Page 132 of Movers and Shakers

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, feigning nonchalance. “I’ll figure it out.”

I did not, in fact, figure it out. Justice had gone pale when I told her of my decision, but thankfully, she didn’t tell me off. Instead, she called Malia, who jumped in to help set up replacementauditions. It was going to be tight with how little time we had. No one was angry with me, which was surprising, but I could tell this might change everything about the tour.

Everything ground to a halt while we looked for someone else. We were able to tell the team they could have some well-deserved time with their families, but we all knew it was because we needed someone new.

And fast.

“So, what do you need me to do to organize auditions?” I asked the day we told everyone they could go home.

“Nothing,” Malia said. “We’ve got it.”

“But I did this. I should help fix it.”

“Yeah, but you don’t have to jump in and fix it,” Justice added. “Everyone did need a break and you do too. When was the last day youdidn’trun two miles on a treadmill?”

I couldn’t remember. “It’s been a while.”

“Get some rest,” Malia said. “Maybe go see Barry.”

My cheeks heated. I didn’t expect Malia to remember Barry at all.

“I don’t know if he’s free—‍”

“For you? He will be.”

“One day, I’m gonna need all the info about this Barry guy,” Justice said. “But not today. I have other things to do. You go enjoy some time to yourself, Lila. We’ll call you in about two days.”

“O-okay,” I said, shocked they were willing to let me go at all. I thought I’d be pulling all-nighters to fix this, even if it might kill me to do so.

And yet, once again, my new team surprised me.

The first thing I did when I left Malia’s office was call Barry. It was early in the day, which meant he wasn’t busy with the bar yet.

“Hello, sunshine,” he greeted. “To what do I owe the pleasure of you calling me?”

He always talked to me like I was his whole world. I didn’t know if I would ever get used to it.

“For once, it’s good news. I have two days off. Mind if I come for a visit?”

“I would love that more than anything. But how do you have two days off?”

I winced and explained what happened with Jason, up to the moment Malia and Justice forced me into a break.

“So youwereright that something was wrong. I think you did the right thing.”

“I know I did, even if it’s making a lot of other people’s jobs harder. Why can’t the right thing just feelright?”

“The world would be a different place if the right thing was easy, but it’s hard, which makes it more incredible that you did it in the first place.”

I rubbed my warm cheeks. “I don’t know if I’ll survive seeing you in person again if you say things like that.”

“Hop on a plane and we can test it.”

“Are you even free?”

“I have a family dinner planned, but I can cancel.”

“Not with your parents, right?”

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