Page 47 of Movers and Shakers

The album wassoclose. I’d called Barry to the studio after becoming Lila again, but we were both tired after working for many hours together.

I needed another song. I’d already recorded the ones that we enjoyed, the ones we could easily change. I’d invited Barry to thestudio a few times because his input was more helpful than he knew, but this time, both of us were stumped.

We were trying to make a song work that wasn’t all there. Even I could admit that this one wasn’t as good compared to some of the other songs we’d written.

“I wish we had another likeoursong.”

“Wecouldjust use that one.”

I twirled my hair between my fingers. The song was perfect as is, and changing it would gut me.

But it wouldfit.

“Are you sure? I mean, it’sours.And this album is about . . .‍” I trailed off, unable to say it.

“Yes, but this song is incredible. And I’ll know that you’ll think of me whenever you sing it.”

He was exactly right. I would always think of him first.

“It’s just . . . it’sours.”

“And it always will be. I’ll know it.”

I bit my lip. I had refused to think of this song as ever being released, but now that he was giving me permission, I knew it would fit perfectly. “Okay, we can add it.”

“Just let me hear it first. Those are my only terms.”

“How about you get to hear me record it?”

“That’s even better.”

I pulled out my notebook and flipped to the page. I’d doodled on it, adding rough sketches of hearts as I went through the lyrics in my head.

“You’ve come back to it, huh?”

My cheeks burned. “Shut up.”

He laughed but said nothing else. Little did he know, just the sound of that chuckle sent my heart into overdrive.

God, I wanted this.

I wantedhim.

Only him.

I wouldn’t do it, though. Even if Blaze had cheated, I refused to stoop to his level.

Barry exited the recording booth, as per usual for when I was about to sing. I took a measured breath and put my notebook on the stand.

I knew I loved it the second I started recording.

Up until the second verse.

“It doesn’t sound right,” I muttered, pulling off my headphones.

I was tempted to slump over, but Juno had given me a long lecture about not letting Rose slip in, so I clenched my teeth and looked at my feet.

“Try it in a different key,” Barry urged through the mic, his low voice patient.

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