Page 61 of Hope & Harmony

“All right. What do you suggest?”

“A collaboration, Blaire. A collaboration between you and Gunnar Healy.”

I have to stop myself from spitting out the mouthful of water I just drank. I swallow, but it goes down my throat with a gulp of air. I stifle a burp before speaking.

“Gunnar Healy can’t stand me,” I say.

Sarah smiles. “I’d beg to differ. I witnessed your exchange after you left the stage.”

I let out a soft huff. “You mean us tossing insults at each other? That’s the only kind of exchange we’ve ever had.”

Sarah narrows her eyes. “That was playful banter, not insults. The kind that is exchanged between two people with a heat between them. That’s what you two have. And it’s not something you’re probably even aware of. But the two of you onstage together?” She fans herself with her hand. “That would be dynamite.”

The thought intrigues me—turns me on, to be honest—but I tamp down any excitement. “I wouldn’t hold your breath.”

“Gunnar is the last performer tonight,” Sarah says. “After that, Jamie brings out the karaoke machine.”

I’m well aware that open mic night turns into karaoke night, but I’m usually gone by then. Listening to amateurs hack out show tunes and top-ten hits is kind of a professional vocalist’s version of hell.

“I know. I don’t stay for karaoke.”

“Stay tonight,” she says.

“Why?”

“Do you know the song ‘Mellow’?”

“LaLa Queen? Yeah, of course. Who doesn’t?”

“It’s a beautiful song, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yeah. But what does that have to do with?—”

She holds up a hand to stop me. “You and Gunnar are going to open up karaoke tonight. With ‘Mellow’.”

CHAPTER 3

GUNNAR

“Not only no, but hell no,” I say to Sarah. “I’m a rocker. Not a country or pop singer.”

Sarah laughs. “Man, Gunnar, you and Blaire Cavileri are cut from the same cloth.”

“I hardly think so.”

She smirks. “She’s not a rock and roll fan, and you’re not a classical music fan. But damn… Your voice and hers… The two of you could create heaven together.”

“You’re not going to turn me into something I’m not, Sarah.”

“Did I say anything like that? I’m suggesting a collaboration of music that works for both of you. You bring your rocker charisma and she’ll bring her operatic resonance and powerful stage presence. You’re going to bring out the best in each other. I’m sure of it. We could even cut an album.”

“Singing what? Sure, all of her classical tunes are in the public domain, but I sing mostly covers. You’d have your work cut out for you in copyright law hell.”

She shakes her head. “Don’t you worry about that. I’ve got a hungry songwriter who has written some amazing duets. Do you know how long I’ve been searching for the right project for you, Gunnar?”

“I know, and I appreciate it, but I just assumed when you found it, it would be rock and roll.”

“Do you really want to be the next big rock and roll star?”

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