Annie woke and immediately knew where she was. The posh digs, the softest sheets in the world draped around her, and the unbelievable quiet. She looked at her phone. “Holy shit!” She’d been asleep for eleven hours. Slipping from the warm bed, she padded over to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Bristol was probably downstairs pacing, wondering if she was still alive or had split in the middle of the night. When she saw the stack of fresh clothing on the counter, she knew Bristol had checked on her. The bathroom had everything she needed. New makeup, hair products, face lotions, and the fluffiest towels Annie had ever wrapped herself in. She slipped into shorts, a T-shirt, and a hoodie. When she made her way downstairs, Bristol was on the couch reading a book. She stood when Annie walked in.

“I’m so sorry I slept that long.” Annie covered her face with her hands. “I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. You needed the sleep. I only woke up an hour ago. How are you?”

“I feel amazing. That bed is so comfortable.”

“Are you hungry?” Bristol asked.

Annie nodded. “I could cook for us this time.”

“Or I could order takeout if you want to sit and chat for a bit.”

“Chat. Okay. That sounds nice,” Annie said. She fell on the couch next to Bristol and took her hand. It gave her comfort to have a physical connection, even if she hadn’t sorted through the reasons why.

“Tell me about a day in the life of Annie Foster.”

Annie pursed her lips and shrugged. “It’s pretty normal. I get up about nine and work on jingles if I have a project. If I don’t, then I work on songs. I perform Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sundays at The Night Owl.”

“Coffee & Chords on Wednesdays, right?”

“Yes. It’s so much fun. There’s so much talent in Denver.”

“Lizzy found you at the hospital, of all places.”

“Why was she there?” Annie asked.

“For hydration therapy. Sometimes she gets dehydrated on the road. We aren’t the best eaters or drinkers,” Bristol said.

Annie noticed that Bristol looked away when she spoke about it, so she gingerly changed the topic. “Let’s see. I sing songs for the kids in the cancer ward. It’s so rewarding. They have so much fun on music days.”

“I’m sure they love it,” Bristol said.

Annie nodded. “And most of my evenings are spent at The Night Owl, even when I’m not performing.”

“What do you do for yourself?”

“I play my music.”

“When was the last time you dated anybody long-term?”

“Maybe a year ago? You?”

Bristol threw her head back and laughed. “It’s been years.”

“So, do you ever hook up with groupies? I mean, I know that sounds so stereotypical rock star.”