Page 100 of Hideaway Heart

When we were done, I hugged Ari and thanked her for the best burger I’d ever had.

“You’re welcome,” she said, taking a little bow. “The Bollywood Burger was my idea. I’m trying to get my parents to stir things up around here. The menu has been the same forever.”

“Well, it was delicious,” I told her. “And the sweet potato fries were perfect with it.”

“Thanks. It was really nice meeting you. Do you think maybe you could send an autographed picture for our wall?” She gestured to the photos above our booth.

“Of course! I’d be honored to grace the wall next to Dashiel Buckley.”

Ari made a face. “I’ll give you a better spot.”

I laughed. “Uh oh. Not a fan of Malibu Splash?”

“It’s complicated.” She waved a hand in the air. “But anyway, thank you so much for coming in! I promise to come to a concert on the next tour.”

“You better! Here, let me give you my number. Just text me what show you want to come to, and I’ll get you good seats and backstage passes.” We exchanged phone numbers and another hug before saying goodbye.

The kids wanted ice cream for dessert, so we wandered down the street, the guys up ahead with the kids, Veronica and I ambling a little ways behind.

“So you’re leaving tomorrow,” she said. “And Xander’s going with you?”

“Yes. He’s going to drive my rented minivan, and then fly home next week.”

“Are you glad to be going home?”

“Kind of.” I shrugged. “I’m excited about the awards show performance, but I also wish I didn’t have to cut my trip short. I really love it here.”

“You can always come back to visit,” she suggested. “I’m sure Xander would like that.”

“Oh, I don’t know. He’ll probably be glad to be rid of me.”

She glanced at the guys ahead of us. “My gut tells me that is not the case. Austin told me earlier he has never seen his brother like this over a girl.”

My face warmed. “Really?”

“Really. Escorting you back to Nashville just to make sure you’re safe there when his bar is opening at the end of next week?”

I winced. “I do feel bad about that.”

“Don’t. Xander is doing exactly what he wants to do.” She leaned into me, nudging me with her shoulder. “Because he cares about you.”

“I care about him too.”

“So why not make an effort to see each other again?”

I studied Xander’s back for a moment, and my stomach muscles tightened. He glanced over his shoulder at me, as if he wanted to make sure I was still there, and I waved before dropping my eyes to the sidewalk again. “Lots of reasons,” I said.

“Name one.”

“Distance. Nashville and Cherry Tree Harbor are not close.”

“You can afford flights, right?”

“I’ll be back on tour by early next year.”

“He could come to you.”

“He’s just starting a business. He can’t be leaving it all the time to follow me around the country.”