Page 99 of The Perfect Melody

When we pull up outside The Dragonfly a few minutes later, I’m relieved to see everything looks normal. Call me a coward, but I was too scared to leave Austin’s place yesterday. The whole overprotective thing may be frustrating but we both know his concerns aren’t unfounded. It’s why I agreed to let him drive me to the B&B despite it only being a short walk from his place. Even I can admit it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Nobody’s at the reception desk when I walk inside, so I’m able to dart upstairs to my room without stopping for anything, just like I promised Austin. Liam and I agreed that he and Bailey will stay in my room here while they’re visiting. After a little convincing, Austin got me to commit to staying with him even after Bailey and Liam leave. The B&B can’t offer me the level of privacy and security I need now that my identity’s been revealed. It won’t take long for it to get out that The Dragonfly is whereI’ve been staying, and the last thing I want is to put Esther and her husband Thomas under unnecessary stress because people have swarmed the place hoping to get to me. While Austin and I aren’t ready to move in together for real, it’s the safest solution for everyone until I can find a place of my own.

Unable to sit still, I make a start on packing up my stuff while I wait for Bailey and Liam to arrive. I’m zipping up my bag when my phone chimes with a text.

Liam:

We’re here. What’s your room number?

Me:

Room 8. It’s upstairs.

A couple of minutes later, there’s a knock at the door. The second I have the thing open, Liam pulls me into a giant hug.

“Thank God you’re OK.”

“I told you I was fine.” My reply is muffled against the cream shirt covering his chest.

“Yeah, but you’d insist you were fine even if you were on your literal deathbed, so…”

“Alright, enough. It’s my turn.” Bailey shoulders her way between us to give me a gentler but no less enthusiastic embrace. “We’re so glad you’re alright.”

“Thank you.” I step back, letting them into the room. “And thank you for coming. I can’t believe you’re here.”

I take a proper look at them, noticing Bailey has perfectly paired her lilac sundress trimmed with white lace with a matching lace bow in her half-ponytail. The navy sailboats embroidered on Liam’s shirt match his chino shorts and, unlike the last time I saw him, he’s clean-shaven. That must have been for his cover shoot, since I know he prefers to keep a short beard. They look well. Happy.

It doesn’t make my heart ache with longing the way it did the last time I saw them. My life is so different now, full of so much more joy. The only question is, can I hold on to my newfound happiness, or will Miranda ruin the life I’ve built here the way she ruins everything else? I want to stand up to my mother, but it’s never been that simple. Then again, I’ve never had so many people on my side before.

“Of course we came,” Bailey replies. “We’d have been here sooner if it weren’t for Liam’s cover shoot. Plus, it’s nice to have an excuse to come back, even if we wish our visit was under better circumstances.”

“Exactly,” Liam agrees. “We might even pay your boyfriend’s bar another visit while we’re here.”

“You two went to Bowman’s at Christmas?”

“Yep. I have fond memories of the outdoor seating in particular.”

Bailey’s cheeks flush bright pink, and I decide I don’t want to know.

Before I can invite them to sit, there’s another knock at the door.

Liam’s brow furrows. “Are you expecting anyone else?”

“No. It might be Esther—I called yesterday afternoon asking her to change the bedding in here for you two.” Actually, I offered to change it myself if she dropped it off for me, but she was having none of it.

Cautiously, I open the door, relaxing when I see it is in fact Esther waiting on the other side, wearing a lovely green midi dress.

“Thank goodness you’re here. There’s a woman in the reception area demanding to speak with you. I tried telling her I don’t know you and she must have the wrong place, but she told me she knew for a fact that you were staying here.”

My stomach churns with unease. “Did she give a name?” I ask, even though I already know who it is.

“Miranda St. James. She says she’s your mum, but I wanted to check with you first. I’ve seen all kinds of stories about fans trying to con their way into places.” Esther fiddles with the fabric belt of her dress. “I told her to wait, but she’s making quite a scene.”

“I’m so sorry, I’ll come down and deal with her right now.”

“We’re coming too,” Liam says, his tone allowing no room for argument, not that I was about to refuse their support. I’ll take all the backup I can get when dealing with my mother.

“This is outrageous. I demand to see?—”