Page 24 of Movers and Shakers

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“Even if nothing betweenuscan happen? I’m not like Blaze—I won’t cheat on him, no matter how gorgeous you are.”

She looked at the ground and I had the distinct feeling that she wasnotsupposed to say that.

I hoped she’d saymorelike that.

“I understand. I do have one condition, though.”

“And what’s that?”

“I want you to write one song that tellsexactlyhow you feel about Blaze. You don’t ever have to release it, but write one. And then I want to see it.”

“I can make that work,” she said. “We could get started now if you wanted to. I have a lot of scattered lyrics about him.”

“Yeah, let’s start there.”

She smiled but then paused.

“Would you kill me if I asked you to sign an NDA?”

“Not at all. I hear they’re standard.”

“They just feel weird to ask about, but I need to cover myself so . . . What’s your email?”

She looked sheepish, but this was the least of my worries. I wouldn’t tell anyone, just like I never told anyone anything.

Once I signed the digital copy, I turned and took the extra seat shoved into the corner of my office. I sat across from her, looking at what she had.

And we got to work.

Chapter Four

Lila

It was nearly six a.m. and I was dozing off. We’d been at it for hours. All-nighters were easier when I was younger, but now, I was dragging, even though I still had all of my inspiration.

“Lila?” Barry asked. “Are you okay?”

“How do you have any energy? We wrote lyrics for”—I counted the pages in front of us—“four songs. Inonenight.”

I didn’t know if all of them would be usable. The song about Blaze definitely wasn’t, but it was a start, which I hadn’t managed alone.

“It’s interesting,” he said. “But you need rest.”

He also owned a bar and probably did this all the time. I was perpetually exhausted from all of my years of touring. I cursed the energy that others my age seemed to have.

“I know.” I rubbed my hand over my face, hoping it would miraculously wake me. My hand, adorned with mascara, reminded me of exactly who I was. “I should go shower.”

And be Rose for a bit.

“I think your bodyguard is asleep on a chair out there.”

At the mention of Juno, I shot up. “Shit. I owe her a bonus for staying this late.” And for the fact that I was about to sneak out around her. Ineededa break.

“I’ll remind you next time.”

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