Page 165 of Movers and Shakers

Maybe Barry was happy to leave. I knew he was itching to get back to his bar and his work, and I didn’t blame him for that. I only hoped he was going to miss me as much as I was going to miss him.

Mickey left shortly after, promising to see us all again, and I beelined for Barry.

“What did you think?”

“He knows the stuff.”

“Do you get a weird vibe from him?” I asked lowly.

“Yes, and as much as I’d love to tell you not to hire him based on that, I might just be jealous that someone else is going on tour with you.”

“You know he’s not going to replace you, right? We’ll talk every night.”

“I know, which is why I’m reining it in. I have the bar and you have this. We have to be separated sometimes.”

“It sucks, though.” I smiled at him, but we could both tell I was forcing it. “When do you need to go back?”

“I have no idea. Audrey and Liam haven’t had any issues. Every update they give me is good. But I do know they’re the kind of people who would take on way too much to give me a break.”

“Do you think they’d be okay with you staying one more night?” I wouldn’t have been angry if he told me no, but I was desperate for just a little longer with him. “You could head out first thing in the morning.”

He thought about it for a moment. “I think I can do that. I couldn’t get back in time to help them with tonight’s rush anyway.”

I nodded, grateful for every extra second he would give me.

As we drove home, my mind was bustling with all the things I wanted to do with him, whether it be sex, cuddles, watching a movie, or simply writing a song together.

Once I had the last idea, however, it wouldn’t leave.

“I know this is our last night,” I asked as we pulled into the garage, “but I have this song idea . . . about saying goodbye. Would you kill me if I said I wanted to write it with you?”

“Absolutely not. Where’s your notebook?”

I dreaded every second of the drive to the airport. Somehow, I managed to keep my cool even as we pulled up.

Lyrics we’d just written last night played in my head, things likeI don’t want you to goandcome back forever.

“Well, I guess this is it for a while.” My voice cracked. “At least for you staying with me. I have a week-long break two months into the tour. I’ll come see you then.”

“Of course. I’ll be waiting.”

My lip wobbled, and as much as I didn’t want to cry, I could feel the tears forming.

“Come on,” he said, his hand trailing my face. “Don’t cry, sunshine. I won’t be able to leave if you do.”

“I just . . . like having you around. I hate separating.”

“It’s just for a few months. We can call each other.”

“It’s not the same,” I protested. His lips pressed together and I could see him take a second look in the direction of the security line.

But as much as I wanted him to stay, I knew he couldn’t.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I know it’ll be okay. I’ll just miss you, and I’m not used to that.”

“I’ll miss you too,” he replied. “Every day.”

My eyes watered again, but I nodded, pulling him into a tight hug. I took in everything I could, his scent, the feel of his shoulder pressing into my cheek, in some hope that I would remember this forever.

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