Page 16 of Wet and Reckless (Private Pleasures 4)

“No. She left most of her stuff behind when she and my dad eloped. I have a Polaroid of them on their wedding day and a small album of pictures of us at places like the Grand Canyon and Times Square, but we traveled so much I didn’t really have the luxury of packing a bunch of memory books in the back of our van.” She flipped to the next tab and examined a photo of her mom on stage flanked by two other girls, holding a guitar and singing into a microphone.

Addy eased closer to see the page. “My aunt said your mama had loads of talent. Everybody loved to hear her sing. This place missed her when she left.”

“She missed this place, too. I heard it in her voice every time she talked about her hometown, but then she’d blow a kiss to my dad and say destiny had a different plan for her.”

“According to DeeDee, any fool could see Brianna was a goner the minute she clapped eyes on a certain bad-boy rocker playing his heart out on stage at the county fair.”

Roxy smiled. “Daddy tells it as he was struck dumb right in the middle of a set when he spotted a girl in the crowd glowing like a star and singing like an angel.”

Addy sighed. “Love at first sight.”

“At first kiss,” Roxy corrected. “Mom claimed he was just a pretty man with a sweep-you-off-your-feet smile and a way with a song until they kissed, and then boom”—she spread her hands and wiggled her fingers to pantomime fireworks—“soul mates.”

“That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Yeah.” She looked down at eighteen-year-old Brianna Belle smiling up from the yearbook page. There was already a faraway look in her eyes, as if she knew in a few short months her life would change forever. She’d fall in love with a road musician, get pregnant, get married, and spend the rest of her life chasing music and dreams. Impulsive as it all may have been, her mom had been happy in love, as had her dad—they’d been right about the soul mates thing—but she’d always had a cautionary word for her daughter.

Go on dates. Dance in moonlight. Watch a sunrise from the shelter of strong arms, but baby girl, be careful who you kiss. A kiss has the power to unmoor your heart and set sail with your soul. It can change everything.

Addy sighed again. “On their first day of kindergarten, my mama marched up to my daddy, handed him a plastic shovel, pointed to the sandbox, and told him to dig. He says he knew from that moment she was the one for him. A couple minutes later, he presented her with a plastic ring he found buried in the sand. They were sweethearts ever since. Got married a week after graduation and have barely spent a day apart in the last thirty years. Mom still has that plastic ring tucked away in her jewelry box like it’s a diamond from Tiffany’s. Kind of a tough act to follow, huh?”

Roxy laughed. “I’m still waiting for the pretty man with a sweep-you-off-your-feet smile to show up and say hello.”

“Hello,” a deep, male voice with a hint of the Kentucky drawl Roxy was getting used to sounded from behind her. She swiveled on her barstool and came face to face with Paul Walker’s clean-shaven ghost in a crisp, blue-and-white checked button-down and lightweight blue trousers. Neatly trimmed blond hair waved back from a dazzlingly handsome face. And his polite smile? Definite feet-sweeping potential.

“Hey, Roger.” Addy slipped off her stool and into the man’s embrace. “Thanks for meeting us.”

He kissed her cheek. “No problem. I planned to swing by anyway. On the down low, I’m here for Junior’s bachelor party.”

; Addy settled back onto her bar stool. “I thought Lou Ann put the kibosh on that.” To Roxy, she added, “Lou Ann and Junior are the wedding reception I told you about.”

Roger propped his forearms on the bar and leaned in close enough that Roxy could smell his cologne—something sophisticated and expensive. His blue eyes twinkled. “She did, which is why it’s on the down low.”

“Y’all know nothing happens on the down low in this town.”

“Well—” He broke off and made a show of looking around to ensure no one eavesdropped before continuing. “Melody worked on Lou Ann and convinced her to look the other way so long as everyone abided by the golden rules.”

“And what golden rules would those be?” Addy wondered.

“No strippers. No hookers. Nobody gets naked. She also tossed in the requests that we do it mid-week, find a designated driver for Junior, and have him home by the stroke of midnight.”

“Aw. Just like Cinderella.” Addy put a hand to her chest as if to still her pattering heart.

“And I’m not his fairy godmother.” He winked before adding, “Thank heavens.”

Addy laughed. “Fairy godmother. Ha. You’re funny. Who drew the short straw?”

“I don’t know. They’re hazing someone, but it probably won’t come to that because Melody said Lou Ann planned to swing by later to make sure the rules went unbroken, in which case she’ll drive him home as long as the guys can pour him into her car. I’m keeping my mouth closed and my fingers crossed.” He turned his charming smile and breathtaking blue eyes on Roxy, and she felt a flutter of pure, feminine appreciation. “Pardon my manners. You must be Miss Goodhart?”

She shook the hand he offered. “Call me Roxy.”

“Roger. Pleased to meet you. May I?” He pointed to the empty barstool next to her.

“Of course.” She faced front again as Jeb brought a bottle of Sam Adams for Roger, who nodded his thanks.

With a pang of regret for the pages she hadn’t gotten to, she pushed the yearbook toward Addy. Her boss shook her head. “Keep it for a bit. Aunt DeeDee thought you might want to make copies of some of the pictures. The postal annex can digitize them for you, and they won’t charge an arm and a leg.”