Page 48 of Movers and Shakers

I did, but my tone sounded wrong. I tried to lower the notes to match, but I couldn’t quite get there.

“While that would work,” I said slowly, “I need a lower voice.”

“Hm,” he said, and it hit me thathisvoice was perfect for this.

“Barry, can you sing this part?”

“I don’t think I should—‍”

“It would get the song down. You’d sound good.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve heard many people say you’re good at singing, and I trust them.”

His mouth twisted and I waited for his answer with bated breath.

“Fine,” he said. “I’ll record it.”

He stepped into the studio and I knew I should have left him to it, but I couldn’t bear to walk out.

“Is this how duets usually go?” he asked.

“N-not really, but do you mind if I—‍”

“I never mind if you stay,” he said lowly. “But you’ll have to tell me if I sound terrible.”

I nodded, eyes on him as he began singing. His low, rough voice was far better up close and my skin erupted in gooseflesh. How was this man not famous? How was he not onstage every single night on tour like I’d been?

“How did that sound?” he asked as he finished.

It took me a second to answer him. “Great. You’re . . . incredible in person.”

“I’m not trained or anything, so I’m sure—‍”

“That’s exactly what I like,” I said. He opened his mouth to argue, but I wouldn’t hear it. “In fact, I like it so much that we should sing the chorus together.”

“Are you sure?”

“Very.”

We started again, and this time, I joined in.

Our voices meshed perfectly.

I’d never sung with anyone. When I had features on albums, I would have them record their studio separately and maybe meet up with them to work on the ending sound.

Butthiswas different.

It felt more intimate than sex ever could. It felt like knowing someone so close.

“It’s perfect,” I said when we were done. “It’s exactly what we need for the album’s last song. I don’t know if Mia will like that I brought someone in, but . . .‍”

“It’s fine,” he said. “You do whatever you need to with it.”

“She’ll have to deal. It’s a great song and a perfect closer.”

“What’s going to happen now that the whole album is done? Are you going back to LA?”

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