Page 30 of Movers and Shakers

“Guys—‍”

“The woman you thought,” Liam said, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

“You two are the worst,” I grumbled. “I need to go approve the guest list for next week.”

“Already done,” Audrey said, crossing her arms. “AndLiam finished the schedule for the bouncers for the next few days.”

“That’s right,” he added. “We took care of it all, so now you have no excuse to get away.”

My heart skipped a beat. I’d had employees before, but never like these two. They never shied away from helping and jumped at the chance to do the menial things I never wanted to do.

Thisis what a family business should have looked like. Not that Dad ever would have known that.

“Thank you, guys, for the extra help.” I wasn’t sure what to say, so I held up my phone. “So, I guess neither of you would be mad if I went to talk to who texted me.”

“Come on. So, not the woman you rescued?”

“I seriously can’t say.”

“And no hints?”

“It’s confidential,” I said. “But I’m helping a friend with a music thing.”

Liam gasped and jumped. Audrey’s jaw dropped.

“A music thing?” Liam asked. “Yes!”

“We always knew you had a knack for it,” Audrey said. “Even if you only listen to pop.”

“It’s not a huge deal. I’m just helping.”

“Just helping? Barry, you’re incredible onstage,” Liam said. “You should have been a rock star.”

“I’m a bar owner, and I’m happy. This is just something I’m doingonce.”

“Sure, boss.” Audrey let her arms drop to her sides. “You’ll do it just once.”

“I will,” I said firmly. “Now, am I good to go?”

“You better tell me what album it is so I can buy it!” Liam exclaimed.

I shook my head and went up to my apartment, but my mind hung on Liam’s words.

You should have been a rock star.

I would have loved that—if only things had turned out differently.

Chapter Five

Lila

“You got lucky,” Juno said. She handed me her phone. “The cameras were there for some guy named Knox Price. Not you.”

I looked at the article. “That was the couple in front of me.” I let out a breath of air. “Thank God.”

“Your disguise is good. Your hair’s in the photo’s background, but you’re so hunched over that I couldn’t even tell who you were.”

“I’ve been doing this for years,” I said. “It’s like second nature.”

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