Page 43 of Something Like Sugar (Pine Forest Something #2)

SHANA

SIX MONTHS LATER

I s that a bow?” I whisper to Lemon from behind the most gawdy, hot pink ballet skirt imaginable, courtesy of my bestie, Devyn Lynn, of course.

“Yes, it’s a bow, and it matches the tacky little pink boots, now thank her or we will all hear about it for days, you know she overthinks more than you.”

“Fine,” I grumble. “But I want a present opening break after this. The baby is hungry.”

“The baby or you?” Lemon snorts when I give her the death glare. I’m eight months pregnant, hot, sweaty and tired , but my friends threw me this baby shower, and I love their thoughtfulness.

“Thanks, Dev,” I smile, stuffing the skirt and bag into Lemon’s overfilled arms. “And thanks for not hating us for keeping the secret so long.”

“I’d never hate you, Shana. You’re my best friend. I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect partner for my brother if I tried. Plus, we’re finally going to be sisters like we always wished!”

“True!” I smile, grateful as ever for this. My family. “Maybe you and Ellie can teach her the rodeo thing one day. Where is Ellie, by the way?”

“On a date!” Devyn purses her worried lips.

“I mean, it’s just Jonathan, and Hunter’s chaperoning, but can you believe that little sass-a-frass had to have the perfect boots to match her gun-holster.

” Jeremy, Lemon, and I exchange bewildered glances, and Dev just nods exasperated.

“I’m tellin’ ya! Y’all thought I was a cowgirl diva?

I have met my match and middle school’s barely begun! ”

We all laugh at that, knowing better than most that anyone matched to Devyn is inevitably a force to be reckoned with.

It’s crazy, seeing my best friend as a motherly figure and knowing I’ll soon be joining her in that journey. A new chapter of my life, yet to be written.

But as my belly swells and as our businesses grow alongside it, I look back on the last few years of my life, moments of hiding and waiting for the light to shine.

I’m glad I’m no longer waiting, because sometimes life is just dark, and the only light around is the one you can’t see until all the others have faded.

“There’s one more gift,” Lemon chirps, shoving a bag in my lap.

I groan, but she urges me on. “You want this one. I promise.” A tear slides down her face. “Open it, Shay.”

Memories spill free with the smell of the tissue paper.

Dad.

“By now, if you are reading this, I’m no longer in your sight.

But remember, dear child, I am always in your heart.

As I write this last goodbye, I smile from the depths of my soul.

I did not lie to say I embrace this death like a bride.

And I’ll be full by your mother once more, just as full as I am to know that you spin for more than just a mirror.

I’m forever with you, my Shaker, as you dance for your soul and the love it carries in its song. ”

The scent of his study lingers in the air that surrounds me, and I tug Lemon down for the biggest, most overdue hug of my life.

“Thank you for taking care of my father, Lem. You were like a daughter to him, and I can’t ever repay you for that kind of love.”

She shrugs, wiping her eyes. “I liked you better when you hid your feelings, you know?”

We laugh and hug and laugh even more when Dad’s gift is revealed to be a parody book for babies, To Pee or Not to Pee. He would. I look to the sky and shake my head. “Old Fart.”

“I know, right?” Lemon clicks her tongue, narrowing her eyes at an attractive older man whose daughters attend my dance classes.

Interesting.

“I was talking about my dad. Who were you talking about, Lemmy Cakes?” I quirk a brow, meandering to the snack table, closer to the man in question.

She follows, of course. She has no idea what to do with Dad gone and has started nursing me through my pregnancy at this point like I’ll go into labor at every turn, but that’s when I catch her staring again.

“I know who that man is to me, but who is he to you?” I raise a suspicious brow.

Lemon scoffs. “Stupid Mr. Nashville. Big time music tour manager who works for my father. Has horrible tastes in anything and everything if you ask me.”

“Seems like you can’t stop staring at him.

Horrible tastes and all,” I tease. “He’s an adorable father, you know.

I teach his twins. All the moms at the studio gawk over him incessantly.

There’s a pool going on for which one he’ll finally ask out.

” I press on, knowing she’s fuming with jealousy.

I can tell by the way she chews her lip. “My vote’s on Maisy Trotweather.”

“Oh my gosh, that gossip freak! He would never.” Lemon shoves her tongue in her cheek when my eyes widen at her outburst. “Whatever. He’s like forty or fifty or something.”

“He is not fifty!” I laugh. “I’ll give you forty-five, tops.” She rolls her eyes. “Well, he can take whoever he wants on a date, doesn’t mean he can still get it up.”

“Oh, come on, he’s not that old!”

“Why are you pressing this, Shana? He’s an elderly man with children to tend for. Leave him be.”

“I’m not pressing anything.” I giggle. “You keep staring at him and growling and drooling and…is that dark red lipstick?” I narrow my gaze. “You wore it for him! You only wear red before a conquest.”

“No, I most certainly did not, he likes the light pink kind better, thank you very much, and why the fuck do I know that? Damnit, Shana!”

“I’m waving him over. This is too good.”

“Shana Holiday, don’t you dare or I wi—”

“Mr. Nashville! Hey! Come here!” I shout as loud as possible, snickering when Lemon hunches down behind the cake.

“If you weren’t with child, I would so punch you,” she hisses.

“Good thing I’m with child, then.”

“Ugh, seriously liked you better when you were shy.”

“Miss Holiday.” He nods. “Miss…Perkins?” He peers around the cake as Lemon shoots upright. They stare at one another for a tense thirty seconds of throat clearing until Lemon finally throws her hair over one shoulder and lifts a single brow.

“Nice khakis.”

Okay.

His brow lifts back. “Nice clothes at all. Different from your usual style of none.”

“Glad you noticed. Was worried you needed new bifocals or something.”

“You know very well I’ve got 20/20 vision, Miss Perkins.” He smirks. “Wouldn’t give me so much to look at if you didn’t.”

Oh snap.

I fiddle with the snack table, sorting scones that don’t even have differences as I hear Lemon snort incredulously. “That’s rich. If I wanted your attention, I would be a chair, then you could sit on me instead of facing your fears like a man… Daddy .”

“Don’t call me Daddy.”

“Don’t make me want to . ”

I clear my throat, stopping the thing I accidentally started before it gets worse. “Thanks for coming Mr. Nashville! Just wait till you see Kimmi and Cami’s back walkovers, they are really coming along!”

I shove Lemon to the side, but before we can leave, he reaches for her hand.

She lets him.

“Your father tells me I’ll be seeing you on next month’s tour.”

“Seeing and watching are two different things, Nash .” Her violet eyes darken as a smile curves her lips, and she turns away, linking my arm and dragging me along with her.

“Walk super tall and confident!”

“Okay,” I chortle, “you are so into that guy.”

“What the fuck ever. Let’s go have your baby now, I’m bored.”

“Mhmm,” I tease.

“I said whatever!” She swats my arm.

“You like him, you like him, you like that hot old dad,” I sing through the field.

“You are such a weirdo, Shana Holiday. You’re just… you , you know?”

“I know,” I smile.

Because I love me .

Just the way I am.

Please enjoy the following teaser chapter from Something Like Starlight.