“Ruby has no concept of boundaries.” I squeeze her hand. “But she means well. She’s wanted me settled for years.”
“Settled.” Sami tests the word. “Is that what we are?”
“Of course. What else would we be?”
“It’s been two weeks, Axel.”
“And?” I shrug. “Time is just a number.”
“A pretty important number for most people.”
“We’re not most people.” I turn onto the long road that leads to my house. Our house. The perfect moment approaches. “Speaking of the future, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
She turns toward me, curiosity clear in her expression. “What is it?”
“I made a call earlier this week.” I pause, building anticipation. “To Lane Rivers.”
“Your contact in Nashville?” Her brow furrows slightly. “Why?”
“Because I believe in you.” I slow the truck, wanting to watch her face for this next part. “I sent him recordings of you playing.”
Her body goes completely still. “What recordings?”
“From when you played at the house. I have a recording setup in the living room. For when the band works on new material.” I see shock register on her face, quickly followed by confusion. “I hope you don’t mind. I wanted him to hear how talented you are.”
“You recorded me without telling me?” Her voice wavers between disbelief and something else.
“I wanted it to be natural. Not something you overthought or prepared for.” I turn onto a scenic overlook and put the truck in park, needing her full attention for this. “Lane listened to them yesterday.”
Sami’s hand tightens in mine. “And?”
This is it. The moment that seals everything.
“He wants to meet with you. Said your compositions have exactly the emotional depth he’s been looking for in his film projects.” I watch her face carefully as I deliver the news. “He’sworking on two independent films right now and wants to discuss bringing you on to score sections of both.”
Her expression transforms before my eyes.
Disbelief. Shock. Hope.
Joy.
Each emotion washes over her face in waves, her green eyes widening as she processes what I’m telling her.
“That’s not possible.” She shakes her head. “Lane Rivers is a major name in the industry. He wouldn’t just offer something like that to someone with no professional experience.”
“He would if that someone had raw talent that blew him away.” I reach out and cup her cheek. “This is real, Sami. He heard something special in your music. Something worth investing in.”
Tears well in her eyes. “This isn’t just you pulling strings? Using your connections to get me a pity meeting?”
“Fuck no.” I need her to understand this part clearly. “I made the introduction, but the interest is genuine. Lane doesn’t do favors that could cost him money or reputation. He’s a businessman first. He wants you because you’re good. Because your music touched something in him.”
A tear spills down her cheek. I catch it with my thumb.
“When would he want to meet?” Sami asks.
“Next week. He’s flying into Jackson for some other business and wants to have lunch with us.” I stroke her hair, memorizing every detail of her face in this moment. “If things go well, he’s prepared to offer you a contract for both films. Paid work, Sami. Doing exactly what you’ve always dreamed of.”
She throws herself across the console and into my arms, nearly strangling me with the force of her embrace. Her body shakes with sobs, but I can feel her smile against my neck.
