Endless Love Read online

  Cat swiped her key in the door of her third-floor room and pushed it open to find that her bags were already left beside the king-size bed.

  She crossed the carpeted floor to have a look out the window. She pushed aside the teal curtains and peered down at the gardens below.

  She knew what Jeff meant now. It was like something out of a fairy tale. The gardens were lush, and she could see a few wooden benches dotted around the lawn. She could see herself sitting on one of them tomorrow for the photo shoot with her guitar.

  She double checked her reflection in the mirror before heading downstairs to get a closer look at the gardens.

  Her blond hair was straight today, and her blue eyes looked a little tired but that had to be normal. She’d been on the road for almost a month, slowly making her way across the country to the east coast.

  She grabbed her leather-bound journal and a pen and headed downstairs, through the bar to the rustic double doors that opened up into the garden.

  Cat always had that journal with her. She never knew when inspiration for a song would strike and it was often at the most unusual times. Now, she was always prepared.

  She walked through the finely cut grass and over to the willow tree that dominated the outdoor space. Its branches reached out over the pond and Cat could almost see her album cover in her mind with her sitting below that tree with her guitar in hand.

  Cat strolled along the edge of the pond, noticing a few koi fish moving through the water.

  “Cat?”

  She turned when she heard someone calling her name and saw a woman walking towards her, her brown hair tied back in a ponytail.

  “Hi,” the woman said when she reached Cat. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’m Tori Erickson, your photographer for tomorrow.”

  “Oh hi,” Cat said, extending her hand. “Nice to meet you. Looks like we had the same idea.”

  Tori nodded. “It’s a beautiful spot. I’ve shot a lot of weddings out here but never a musician and I thought I’d better have a quick look around before tomorrow and see if I have any fresh ideas.”

  “It is beautiful,” Cat said. “I wasn’t expecting this at all. My manager, Jeff, found this place.”

  “Yeah. He was telling me. I talked to him yesterday to confirm tomorrow’s shoot. Do you want to have a drink? Talk about what you had in mind? It’ll save us some time tomorrow.”

  “Sure,” Cat said as she followed her inside.

  They took a seat in one of the booths overlooking the gardens. A waiter came over and took their order.

  “So, this is your debut album?” Tori asked.

  “Yes. I still can’t believe it sometimes.”

  “I listened to a few songs on my way over here. I love your voice but your lyrics… They’re deep… very moving.”

  “Thanks,” Cat said as the waiter brought them their drinks. She ordered a glass of wine and Tori had a beer. “Yeah. I’ve been writing for years and the album is really a story of the last… maybe, twelve years. I’ve been through a lot and I think the songs really show that.”

  “I completely agree,” Tori said. “From what I’ve heard so far anyway. I’ll listen to the rest this evening. Overall though… I think the theme of the album is about fresh starts and moving on?”

  Cat nodded. “Yeah.”

  “And there’s this eerie quality to your voice… It’s haunting… I was thinking about shooting late in the afternoon, into dusk, and some of those shots as the sun goes down will really convey that darker quality that some of your songs have.”

  “That sounds great. I wasn’t even thinking about the lighting. I was focusing on where I would actually sit.”

  Tori smiled. “All I think about is lighting.”

  Cat returned her smile. “I should have known. My ex was really into photography, so I do know all about lighting.”

  “Is that the subject of some of your songs?”

  “Yes,” Cat said with a shy smile. “But I think I’ve finally run out of things to say so I don’t know where the inspiration for the next album will come from,” she said with a soft laugh.

  “You’ll figure it out.”

  They chatted for almost an hour about ideas and the mood that the photo shoot would have. Cat liked most of Tori’s ideas and she was really looking forward to getting into it.

  “Do you want another drink?” Cat asked.

  “Sure.”

  “Okay. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Cat made her way over to the bar to order. She knew the waiter was busy, so she sat on a stool and ordered from the bartender.

  Chapter 7

  When Emma came back from her lunch break she spent the next hour on the phone with the hotel’s owner. He travelled most of the year and rarely made it to Liberty Park to check up on how they were doing so Emma spoke with him on the phone every few weeks to tell him how business was and to go over some numbers.

  He was easy to work with but meticulous. After Emma hung up she had to compile a report that he wanted to see as soon as possible so she got straight down to it.

  When she emailed the document to him, she leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms above her head.

  Emma was glad to have the distraction. She was already nervous about Caitlin’s arrival tomorrow.

  She didn’t know how she’d react to seeing her again after all these years. Just seeing her photo online sent her into a tailspin so she couldn’t imagine actually seeing her in person and trying to have a conversation with her.

  I could just avoid her… And save myself all this worrying.

  I have no professional reason to see her. My staff would have it covered.

  Tori knew the place well from years of shooting weddings and other events. She wouldn’t need Emma for anything.

  I could just take the day off…

  Emma sighed and logged out of her email account.

  I don’t know why I didn’t just tell Tori. She’s my best friend.

  Emma stood up and checked the time. Tori could still be here. Screw it. I’ll just tell her now.

  Emma pushed through the doors that led into the bar and saw Tori sitting in one of the booths beside the windows.

  “Hey,” Emma said as she approached her table. “I’m glad you’re still here.”

  “What’s up?” Tori said looking up at her.

  “I don’t know what to do,” Emma said as she ran a hand through her hair. She pressed her palms down on the table, gathering her thoughts. “I should have told you before…”

  Emma noticed Tori’s eyes focusing on something behind her. Emma turned to see what was distracting her.

  “Emma?”

  Emma’s eyes fell on Caitlin as she carried two drinks over to the table. She was stunning. Emma always thought she was but now, ten years later, she was sure that Caitlin was the most beautiful woman that she’d ever seen.

  Emma cleared her throat as she tried to keep her composure. “Caitlin,” she breathed as she stood in front of her.

  Caitlin left the two drinks down on the table and Emma couldn’t think of anything to say. She was lost in those blue eyes.

  “Do you work with Tori?” Caitlin asked.

  “No… I… I work here. I’m the manager. I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

  “We had a free day, so we said that we’d spend it here. Jeff, my manager, found this place online and he thought it would be the perfect location for some photos for the album… You look great by the way.”

  Emma could feel her cheeks darkening. “Thank you… So, do you… And congratulations… On the album. I heard ‘Endless Love’ on the radio. It was… beautiful.”

  Emma took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. She had assumed that the song was about them and Caitlin leaving but maybe she’d got it wrong. She didn’t know anymore. Standing beside Caitlin was almost dizzying.

  “Anyway,” Emma said, “I better get back to work.”

  “I’ll probably see you tomorrow
,” Caitlin said.

  Emma nodded as she made her way out of the bar and back to the lobby. She went outside and down the steps. She needed fresh air.

  She stood with her hands on her hips, looking up at the sky as she blinked back tears. The cold autumn wind blew through her jet-black hair while she tried to compose herself.

  Chapter 8

  “Emma, why didn’t you answer your phone last night?” Tori asked as she walked through the gardens the next day.

  “I was busy.”

  “During the week? At ten o’clock at night? I don’t think so. You were probably curled up with a good book.”

  “I was trying to avoid having a nervous breakdown if you must know,” Emma said, her hands on her hips.

  “Well, that’s why I’m here so early. What happened yesterday with Cat or should I say Caitlin?”

  “I don’t think I can talk about it.”

  “If you don’t talk to me, who are you going to talk to? I’m your best friend,” Tori said, leaving her camera down on the bench.

  “Maybe I don’t need to talk about it.”

  “I’ve always wondered about you and all of your failed relationships or attempts at relationships. Why is this beautiful, talented, generous woman still single? I think I know why now.”

  “Why?” Emma asked as she met Tori’s stare.

  “Cat broke your heart.”

  Emma held her gaze while she decided how much she wanted to divulge.

  “I knew it,” Tori said before Emma could open her mouth.

  “It’s actually worse than that. I broke her heart and my own by being too scared and stuck in my ways.”

  “You left her?” Tori guessed.

  “Well… Technically she left me, but I chose to stay here in Philadelphia when she wanted me to go with her to California.”

  “When was this?”

  “Ten years ago.”

  “And you haven’t seen each other since?” Tori asked.

  “Nope.”

  “Wow… Okay. That explains yesterday’s encounter.”

  “Yeah…”

  “What are you going to do?” Tori asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I don’t know… Do you guys need to talk? Do you regret not going with her?”

  “Yes…” Emma sat down on the bench and looked out at the pond. “I don’t know if that’s a conversation I want to have though. I tell her I was wrong and that I should have gone with her… Then what? She’s still living there I assume and I’m here with a job that I love now.”

  “Isn’t it at least worth having that conversation?”

  “I don’t know,” Emma said with a sigh. “I honestly don’t know.”

  “Well, she asked me to come have a drink with her tonight to celebrate the photo shoot. You should come. I don’t know if I can go but you should… At least talk to her. If you don’t, you’ll have even more to regret.”

  Emma nodded. “Okay… I’ll go. Just tell me when and where.”

  Chapter 9

  Emma made her way through the crowded bar and waited a few minutes to get the bartender’s attention.

  She’d never been to this place before. It reminded her of what Sheila’s had been like until it closed five years ago.

  It had a homely feel even though it was a bar. There weren’t as many couches as Sheila’s had but there was one or two alongside the far wall, across from the bar.

  The stage was at the back of the bar and three men were playing cover songs. In the center, the lead singer had an acoustic guitar with a keyboard player to his left and another guitar player to his right.

  Tori said that she might be coming but Emma had her doubts. She was starting to feel like she’d been set up. But she came anyway, daring herself to see Caitlin again and maybe act normal this time.

  Emma got her drink and waited for the song to finish and the lights to come up before she looked around for Caitlin.

  She brought the bottle of beer to her lips and noticed her sitting near the back of the room at a table for two.

  As everyone clapped and the band announced that they were taking a short break, Emma took a deep breath and made her way over to Caitlin’s table.

  “Hi,” Emma said as she stood in front of Caitlin. “Is it okay if I join you?”

  “Sure,” she said.

  Emma spent almost an hour getting ready tonight, trying on outfit after outfit and overthinking her attire. She’d settled with black skinny jeans and a white scoop neck top underneath her black blazer.

  Caitlin was wearing dark skinny jeans and a gray long sleeve top that clung to her slim figure, her blond hair in loose curls falling just below her shoulders.

  “I’m assuming this isn’t a coincidence?” Caitlin asked when Emma had sat down across from her.

  “No… Tori said that you’d be here, and she wasn’t sure if she could make it… So… Here I am.”

  “Ah…”

  “She’s my best friend,” Emma admitted.

  “That explains things.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She seemed... I don’t know… A little too interested in my personal life,” Caitlin said. “I almost thought she was hitting on me.”

  “I’m sorry… I had no idea.”

  “It’s okay,” Caitlin said as she took a drink.

  “So how did the photo shoot go?”

  “Really good. I can’t wait to see the photos. Tori seemed happy with everything so I’m confident there’s a few good shots I can use for the album artwork for the vinyl edition.”

  “That’s great. The location seems like it would suit the mood of your album.”

  “You’ve listened to it?” Caitlin asked.

  “Of course… I listened to it last night.”

  Emma noticed Caitlin’s cheeks darkening.

  Maybe I was right to assume that a few of those songs were about us.

  “So, how have you been?” Caitlin asked, changing the subject.

  “Good… I love my job, I found a nice apartment… My family are doing well. Life is pretty good right now.”

  “Are you still taking photos?”

  “Yes, but it’s just a hobby. Tori actually asked me to come to your gig tomorrow night. I sometimes tag along when she’s shooting.”

  “Are you coming?” Caitlin asked.

  “I don’t know… I thought it might be a little weird.”

  “Déjà vu?”

  “Yeah… Except you’re living your dream and I’m still an amateur photographer.”

  “You know that you’re talented. You could be taking photos full time,” Caitlin said honestly.

  “Thanks…”

  “You should give it a shot. Submit your work.”

  “You know me… Unfortunately, I don’t like risk or change.”

  “And how’s that working out for you?” Caitlin asked her seriously.

  “Not very well.” Emma swallowed the lump in her throat. She reached for her hand. “Look, Caitlin…”

  Emma flinched as Caitlin withdrew her hand almost immediately. She could feel her face drop and did her best to hide her emotions.

  “Emma, it’s not you,” Caitlin said quickly as she met her green eyes. “I’m just not really out anymore…”

  “What?”

  “Well… Country music has kind of adopted me.”

  “And now you’re playing it straight?” Emma asked in disbelief.

  “Kind of… Not really. Well sometimes, Jeff, my manager, has been mistaken for my boyfriend.”

  “And he doesn’t mind?”

  “He knows I’m gay…”

  “Wow. Well, that’s something I never thought I’d see. Caitlin Johnston playing it straight. Or should I say Cat Stone.”

  “I didn’t think Caitlin Johnston was very brandable…”

  “Are you happy?” Emma asked.

  “Yes… For the most part. Things are finally happening. It took ten years but I’m getting there.”
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