"Yeah. You have these lyrics. Do you know what each songsoundslike?"
"Sometimes. Most of the time it's just the words though. They just come to me. I sleep with a notepad nearby because some of my best stuff comes when I'm halfasleep."
"The muse is funny when shestrikes."
"Other times I get a melody in my head and I build on that. Most of the songs on my album werelikethat."
"Then let’s choose some deeper songs. Show them you've got a lot of depth and emotion. Do you have anyfavorites?"
"I really can't choose a favorite. I do like some of the word play in "At Your Feet." What do youthink?"
"Yeah, that's a good one. I also like "Tainted" and "Wounded Love." I noticed you wrote thatyesterday."
Lucky groaned. Until he mentioned "Wounded Love," she had forgotten about his whole marriage situation. She folded her arms over her chest and thought about returning to her seat, but she needed to get thesongsdone.
"Fine. Explain to me how you forgot to mention you were married," she saidangrily.
"The entire Donna thing was a mistake. We separated six months after getting married. I kept trying to make it work, but she wasn't interested. Ends up she was only after mymoney."
"That's how you ended up in the contract withRichard?"
"Richard and I go way back. He discovered me when he was putting Silverlight together. He warned me about his niece, but I didn't listen. Luckily, Cade pushed me to get a prenup." Jude shook his headsheepishly.
"Do youloveher?"
"No, but at the time I thought I did," he said as he looked down. "I never thought she was the one. I just wanted to settle down and plant some roots somewhere. I think I was still getting oversomeoneelse."
"Who?" Luckyasked.
"It's not important. Five years ago it was, but I'm a different person now and she…well, things would've never worked outanyway."
Lucky took in everything he said. Part of her wanted to not believe him, but deep down she knew he was telling the truth. It was in the past and didn't matter anymore. She could accept that and move on. She had more important things to do now anyway, like write some newsongs.
* * *
After two daysof rehearsals in LA, Lucky added the three new songs to the set list. With Kat gone, the band meshed better than before and they hoped to do an extended jam between two of the newsongs.
Dressed in a crimson maxi dress, her hair in loose waves, Lucky stood by the stage curtain looking out at the open space with people making their way to their seats. Through her shoes, she felt the tap of Jude's boots hitting against the floorboards as he walkedtowardsher.
"You okay? You look a bit pale,"Judesaid.
"Look at the size of this place. Look at all those people outthere."
"Yup, all here toseeyou."
"Talk about pressure. What if Imessup?"
"You'll be fine. It's no different than playing to a smallercrowd."
"It's completely different," Lucky said. "Look how many people are here already. We don't even go on for another hour. What if they don't like how I sound? Or I mess up? Everyone will realize I'm just afraud."
"Listen to me, Olivia Saldano," he said as he spun Lucky around to face him, keeping his hands on her upper arms and locking his eyes to hers. "You have a gift. You're talented and beautiful, you're not a fraud. You're the real deal and you can do this. Just get out ofyourhead."
"You're right. I can do this. This is what I always wanted, always dreamedabout."
"And you're not alone out there. You know I'll be out there with you. Just turn around and I'll be right there keeping an eyeonyou."
Richard told her how well everything was going once the photo went viral, but she found it hard to believe. After all, it was just a stupid photo of her first kiss. She still felt her stomach drop whenever she thought about it being out there, and she knew it was responsible for her pre-showjitters.
