Her eyebrow lifted. “Tour to end? And then you'll write another album?”
He squeezed her hand. “The label wants one immediately, but I’m not sure I want to sign for more. My love songs might get better deals at other labels if I shop. Or I can just stop singing and touring and be happy, with you, in our home as I earned enough money to never starve.”
There he was again. Logical as always.
She walked with him toward the couch. As they sat, she asked, “Why? You’re not quitting music? Because you are clearly at the pinnacle of your career.”
The pinnacle where hair and makeup fussed at his wardrobe and every day he worked countless hours to perform a similar show night after night. Until Taylor, he’d thought his life monotonous. And now he had hope for a life he never thought possible with the best woman to hug and kiss him and make him feel alive.
He wouldn't trade that for anything. He took a bottle of water from the nearby table full of them, handed it to Taylor, and then opened one for himself. “I need a break to figure out what’s next once my own tour is over. I’d like for us to plan a proper wedding, with music executives and other celebrities, and to be photographed together.”
"I'm in." Her voice grew higher and faster which showed how excited she was as she said, “A wedding sounds amazing and I can ask all my friends.” She grew more serious as she studied him. “Though I think something else happened to you…”
“I’m happy,” he said fast and hoped he wasn’t becoming American with his heart on his sleeve for Taylor to see.
She crossed her arms and tilted her head. “No. What else--you can tell me.”
It was good that she knew him so well. It was part of why he loved her because he knew more about her than anyone. He averted his gaze and took another bottle of water. Singing made him thirsty. “I called my mother and told her about our marriage.”
“Ah.” She slipped her hand in his. “You did?”
His mother hadn’t exactly been open to the idea of Taylor. Her voice rang in his head as Taylor asked, “And what did she say?”
If he followed his parents' model, he’d only ever work and never settle for less than perfection. “That I should find myself a British girl who can make a proper cup of tea.”
A glimmer grew in Taylor’s eyes as they both stood.
The lights blinked.
His ride was waiting for him. She didn’t need to ask as it was the signal that her own hands did for her. It was time to leave now. She stayed beside him and said, “That… you wanted tea today bad, huh?”
A brief memory surfaced of Taylor in school when he’d been sick with a cold, bringing him ten different varieties of tea she’d found at the British store.
That moment had probably sealed the deal of his teenage crush on her. “Yes, but the hotel's wasn’t good.”
Once in the hall, Tam directed him toward his limo. He locked arms with Taylor as screaming fans never really left. Tam opened the door for them to run. Taylor said, “I’ll go find you a proper teapotso you can take it on tour. I promise I’ll win your mother’s approval, in time.”
“You don’t have to.” He waved hello to the crowds and headed toward the limo. Taylor couldn’t hide the pink glitter number she wore or her white snakeskin boots. Cameras were pointed at them.
Taylor scooted in first and caught his attention as she was breathtakingly beautiful, but he quickly slid in behind her and shut the door. Taylor said, “Eddie, you’ll be in Dallas tomorrow. So, I’ll find a good tea tonight, because tomorrow I’ll be in Kansas City…”
“I’m sure you’ll find one I like.” He rested his head on the back seat and added, “Your friends must be thrilled at how much money you are making. You girls, hopefully, have a good contract to where you’re getting paid properly.”
“I trust Val is taking care of the details.”
The driver took off as fans screamed his name. Taylor’s too.
She'd been seen and recognized.
She didn’t blink as she said, “Tomorrow we’re all meeting in Val’s suite at the hotel to find out where we are on the charts. We agreed, as a band, not to talk about it but we’re nervous.”
“Can I be there?”
She scooted closer so their shoulders touched. “I’d love you to come.”
Perfect. He closed his eyes and listened--silence as they left the stadium and screaming fans, to the main road.
Performing was the best part, but once in a while he preferred privacy. And with Taylor it would be nice to have a life to look forward to no matter where he was though he smiled and said, “Then I’ll have my pilot schedule my departure in the afternoon.”
She laughed and squeezed his arm. “Must be nice to have a pilot.” She sighed and said, “How do you see this year and a half working?”
His gaze swept across her face, wondering if she’d stay on the same page—but this time her smile was full and genuine. “I’m booked for another year, but you get some downtime and I have a jet. We can have our people coordinate when we’re close.”
Her grin doubled as she said, “That’s amazing. I wrote a song about you that made me realize just how much I love you.”
His shoulders relaxed. Nothing was in his way. He pressed closer to her as he said, “I can’t wait to hear it.”
She sat on his lap while she cupped his face. “After your world tour, can we talk about the wedding you want?”
He closed his eyes and imagined Taylor in a white dress coming toward him in his private chapel on his estate. Since he'd bought the home, he’d had the same dream again and again. “I’d like the world to see us have a proper wedding on my estate where I can show the fans I can still be their favorite singer without being single. We’ll model it after the royals.”
Her gaze gleamed as she laughed. “I finally get to see your house.”
Funny. To him she’d always been a part of having an escape home from all the musical career obligations. He had a studio and every room contained musical instruments, but all that was missing in his little haven he’d built was Taylor. “Then maybe we can write a new song, together.”
She sucked on her bottom lip and stared at his mouth with desire. “Give me a year and you’ll never get rid of me.”
“Then I’m excited for both of us,” he said, but she bit off more conversation with a kiss.
And now his life was perfect.
19
Taylor woke up late in Eddie’s hotel room and dashed about all morning. She was late, again—but then, she spent her life with her head in the clouds.
This was her usual. She’d admit it.
At least that’s how Eddie would probably describe her frantic actions, not that she’d asked.
Taylor motioned for him to hurry and he dutifully grabbed his jeans, changed from his sleep pants, and headed out with her once she was ready for the manic drive to her friend’s suites where they were all listening to the countdown together.
As they ran down the hall, at full throttle, Eddie squeezed her hand and whispered, “My wife is always slightly late.”
“I try to be on time.”
“I know. It’s why it’s endearing.” Sweetheart as always that she married and would come home too. He was the only person in the world keeping her sane right now.
Her life was moving full speed ahead, but she knocked and once Val opened, Taylor said as they headed into the living area, “We’re here.”
Rissa stared at the two of them holding hands. “Just in time. They are about to play the number one.”
She hugged everyone. “Eddie and I were listening in the car.”
C.C., black shades on, drumsticks in hand, said, “Commercials take forever when you’re waiting to hear the news.”
“Tell me about it,” Eddie agreed, and the room grew quiet.
Her mind raced. He'd had multiple number ones, so yeah, he must understand how her heart pounded in and out of her chest like she was the nail being hit with a hammer.
> Eddie took a seat, talking through the commercial about laundry soap, “With fifty-four million hits now and counting, even if the station plays someone else, completely undeserving, you girls are probably looking at over a hundred thousand a piece if your contracts are split evenly.”
Taylor looked at her mates, speechless. Finally, Katie Lyn asked, “Seriously? Val, is he right?”
Val nodded. “I was waiting to mention that until after we know about the song's position on the charts, as that is most important. I also have other news.”
"Wait!" Rissa screamed and turned up the DJ. “It’s time.”
The guest DJ announced, “And now for our number one hit. The girls from nowhere are here with 'Came to Nashville.'”
The song blasted in the air. Their song. Lipstick Outlaws.
Taylor screamed with the rest of them as she hugged C.C., Eddie, and then joined the group hug as she asked, “Is this real?”
Rissa said in all confidence, “We’re number one.”
“Yeah!” Cinnamon shouted.
Mac then added a fraction later like she was in shock, “Wow!”
And Taylor’s feet literally weren’t touching the ground. It was like she walked on air as they danced around the room, laughing like maniacs.
After a few minutes, they settled down and Katie Lyn asked, “Val, what was your other news?”
Val opened her tablet to show them something. “I have an endorsement deal with Amazon for their celebrity store.”
Taylor asked, “Amazon has a celebrity store?”
“Yes, they do.” Mac, who was the first to read, turned the screen around to where Selena Gomez and Zac Efron posed as well as a slew of athletes, singers and movie stars. Mac said, “They're putting together merchandising for the Sweethearts of Country and want to feature the Lipstick Outlaws as the country music celebrities.”
Taylor placed her hands on her chest as she asked, “We’re celebrities?”
Rissa rifled through the contract that was next to Val’s seat and said, “Celebrities selling jeans… and boots.”
Val quickly said, “And other things, like your albums.”
Taylor let out another scream. The dream was real. And she was here with Eddie who squeezed her in a hug.
His hand kept her grounded otherwise her head would literally float away like a balloon.
Val asked, “So, do you want to do this?”
“Absolutely.” Katie Lyn motioned for a show of hands by holding her hand up. Everyone else, including her, raised their hand high, and nodded in agreement.
Life was amazing. They were on track to reach more fans. Katie Lyn spoke for all of them as she said, “The last few weeks with Miranda are going to be just insane.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Eddie's calm voice was the only sense of normalcy in her head right now.
She saw him check his phone, then he showed her the time.
Drat. Instantly she was back inside her skin and she tugged for him to go with her to the patio for a moment alone. “Eddie, let’s talk.”
He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Taylor, you deserve this ride.”
She didn’t care what anyone saw; she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I don’t deserve anything, but I’m happy because you’re here, with me.”
He motioned with his head. “Then tell your friends about our wedding, before I have to go. I want them to know that we are the real thing.”
Of course. She kissed his cheek and they headed back inside as she said, “More good news.”
“Yeah?” Rissa, her closest friend these past few years, and smartest advisor, asked.
Taylor held up Eddie’s hand with hers and said, “Eddie and I are planning a wedding in London next year and I’m hoping every one of you can be a bridesmaid.”
C.C. peered over the top of her sunglasses, “Fly to London?”
Eddie said, “On me, of course. Children and significant others are invited. My house has forty bedrooms as well as the dower estate no one lives in.”
Everyone laughed and Eddie pressed his lips together as if uncertain.
Taylor squeezed his side. He'd sounded very upper class British there and her friends had no idea how down to earth and amazing he was.
Rissa said, all jokes aside, “Of course. We’re in. Taylor, you’re seriously getting married?”
Out of everyone else in the band, Rissa knew how many times Taylor’s heart had been ripped apart in a blender. “Eddie and I are in love.”
Rissa asked, “No doubts? No more fears?”
Taylor nodded and met Eddie’s green-eyed gaze as she said, “I finished my demo. Writing it was like therapy in helping me figure out my heart.”
C.C. put her drumsticks down. “Can we listen to the demo of your song about Eddie?”
Taylor hit play on her phone to the music and lyrics she’d recorded.
Everyone was quiet until the end.
Her hair stood on end, but she pressed off and said, “Yeah. I’m hoping we can record it as a group. I don’t know if I’d have found my love here and been brave enough to reach out without your support.”
Cinnamon was the first to break the silence as she said, “Taylor, this is a great song.”
Eddie beamed at her and she hoped he knew the song was about his kiss.
The others all nodded. She said, “I’m glad you like it.”
Eddie, the punctual one, said, “It’s getting late. I have to get going.”
She walked with him toward the door. “Eddie, I’m sad you’re leaving.”
He told her in an earnest rush, “Tam is talking to your record label about your upcoming tour and dates you’ve already booked. Are you open to joining me if you have some time off?”
They walked into the hall to have some last few precious moments alone. “There is nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“Then see you soon.” He didn’t move at all.
She bounced on her tiptoes and said as a finger went in the air, “One thing!”
He held his hands open for her and asked, “What’s that?”
She lowered her voice. “What if someone finds out we’re already married?”
He winked at her. “I’ll just tell them that you’re the girl I would marry in secret if you let me.”
Perfect answer. She kissed his cheek. “Eddie.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pivoted them toward the wall next to the door. “Look, we have it on lockdown at this point. No one will know unless we tell them.”
Her gaze met his as her body tingled for his kiss. “So, we just pretend we’re engaged?”
Their foreheads met as he said, “Yes, but we both know the truth and that’s all that matters.”
She sucked in her bottom lip and nodded. “That, and me winning over your mother.”
“That doesn’t matter.” He shook his head.
His phone beeped and he checked the message from Tam that said his limo was downstairs. Their time was up for now, but he tucked his phone in his back pocket and said, “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She kissed him. Being apart for a year and a half was possible as he said, because they loved each other. She believed that now.
When he kissed her, nothing else mattered in the world.
He squeezed her sides gently as the kiss ended.
Time wasn’t their friend, but he had to go.
He headed to the elevator and she stayed right where he'd kissed her last as she watched him.
As the elevator arrived, he waved goodbye.
The moment he disappeared, she sighed.
This was the hard part, but she was strong enough to wait.
As she headed into the suite again, her friends just stared at her. She took her seat, alone, and asked, “So does anyone know how to win over a proper British lady who loves art?”
Rissa laughed as she side-eyed Val. “Future mother-in-law issues already?”
Val gave her a stern look, but
Taylor tapped her cheek and said, “Not if I find a way to make her think the world of me.”
Taylor had a year to prove to his mother that she and Eddie were meant to be.
It was a project to work on while she waited for the love of her life. He’d waited three years to tell her how he felt so it was now her turn to wait for him. Then they could live happily-ever-after.
Epilogue
Eddie checked the time. Four was early for a bar to be open, but this was where his phone said Taylor was.
He’d flown to Nashville as a surprise to meet her. He’d had one show in the USA to do on his stopover from Oceania to England and then on to Asia, and she’d mentioned this bar in texts and emails. It had to be the place. He’d not seen her in 32 days, 17 hours, 15 minutes and 42 seconds according to his phone app. He opened the door and the six Lipstick Outlaws were on stage rehearsing "Came to Nashville." Right behind them was a six-foot wide turquoise horse hanging on the wall. She'd sent him pictures.
This was so very American. He hadn’t stepped foot in a bar since he’d been a student in New York, with Taylor, in the good kid crowd without fake ID’s. She'd shredded his when he'd tried.
Taylor was playing the piano and pointing in the air as she sang backup on the piano.
Always the gorgeous cheerleader, even when she wasn’t trying.
As the song ended, he clapped, and the girls stopped practicing.
Taylor bounced out off of her piano bench and rushed into his arms.
Holding her was exactly why he’d flown two hours.
And she smelled… like rosewater.
His mother’s preference for hosting an art show. The other girls milled around on stage as Taylor kissed him.
Her pink lips held a taste of sweetness that wasn’t anything sugary but even more delicious, and completely song-worthy. As the kiss ended, he asked, “So this is the Turquoise Horse?”
She led him up the side stairs to the stage. “Eddie, I’m in shock you’re here.”
He shrugged. “My show was cancelled in Philadelphia as the venue had structural damage.”
Taylor’s Legendary Heart: Sweethearts of Country Music, Book 2 Page 15
