Laura breathed out a laugh. “I guess we’ve worked together for too long.”
“Well, you know I’m never going to just walk away from ‘Porchlight.’”
“I do,” Laura agreed, mildly. “Which is why I thought I should lean into how ridiculous that would feel to you, toprevent you from spiraling down a rabbit hole. You don’t need a rabbit hole right now; you need a solution.”
Juliet’s stomach revolted, even as she knew Laura was right. Because, “The only ‘solution’ is going to Darcy and convincing her to work with me.”
“Unfortunately, yes, that seems to be true.”
Unfortunately, indeed.
Juliet knew this, already. She’d known this would be her predicament as soon as Thomas said that she couldn’t record “Porchlight” solo.
Either she had to walk away from contributing to this album for her favorite, most revered musician or she had to find a way to make it work with Darcy. There was no alternative.
She didn’t want to walk away from this.
And she definitely didn’t want to let Darcy win. If Juliet backed off now, Darcy would have had the final say. The song would be called off because Darcy had decided to walk out.
“If I may…” Laura started, trailing off as she arched an expectant look at Juliet.
She sighed, acquiescing. “If you can’t, no one can.”
“I get it. You two went into working together withhugelydifferent ideas. And you’ve spent the last few months taking swipes at one another.” Laura pursed her lips, clearly debating how she should phrase whatever was coming next. “Maybe this can be an opportunity for you. Maybe you can take advantage of Darcy.”
That perked Juliet’s ears right up. “Now, you’re speaking my language. In what ways are you thinking?”
“In that maybe you will enjoy working with someone who cares more about music than anything else? Someone who, in that way, is exactly likeyou.” Laura aimed a serious, intent stare at her, one that Juliet felt pierce through any armor she could possibly try to summon. “Put the Darcy of it all aside. Couldn’tit be at least a little refreshing to work with someone whohasn’tbeen chewed up and spit out by the industry, yet? Someone who doesn’t seem to see every interaction as transactional?”
Juliet felt Laura’s words land heavily inside of her, unexpectedly taken aback.
She didn’t know why, exactly, Laura’s quiet, calm, and factual assessment hit so hard inside of her. She wasn’t saying anything truly groundbreaking. Juliet was well aware that the majority of her interactions with people were, indeed, transactional. Even if they didn’t have a negative connotation; it was just the way the world worked. Especially the entertainment industry part of the world.
Perhaps it was because Laura was forcing her to see that part of why she disliked Darcy was the flip side of the naiveté coin. Yes, her naïve thoughts were annoying, if they were actually legitimate. But…
If she had to be honest with herself, she had to admit that she was a little envious of that. Maybe more than a little. She was deeply jealous that Darcy got to experience this level of success without being tarnished by the ugly parts of it.
Not yet, anyway.
Shaking her head, Juliet swallowed heavily, poking her bottom lip out in a frown. “I was hoping for one of your more inspired ideas, admittedly.”
Her tone was as glib as she could make it.
“I’ll take a tire iron to her windshield for walking out of the studio on you, how’s that for inspired?” Laura suggested.
A laugh escaped Juliet as she resumed her pacing. A little slower this time, a little more thoughtful.
“All right,” she murmured, rolling her shoulders back. Already mentally preparing herself. “I’m going to find out where Darcy’s staying, I suppose.” That was step one.
“She’s here,” Laura informed her, leaning back against the couch. “Room 2030.”
If she didn’t already pay Laura so handsomely, she’d be getting another raise right now.
Juliet had been declared one of the most charming women in the music industry byChartlinemultiple times, and she supposed it was time she put that skill to use. Even if it galled her to do so forDarcy.
Chapter Nine
Darcy leanedagainst the railing on the balcony from her hotel room, looking out at downtown Nashville.
