By the time Cole checked into his hotel, it was a quarter to six and he knew Chelsea would be just getting home. He knew that she wasn’t going to be happy with his news.

“You’re in Nashville? I thought you were starting with your father today?” Her tone was icy and confused.

“I was on my way in. But then Black Duck studios called. They’re huge, Chelsea, and they want to sign me to a record deal.”

“So you just left. Without even talking to me first?”

“There wasn’t a whole lot to talk about. This is what I’ve always wanted. There’s no way I could say no.”

“I see. So, that’s it then? You live in Nashville now?”

“No, of course not. I’ll be home in a few days. But I will be spending more time here once we start recording and hopefully performing.”

“I’m not happy about this.”

Cole felt bad that he didn’t tell Chelsea in person. But, he meant what he’d said. There wasn’t anything to talk about and if the way this conversation was going was an indication, it would have been even worse in person.

“I’d hoped you’d be happy for me. You know I’ve always wanted this.”

Chelsea was silent and Cole could feel her fuming. “Chelsea, we’ll talk in a few days. We can find a way to make this work.”

“I have to go. Someone’s on the other line. Bye, Cole.”

Chelsea hung up and Cole sighed. It had been a long drive and a tense conversation. He needed to go for a long run, to work off some steam and tire himself out enough that he’d be able to get a good night’s sleep.

* * *

The next afternoon, he arrived at Black Duck studios at a quarter to two. He met with Gary and the studio head, Harry Evans, and a team of people whose names went in one ear and out the other.

“We all liked what we heard. We all saw you on the show and I for one am glad you didn’t win. Because now we have a chance to work together.” Harry looked around the room dramatically and everyone nodded.

“I couldn’t say anything to you then,” Gary said, “because we hadn’t ironed out all the details yet, but you were the first artist on my list. I’m looking to step back from performing myself and do more producing.  I think we worked well together on the show and I think this could be amazing.”

“I do too. I’m honored that you thought of me.”

“So, here’s what we’re thinking,” Harry began. He told Cole what the process would be and asked if he’d written any songs himself.

“A few. I’ve been playing around a little the past year or so.” He knew he was nowhere near Laura’s level as a songwriter, though.

“Okay, give Gary whatever you’ve got. We’ll review it all. We have a few other songs in mind for you too. And this is our standard contract. Why don’t you review it tonight and if all looks good, drop a signed copy back in the next day or two.”

“We can start recording sessions a month from now, if that works for you?” Gary asked.

Cole nodded. “That sounds great.”

As they walked out, Harry handed him two business cards. “Here’s my contact info, if you need it. You got a manager yet?”

“No, I probably should look into that.”

“Rick is Laura’s manager. He’s a good guy. Feel free to give him a call or ask around. Gary probably knows people too.”

“Give Rick a call. If you guys don’t click, I have a few other names you can try.”

“It may be premature to say it, but welcome aboard, Cole!” Harry slapped him on the back and Gary shook his hand. Both said they looked forward to talking again soon.

Cole was in a daze as he walked to his truck. As soon as he got inside and closed the door, he called Rick and set an appointment to meet the next day. Rick told him to bring the contract with him and before they hung up, he offered his congratulations too. There was one other person that Cole wanted to share his good news with. He looked her number up and Laura answered on the first ring.

“Hi Cole. Are you in Nashville already?”

“I am and I have some really good news. Any chance you might be available for a celebratory drink?”

“Of course. Where are you now?”

He smiled. “I’m just leaving Black Duck studios.”

There was a moment of silence and then Laura practically screamed. “Oh, my God, Cole I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait to  hear all about it. There’s a pub right around the corner from there. The Black Rose. I can meet you in about twenty minutes.”

* * *

When Laura arrived at the Black Rose, Cole was sitting at the bar and he grinned when he saw her.  She gave him a big hug hello and slid onto the stool next to him. The bartender, an older man with gray hair, a pot belly and a friendly smile came right over to take their drink order.  They both ordered the local IPA draft beer and as soon as their drinks arrived, Laura lifted hers to toast Cole.

“Congratulations! Now tell me everything.”

Cole told her about his afternoon at the studio and what Harry and Gary were thinking.

"They asked me if I've written many songs." Cole looked sheepish. "I mean, I've written some but nothing like what you've done. I guess I need to start working harder at that. They did say they have a few songs in mind for me, though, so that's good."

"I might have a few that could work for you." Laura immediately started to mentally sift through her catalog of songs and began to feel excited.  She could think of at least three, maybe four songs that could be well-suited to Cole's voice.

"You don't have to do that. I wasn't hinting. I hope you don't think that I was?"

Laura laughed. "Don't be silly. I literally have hundreds of songs and I would love for you to sing some of them. I’ll send you the ones that I have in mind. Hopefully one or two might work."

Cole looked excited by the possibility. "If you could, that would really be awesome."

Laura smiled. "So, when are you thinking about moving here?"

Cole took a sip of his beer and looked deep in thought for a moment. "I don't know that I'll actually be able to move here. I still need to talk this through with Chelsea. It kind of happened suddenly, and she is adamant that she doesn't want to move to Nashville. They want me to start recording in about a month."

Laura felt for him. She knew how badly he wanted to move to Nashville. She couldn't imagine not living there. It was the heart of the country music world. 

"Will you go back and forth, then? That might be kind of tough."

“It’s not ideal, I know. I’ll figure something out.”

"Well, I'm excited for you. When I get home tonight, I'll go through my stuff and I’ll get an email off to you tomorrow with a couple of songs. Let me know what you think and then I'll forward the ones you like onto Harry for approval."

Cole looked excited to hear it. "That would be awesome. I can't wait to see them."

Laura’s stomach grumbled, and she laughed. "Did you hear that? I haven't had anything to eat since breakfast. Are you hungry?"

"I can always eat. You want to grab a bite? I’ll get us some menus."

He got the waitress’s attention and after a quick look at the menu, they both ordered barbecued pulled pork sandwiches and fries. It was one of the things Laura had fallen in love with when she moved to Nashville. Tender pulled pork smothered in tangy barbecue sauce. It just wasn’t the same in Montana.

While they ate, Laura told him all about where to go in Nashville and all the different venues that she’d played. "Once you’re here, I'll introduce you to some folks and show you around. You’ll be in heaven with all the really great places to hear music." Laura was excited for Cole and was looking forward to showing him why she loved Nashville so much.

"I'd love that."

Laura's phone rang just as they finished eating and she saw that it was Dylan. She also saw that it was much later than she realized. She and Cole had been chatting for several hours and she’d lost all track of time.

"Where are you?" Dylan sounded tense and irritated when she answered the phone.

Laura hesitated for a moment only because she knew that what she said was likely to irritate him even further. "I'm at the Black Rose pub having a bite to eat with Cole. We’re celebrating some good news that he got today."

"You’re with Cole? At the Black Rose? I’m at your house waiting for you. I thought we’d have dinner tonight?”

"I didn't think we had dinner plans?" Laura was sure they’d never discussed it.

"No, we didn't," he admitted.  “But I usually see you most nights, and I figured you be home."

Laura began to feel irritated as well. "Well, I'm not home. Why don’t you come here and have a drink with us?"

"You're kidding right? Are you coming home soon?"

She sighed. "Yeah, I think we’ll probably be leaving soon.”

"Then I'll see you when you get here."

Cole looked concerned as she set her cell phone down. "I hope things are okay with you and Dylan?"

Laura reached for a French fry, annoyed that Dylan’s call had spoiled their celebratory mood. "I think he's a little jealous that I'm out with you. He shouldn't be."

"Of course not. I'm sorry if this causes any trouble for you." He looked uncomfortable and Laura spoke quickly to reassure him.

"Don't be ridiculous. I don’t need his permission to go out with my friends.”

Cole finished his last sip of beer and set his empty mug down. “I was going to suggest another drink, but maybe that’s not such a good idea now.”

“Probably not,” Laura agreed as she reached for her glass which was almost empty. “He said he’s waiting at home for me.”

Cole insisted on picking up the check when the waitress brought it over and Laura finally agreed on the condition that she could return the favor.

“When are you heading back to Charleston?” she asked as they walked out to their vehicles.

“Tomorrow. I have a meeting with Rick in the morning and then I’ll be heading home after that.”

“You’ll like Rick,” she said as she reached her car.  “I guess I’ll see you in a month or so, when you’re back in town. Unless I get up to Charleston before then. I’m still hoping that I’ll be able to get away for a few days.”

Cole smiled. “Well, if you do, be sure to give me a call. I’d love to show you around.”

“I definitely will.” He gave her a quick hug goodbye, and she watched him walk away as she got into her car. She was glad that he’d called her and she was thrilled for him. She knew exactly how he felt and it was exciting to see someone else go through what she’d already experienced. She felt such a strong comfort level with Cole, like no one else, except maybe Tina. But she still couldn’t remember much about their past, only that there was one. It was frustrating to know her memories were so close, yet she still couldn’t grasp hold of them. 

* * *

As Laura drove home, she was already dreading the conversation with Dylan. She hadn’t liked his tone. He clearly had trust issues, and he’d grown more controlling lately, ever since he’d given her the engagement ring. When she pulled into the driveway, he was leaning against his car with his arms folded. Laura took a deep breath as she got out of her car. She was grateful that she hadn't gotten around to giving him a key to her apartment. He'd asked for one more than once and she’d agreed but hadn’t done it yet.

"Nice to see you, finally," Dylan said as Laura walked over to him. He pulled her in for a hug and a quick kiss. He seemed calm enough and there was even a hint of a smile as he suggested that they go inside. Laura relaxed a little. Maybe he wasn't as mad as she’d thought he’d be.

But once they were inside with the door closed behind them, his smile faded.

"So, why were you out with Cole? What's going on?"

Laura saw the anger in his eyes and noticed a muscle in his jaw flicker. Dylan was furious.

"Nothing is going on. Cole and I are friends. He got some good news today and wanted to share it with someone. Someone who understood."

“And what kind of news would you understand?"

Laura smiled, hoping to diffuse the tension in the room. "He signed with Black duck studios today. They want him to make an album."

"Well, isn't that great for him?" Dylan looked less than pleased with the news. "So, how did he know how to get in touch with you? Did you give him your number?"

Laura took a step back, not liking the look in Dylan's eyes. She said nothing as he looked around the room and then picked up an empty beer bottle sitting on the counter.

"Yes, I gave him my number and asked him to keep in touch. That's what friends do."

Laura jumped as Dylan smashed the beer bottle down hard against the counter sending pieces of broken glass everywhere. His face took on a red flush as he shouted, "We're engaged! You will not be giving your number to any other guys from now on."

Laura stared at him in horror. Another memory suddenly flooded in. She was about thirteen and her mother had been dating a new guy for a couple of months. He had a temper and he and her mother got into a fight about something stupid and he smashed his fist into the wall. It terrified Laura at the time and it made her mother so furious that she broke up with him immediately and told Laura that it was a good lesson to never put up with anything like that.

Laura slowly worked her engagement ring off her finger and set it on the counter.

Dylan's jaw dropped. "What are you doing?"

"What I probably should've done when you gave the ring to me. I'm not ready for this and after what I just saw, I'm done.”

"So, it's true then. You’re getting back with Cole?”

Laura laughed. He was ridiculous. "No, I'm not. One, we’re just friends and two, the last I knew, Cole was still married."

"You’re overreacting. Put the ring back on Laura. We can work this out." Dylan’s tone was different now, calmer and almost pleading.

Laura shook her head sadly. "No, Dylan. We can't. I'm sorry."

"So that's it then? You seriously want to break up?" Dylan was annoyed again and frustrated.

"I do." Laura picked up the ring and handed it to him. He grabbed it from her and stuffed it in his pocket and turned to leave.

"This isn't over Laura," he said as he opened the front door.

Laura breathed a sigh of relief as soon as the door shut behind him. She grabbed the dustpan and brush and quickly cleaned up the broken glass in the kitchen. As soon as it was taken care of she collapsed on her sofa and pulled a soft throw blanket around her. She was sad about what just happened with Dylan, but she also felt like a giant weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She knew that she’d made the right decision to end things with him.