A Winter Wedding. Brenda Novak

she could tackle such a big challenge at the moment.

      “Working might take your mind off...things. Provide an outlet,” he went on.

      Her feelings were too raw to be able to concentrate. She’d checked her phone before getting in the shower. Derrick hadn’t tried to reach her. She’d thought, after the way they’d ended their conversation last night, he’d call first thing this morning to say he’d told Crystal she’d have to find another manager. It was two hours later in Nashville, almost eleven. He had to be up. And yet he hadn’t even texted her.

      Were they really over? After three years and the hope that they’d soon be married?

      It was almost inconceivable that so much could change so fast. How could he do this to her, on top of the huge helping of disappointment she’d been served in the past year? He knew what she was dealing with, and yet he didn’t seem to care. All he could talk about—when she overheard him talking to others—was how talented Crystal was. It felt as if the whole music industry had turned its attention to Crystal and forgotten about her.

      “I’ll try,” she said, but as soon as Kyle left, she barely cast her guitar a glance before crawling back into bed.