Page 21

It’s kind of nice going to a smaller town than this one where hardly anyone knows the name Cassidy Blake.”

“I can imagine, but if you’re so against the extra attention, why do it at all?” The words slipped from my mouth before I could pull them back.

To my surprise, Cassidy didn’t miss a beat. “I liked it in the beginning. Getting recognized for something I’d worked so hard on was great, but over the years, it’s become rather intrusive.” She released a long breath and looked down in her lap. “I wanted to give my mother the funeral she deserved, but I couldn’t because I knew the entire town would show up.”

“That wouldn’t have been so bad.” At least I didn’t think so.

“No, but then you get the reporters and someone taking a shot of a private moment. I just couldn’t face that after she passed away. It would’ve made the day about something else besides her and tarnish her memory, so I had to do something private instead.” She choked back a sob, then waved me away when I rushed over to give her a handful of tissues. “I can’t even visit her grave because someone might be there.”

“You think people hang out at her grave waiting for you?” I asked, lowering onto the sofa beside her.

She shook her head, her hair shielding her eyes from view.

“I don’t know what to think, but it’s the fear that keeps me from visiting.”

“I haven’t gone to see my dad in a while,” I said, grimacing when guilt tightened in my chest. “I went a few times, but it only feels cold and lonely when I do, so I just stay here.”

“It must be hard but also sounds kind of nice having a place you shared with him.”

“It is,” I agreed, smiling when she looked at me again.

There were tears in her eyes, and when I reached out to caress her cheek, she didn’t stop me, leaning into my touch instead.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized, pulling back before I did something we’d both regret.

“Don’t be. You’re the first person who’s truly treated me like an actual person since my mom passed away. My manager thinks I’m a superhero and can’t be bothered by feelings, and I haven’t told anyone else. They just think I’m on break. Well, aside from Joel, that is. He knows, but he’s so busy with work that I haven’t been able to keep up with him.”

“Your friend, right?” When she nodded, I smiled. “At least you can still talk to him.”

“I can, but our conversations are usually rushed. He did promise to visit me when I go back on tour, so there’s that.”

She cleared her throat, blew her nose, then put the tissue in her pocket. “Look at me being a blubbering mess when I haven’t even asked you how you’re doing. Are you feeling any better?”

The way she looked at me then with stands of hair stuck to her cheeks, I couldn’t help but smile.

“I am, actually. The coffee helps.” And I was pretty sure the muffin would as well.

She got quiet then, and at first I thought it was something I’d said, but then she asked me something I never thought I’d ever hear. “If I went to visit my mom…” She shook her head.

“Nevermind.”

I reached over and placed my hand on hers. “Would you like me to go with you?” I knew what it was like having to visit the cemetery after losing someone. It was nerve-wracking and always left an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

The fact Cassidy never got to go and the way she asked then, I could tell she needed the company.

“You don’ think it’d be weird?” she asked, looking at me with disbelief. “I mean, we know each other, but I’m sure you’d rather stay here.”

“Maybe,” I said, “but if I do, would you actually go on your own?” When she didn’t say anything, I continued. “You should at least see her before you go back on tour,” I told her matter-of-factly. “When you do, I’d be happy to join you.”

I couldn?

??t believe what I’d just said. Cemeteries gave me the creeps even before my folks passed away. I wasn’t one of those kids who walked around in the cemetery taking pictures and hated when my folks took us there to visit some of our other relatives.

Still, if it would put Cassidy’s mind at ease, then there was no way I couldn’t help.

She doesn’t have anyone else. She’d said so herself, and aside from her old friend who was who-knows-where, I was the best thing she had.

“Think of it as a support group,” I said after giving it some thought.