It’s not like I plan on living the high life while I’m away—I just want to take myself out for dinner, buy a book, stuff like that, without using my cards and giving away where I’m hiding out.

“Thank you,” I tell the woman—Lucy, according to her nametag—behind the counter.

“No, thank you, seriously. My sister would never believe I met you if I didn’t have this. I’m so glad I accidentally left it in my locker here. It’s totally going in a frame now.” She clutches the month-old magazine I signed to her chest like it’s precious—I guess to her it is. Even after years of being on billboards,magazine covers, and more, it’s still strange to be going about my day and then suddenly see my face staring back at me. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

With one last smile, I tuck the modest amount of cash into my purse, then Ant and I leave the bank and head straight to my interview. A tingle of excitement dances across my skin as I realise this will be the last time I see Miranda for at least a month.

The converted barn Liam wanted to book for me was already taken so he’s got me a room at one of the B&Bs in town for a month with the promise he’s happy to extend my stay if I want. Ant isn’t keen on me being away for longer than that, but he understands I might need more time before I’m ready to come back. Who knows, maybe I’ll get there, hate every second, and come home after a week, but I doubt it. If anything, returning to Nashville at all will be the hard part.

My plan is to leave a signed note so that my mother will know I’m safe and not actually missing—I don’t want to cause any unnecessary drama or for Ant to get in trouble because of what I’m doing. I’ll share something on my socials too so Miranda can’t just tear up the note and pretend that I’m missing to make it easier for her to find me.

I take a cleansing breath. Everything is fine. It’s all going as planned. All I have to do is make it through one last interview, then I can go home and finish packing. I’ll be out of Nashville and across the world before anyone has the chance to miss me. By the time Miranda realises I’m gone, it will be too late.

* * *

Get me off this plane. I don’t know how flight attendants do it. Eight hours trapped with all the sounds and smells that go hand in hand with a fully booked flight, and I’m ready to sprint out ofhere the moment we hit the tarmac. Call me spoiled, but Imighthave grown used to the comforts of flying private. While I really don’t love the environmental impact, I reached a point where it became necessary not only for my safety but for the safety of my team. That obviously wasn’t an option for this trip since the whole point is for me to remain undetected.

Taking a normal flight with Ant, even in first class, was risky, but we’re due to land at Heathrow airport any minute now having made it through the entire journey without anyone recognising me. I suspect that’s partly because it was just the two of us, not the full entourage that usually accompanies me everywhere, and partly because I made a point of dressing down in leggings, an oversized t-shirt, and a sweater. I’m also wearing my glasses instead of contacts, and I added a ball cap to help hide my face.

“You should wait in the bathroom to be safe,” Ant tells me as we navigate the busy airport on our way to the baggage carousel.

I give him my most unimpressed look. “Seriously? We only just escaped the funk of the plane, now you want me to hide where it probably smells even worse?”