AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Luke had no discernible struggles playing in front of her. Maybe it’s because they spent all last evening—they arrived yesterday—chatting about music and getting to know each other.
Maybe part of his ease is due to the fact that when Laila first came in this morning, she sat down and began playing before Luke even had a chance to grab his guitar. She was completely unselfconscious when she missed a few chords or stumbled over words, laughing at herself and belting out silly children’s tunes like “Baby Beluga” and “The Hokey Pokey” to warm up her vocal cords. Laila is a whirlwind of sunny smiles and bright, flowy clothing.
I’m happy he’s getting this experience. I’m happy his anxiety is fading, but some part of me is almost . . . proprietary.
“I like it,” Laila says when Luke finishes the first verse. “What if the male vocals are all about falling and—” she strums a few intro chords, already able to play the song after watching him play it once, “—the female lyrics can be about not falling. Like being stable and grounded.”
She keeps playing the song, then she sings.
Keep my feet on solid ground
You’ve got your head all in the clouds
I won't let anything knock me down
Even when the darkness comes around
I'll stand tall, with my feet on solid ground.
She grins at him and then shrugs. “You know, that kind of thing.”
Luke’s responding smile is blinding. “Wow. That was incredible. Was that an A chord?”
They bend toward each other, the movement damn near synchronized. It’s been like this all morning. They are in the zone, completely immersed like no one else is here.
Damon taps on the keys of his laptop. “I’ll email the finalized agreement to you now.”
“Thanks.”
Damon is the epitome of indie sleaze, pulling together ’90s grunge flannel with a fur coat, skinny scarf, and jeans, somehow making it appear effortless. “Mastering the final audio might take two weeks, or a smidge longer since I’ll be working with Laila to get some recording done on her next album—we hope.” He tosses Ursula a pointed look.
Ursula leans against the counter next to me, casual in jeans and a plain long-sleeve T, sporting a no-nonsense boyish hairstyle. She’s gotta be in her thirties, only a few years older than me, at most. “She’s been in a funk. But check her out now.”
As one, we examine the couple in the living room, who are still completely focused on each other.
Damon grins. “I don’t think I’ve seen her this engrossed in months. We may get more than a couple of tracks out of them if they keep at it like this. But for now, let’s plan on two duets, one for each of their albums.”
I nod. “Understood.” We might get pushed behind our schedule a couple of weeks, but it’s okay. I will take anything I can get at this point. Damon is giving us fantastic rates, considering his accolades, he could easily charge thousands of dollars.
“I hope they keep it up,” Ursula murmurs. “Usually once she gets in the zone there is no slowing her down, let alone stopping her.”
Damon nods his agreement. “I set everything up this morning, so we’re ready to get started on the songs Luke has ready. Whenever Laila needs a break, we can steal him away. He’s got a great sound, and if you have enough songs polished and ready, we may be able to get them all done before Thanksgiving.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“If we need to come back for a couple of days after the holiday to finish things up, that will work with her schedule,” Ursula confirms.
Boisterous laughter in the living room catches my attention.
Laila’s head is thrown back in mirth, and Luke’s face is practically glowing with whatever hilarity is passing between them.
Damon and Ursula exchange a look.
“Luke and Laila,” she says.
“They’re perfect,” Damon murmurs.
“Perfect for what?” I ask, even though I know exactly where they are going.
