Page 97 of Movers and Shakers

“And people still love the single?”

“It’s charting and radios are playing it everywhere. Critics love it.”

I took an uneasy breath. “Okay. Good. I was worried people would be heartbroken that Blaze and I split.”

“Don’t worry about that,” she said. “Focus on the music. That’s what matters and this is easily one of your best that I’ve seen.”

“I can’t thank you enough.”

“It’s never a problem,” Malia said. “I’ll let you get back to your break. Stay off social media and enjoy it.”

I turned off the camera, head resting against the wooden table I sat at. After a few breaths to collect myself, I slowly pulled off the wig and cap, shaking out my hair.

“You okay?” Juno asked.

“Yeah, I was just talking to Malia about the single. She says it’s doing good and that people aren’t that torn up about it.”

“Oh, good.” Juno’s voice shook on the last word.

“What?”

“Nothing,” she said. “Nothing that matters anyway. You’ve gotta be tired from all of these meetings. I made you tea.”

“Thank you,” I replied. “For everything, even when I’m Rose. I never thought I’d tell anyone but my parents, but I’m glad you know.”

She smiled and sat next to me. “Want to do something to get your mind off of it?”

“Anything.”

“I found a puzzle in one of the closets,” she said, pulling it out. “It’s kind of nerdy, but it could be fun.”

“That sounds so nice. I need to do something other than think about work.”

Or my mistakes.

She laid it out on the coffee table in the living room where we worked on it together in the quiet of anonymity, playing the day away.

Lila’s phone was in the depths of her purse, untouched, and for once, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. I instead kept Rose’s phone, which proved to be fruitful when Barry texted a few hours later.

Barry: Sorry I haven’t gotten the chance to reach out in a bit.

Rose: You’re busy, I understand.

Barry: I’m going to West Tennessee to meet my dad in person. Want to join?

Rose: I’d love nothing more.

Barry

I picked up Rose in a trendy neighborhood in Nashville. It was one of those older houses that was renovated for an Airbnb. I knew she was only traveling for work, but I was happy to see she was in a safe neighborhood at the very least.

As I pulled to the curb, I thought about walking up and knocking, but the door opened and she came tumbling out of it. I noticed her first, especially the way her red hair shimmered in the sunshine, but then I also saw a prominent figure that gave me pause.

It looked oddly familiar.

“Do you have someone traveling with you?” I asked as she got into the car.

“Oh, yeah. A coworker of mine. She’s nice.”

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