“For what?”
“For letting the work speak first.”
She slid her palm into his.The contact sat calmly and completely.“You did that.I just held the camera and pointed at the right photo.”
He tugged her closer and lowered his mouth to hers.No hurry.No apology.Just the kind of kiss that said the day had been heavy, and they were still here.
When they pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers.“I’m so happy you’re here.”
“I am too.”She smiled, small and sure.
He laughed, the good kind that lived low.He set a hand on her back and guided her toward the hallway.“You were right.Let's go relax.”
They left the phones where they sat.In the living room entryway, a guitar leaned against the couch, because one always did.He picked it up and played the verse from earlier, softer now, stripped to what mattered.
She curled her feet beneath her and listened like the song was a promise she chose to believe one word at a time.
He kept playing until the house knew her name.
ChapterThirty-Four
Her laptop chimed before she reached the barn.The air was warm already this morning, but it felt fresh and alive.She was ready for the day.
She opened her laptop on the bar and read the subject line twice.
RE: Notice.Proposal to Discuss Parameters.
Tony slid onto the next stool, coffee in each hand.“That from Summit?”
She nodded and tapped to open the message.“Their counsel wants to ‘de-escalate’ and schedule a call in the next hour.”She skimmed.“They’ll pause promotional assets that mention the band by name.The album files won't be pulled.A limited joint statement is wanted to stabilize investor chatter."
“Leeway,” Tony said.“But not enough.”
“Not enough.”She hit reply and typed,We’re available at ten.Send a link.Then she forwarded the thread to Grant and added,Listening only.I’ll lead.
Tony lifted his mug.“You want the guys in on this?”
“Not yet.We keep the noise low like we promised.”She looked toward the studio door.“Let them work.”
At exactly ten, a conference bridge tone clipped through her earbuds.Tony put his in and opened his notebook.
“Thank you for joining,” Summit’s counsel said.Cool, practiced.“Our goal is a standstill.We’re prepared to refrain from further public comment if you’ll do the same.”
Carlene glanced at Tony.“We haven’t commented today.We won’t, as long as you correct two statements from yesterday.”
A pause.“Which statements?”
“The suggestion of contractual violation and the implication of improper influence.”She kept her voice even.“You don’t have proof of either.”
“We have concerns.”
“You have a narrative,” she said.“Different thing.You can retract without eating glass.Use neutral language:We’re reviewing the timeline with the band.We regret any confusion.”
Counsel cleared her throat.“We can soften the phrasing.”Papers rustled.“In return, you’ll commit to a joint statement that neither party will disparage the other and that both are exploring options for release.”
“Exploring options, fine,” Carlene said.“No release date, no cover art, and no implication of a tour.”
“We need the tour language for our retail partners.”The lawyer’s voice tightened.“Soft holds.It signals activity.”
