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“We’ll need to hash out some of the logistics,” I say to Finley, while Luke is keying the number into his phone. “Where can they stay?”
She taps her chin. “The cabin we were going to give Jerry, right near Luke’s, has two bedrooms. Maybe Laila and Ursula can stay there, and we can find another cabin for Damon.”
“We’ll talk to them and I’ll let you know. Thanks, Finley.”
I glance up. Taylor is watching me with guarded eyes.
I open my mouth to tell her thank you, gearing up to push the words out of my mouth and convince her of their sincerity, and I truly am grateful, but Luke speaks before I can.
“Thank you for doing this. Really.”
“Yes, thank you.” My words are a lame echo of Luke’s heartfelt sentiments.
Taylor’s brow lifts in question, her lips pursing.
Dammit. I’m trying to be genuine.
“I mean it.” The words launch themselves out of my mouth, the volume overly loud.
“We get it,” Jake leans forward, yelling toward me.
“You’re not funny,” I tell him.
“I’m kind of funny, right, Luke?”
Luke considers this. “Kind of funny . . . looking!”
“Oh, ho, ho! That was literally the lamest comeback I’ve ever heard. Wanna go throw some axes?”
“Yeah. Just for a minute.”
They saunter off in the direction of the cluster of trees nearby.
Once they’re out of earshot, Taylor sighs. “Listen, I’ll help however I can, but I’m not doing this for you, I’m doing it for Luke.” She spins on her heel and stalks after Luke and Jake.
“Isn’t this exciting though? We’re going to have real celebrities here.” Finley grabs my arm, shaking it as she jumps up and down.
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Don’t worry. It will all work out.”
I really hope she’s right.
ChapterSixteen
Mindy
Four days later, I’m in the kitchen of Luke’s cabin with Ursula and Damon, reviewing the contract for the production elements. We hash out some of the details while Luke and Laila are in the living room working on songs together.
“Play me the one you were talking about last night, the one you said could be a duet.” Laila’s smoky voice is distinctive, her presence impossible to ignore. She’s friendly, charismatic, and exudes a sense of confidence that’s nearly palpable despite the fact that she can’t be a day over twenty-two.
“I only have some of the lyrics ready.”
“That’s fine. Let’s hear it.”
They’re sitting on opposite sides of the couch facing each other, holding guitars in their laps.
They’ve spent the morning warming up, jamming to get a feel for the other’s style.
