Meant to Marry Me

Concentrating usually wasn't an issue for Bree, particularly at band practice, one of her favorite places in the world to be, but the next day, after she'd given Trent her good news, found out his, and realized life isn't perfect, she was having issues keeping tuned in. While she hadn't let it actually affect her performance while she was singing, in between songs, her mind wandered back to the conversation she'd had with Trent, and she wasn't hearing a damn word her bandmates had to say.

"Let's take a coffee break." That, she heard, as Zach said it loudly, right next to her. Bree watched as the rest of the band scattered, including his girlfriend, Shawna, but she could tell by the way Zach was looking at her, his hands on his hips, that he had something he wanted to say to her.

He waited until everyone else was out of the small practice space before he asked, "Everything okay, Bree?"

She raised an eyebrow, picking up her almost empty coffee mug and wishing she could avoid his question by going to get a refill. But that would be rude, and this was the man who'd saved her life, along with Trent. "Yeah, everything's fine. Why do you ask?" She took a swallow of mildly cold coffee and choked it down.

He shrugged. "I don't know. You just seem a little... distracted today. That's all."

"Oh, well... yeah. I guess so." She wondered if everyone else had noticed, too. The fact that they'd all left so quickly the moment Zach had mentioned a break made her think they had. Perhaps they'd even been exchanging worried glances behind her back.

"You wanna talk about it?" He folded his arms, softening his expression, not that he'd been harsh to begin with. Zach was always nice, despite his muscular frame and his tattooed exterior.

"It's nothing really. It's just... Trent can't come to our first show." She shrugged, trying to play it off.

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." She could tell that he wanted to ask her why but was trying to decide whether or not that would be rude.

So she volunteered the information. "Yeah. He has some award ceremony that night. It's a pretty big deal. The New Nashville Entrepreneur of the Year awards." "Impressive. Sounds like a big deal."

"It is." She smiled, proud of Trent and his hard work, even if it meant he'd have to miss the concert. "So, I guess I'm just a little out of sorts, thinking about what it will be like to take the stage again, for the first time in a long time, without him there."

Zach nodded. "It'll be all right, Bree. I know that it means a lot to you to have him there, but we'll be okay. The rest of us will be there to support you." He gestured widely with his arms, reminding her that she was standing in the middle of her band's equipment, the instruments representing people who would always be there for her.

"I know you will be." Bree smiled, glad to have the reminder that she wouldn't be in this alone, even without Trent at the show. "There's just one thing, Zach." Bree blew out a deep breath, trying to decide how to word her revelation. "My ex- boyfriend plays guitar for Back Roads."

Zach didn't blink, only nodded. "Sam."

"Yeah. You knew that?"

"Of course I knew that, Bree. I had a crush on you for a while, remember? I know who all of your ex-boyfriends are." Zach looked slightly sheepish, as if he knew he probably shouldn't admit that aloud. "So what if Sam's there? You're engaged now. If anything, he'll feel like a total heel for ever letting you go."

"I broke up with him."

"I know that." He snickered. "I meant... ever messing up in a way that made you let him go."

Bree nodded, her mind wandering back to that night she'd caught Sam in bed with her college roommate, Melissa. "I don't want to see him at all."

"So don't. You're the big star here, Bree. If you don't have time to meet with the opening band, just don't see them. We'll make sure that you don't have to see him if you don't want to. Shawna might not be in the backstage hospitality business any more, but I'm sure she can politely ensure that Sam knows he's not to come anywhere near you, if that's what you want."

Bree nodded. That was what she wanted--wasn't it? Did she even want to see him? Probably not. "Thanks, Zach." She blew out a long, hot breath, relieved that Zach had noticed her mood and asked her what was happening. "Sure thing, Bree. We're all so glad you're back. We'll do whatever we can to make sure that you are as comfortable as possible." He opened his arms, and she stepped into them, the comforting hug of a friend helping relieve her anxiety. When Shawna stepped back in, she didn't sound at all concerned that her boyfriend was hugging Bree. "Oh, good. You're feeling better, Bree?" she asked in her sweet voice.

Bree looked up, stepping away from Zach. "I am. Thanks." The only thing that could've made her feel any better was coffee, and when Shawna offered her one of the two cups she was carrying, she couldn't help but smile as she took it, thanking her.

"Hey, where's mine?" Zach asked, nudging Shawna playfully in the arm.

"I only have two hands, and Bree's more important than you." She winked at him, and Zach leaned down to kiss her before heading off to get his own coffee.

Bree took a sip of hers. It was perfect--just the right amount of creamer. Shawna truly was a blessing. Not only was she kind and thoughtful, Bree wouldn't have to worry about her keyboardist going crazy and trying to kill her ever again. The rest of the band came back, and Bree set her cup aside, ready to get busy with rehearsal again, her mind completely focused on getting every song exactly perfect for the big show.

***

"Have you sent your tux out to be pressed?" Celia asked, a big grin on her face as she came into Trent's office, a stack of files in her hand.

Looking up from his computer, Trent took a moment to register what she was asking exactly. He'd been so focused on the account he was reviewing, he'd momentarily forgotten all about the upcoming awards ceremony, the one Celia had told him about the day before. "Oh, no, not yet," he said. "I probably need to get a new one anyway."

"Why is that?" Celia asked, sitting down in a chair across from his desk and placing the files in his inbox.

At least she wasn't sitting on the corner of his desk like she normally did. "It's a long story," Trent muttered, not really wanting to get into it.

"Well, I'd say I have time, but I wouldn't want my boss to think I'm not working as hard as I should be." She laughed, and he joined in, politely.

"I don't think there's any chance of that happening," he assured her. "In fact, if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be getting this award at all." Trent took on a serious tone, realizing just how hard Celia had worked. "I appreciate it."

A tinge of pink colored her cheeks. "It's no problem. I enjoy working here, working for you." The blush deepened. Trent tried not to raise his eyebrows as he wondered if there was more to that statement than either of them should note at the moment. "The invitation is right here." She pulled it out from between a few of the files, placing it on top. "It says you can bring one guest. I'm sure you and Bree will have a magnificent time."

"Oh, yeah. I'm sure we would. Except... Bree can't go." Trent picked up the invitation and looked it over, confirming that the event would be held on April 15, the same date as Bree's concert. The time wasn't conducive to him making both events either.

"She can't go?" Celia repeated, a look of shock on her face. "Why not?"

Setting the invitation aside, Trent shrugged. "It's her first show back on the road. She didn't have any control over it--and she certainly can't miss that."

"Well, no, I guess not." Celia shook her head in understanding. "That's really too bad. I'm so sorry she's going to miss it. But then... I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding a date." Celia's eyes bulged slightly. "I mean--not a date. I didn't mean a date date. I meant... someone to go with you. Not that it would be a date. Because you have a girlfriend."

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"Fiancée," he corrected, hiding a smirk at her awkwardness. Celia was usually so put together, it was amusing to see her flustered now.

"Exactly," she said, gesturing wildly with her arms. "So... yeah. I'm sure you'll find someone to go with you."

"Celia," Trent began, still trying not to laugh at her, "would you like to go with me?"

"Me? Go with you?" Her eyes widened as she leaned back in her chair.

"Sure. After all, if it wasn't for you, we wouldn't even be getting this award."

"Oh, I don't know about that."

"I do. You've done so much work this year, especially when I was out with Bree. If it hadn't been for you, we'd be struggling to keep our heads afloat, instead of making record gains. If anyone deserves to be there, it's you." "Wow, Trent, I appreciate that," Celia said, her smile sincere. "One of the reasons I love working here is because I feel so appreciated. It's a far cry from my last position, I'll tell you that much."

He was well aware that Celia hadn't been appreciated by her last firm and tried to go out of his way to make sure she knew how much he valued having her in his company. "You're great at what you do, Celia. It would be an honor to have you accompany me to accept the award on behalf of the entire corporation."

"In that case... it's a date," Celia said, a broad smile on her face for only a few seconds before she realized what she'd said. "I mean--not a date date." She shook her head, looking down at the floor, her short hair dancing around her ears as she tried to clear her head.

"I know what you meant," Trent assured her, standing up and offering her his hand. "I know you're aware that Bree and I are very happy together."

Celia shook his hand, meeting his eyes. "Yes, I know," she confirmed. Trent thought he saw something behind her smile, something he could only describe as pain--or possibly annoyance. "I am happy to accept the invitation." "Good." He let go of her hand, and Celia headed to the door, pausing in the doorway to look back over her shoulder and flash him a smile before she disappeared down the hall.

Trent sat back down, taking a deep breath and letting it go. Hopefully, this didn't come back to bite him. If Celia was starting to develop feelings for him beyond the professional relationship they already had, he didn't want to think about it. He'd cross that bridge when he came to it. With any luck, that was a worry he could just put out of his mind because he'd hate to lose Celia as an employee, but he certainly couldn't deal with another crazy woman trying to keep him away from Bree. He'd had enough of that to last him two lifetimes.