“Of course I’m in,” she answered without a second-thought. Then she heard the brakes screech in her head, aiming a considering look at Juliet. “Areyoureally in?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? Of course. Do you know the kind of acclaim this film is going to get?”
“Well, because it meanstrulycollaborating. Together. From start to finish,” she punctuated. “If I think back, you weren’t too fond about that when you talked about it. In fact, you didn’t think it was very impressive, writing and performing something as a team.”
“Darcy.”
“Juliet.”
Juliet inhaled deeply through her nose, some of her excitement dimming. Which hadn’t been Darcy’s intention, truly it hadn’t. But, she supposed, of all the comments Juliet had made about her, that one stuck in her mind.
Maybe because it was the first thing Juliet had ever said about her. Maybe because it had been before everything had escalated; Darcy very much understood that once that train had been going, they’d beengoing. But… that one had to have some truth behind it, didn’t it?
Juliet looked down, quiet for several moments.
Darcy stared, carefully. Perhaps Juliet would stand by what she’d said; that would be… not the most unexpected thing.
“I was jealous when I said that. When I… implied… that you were less-than because you were in a group.” She held up her finger. “I mean, Idothink there’s something to be said that when I create a song, I’m doing it alone and bearing all of that weight myself. But…” Juliet’s shoulders sagged slightly, as she exhaled. “I also choose to work alone, because in some ways it’s a lot easier.”
Her voice was quiet, a little contrite. Strained in that way that Darcy knew was because it was difficult for Juliet to talk openly and honestly about things, sometimes.
“And I hope, especially after ‘Porchlight’ that you know that I don’t think you’re a lesser songwriter than I am. Because I don’t.” The raw honesty in Juliet’s gaze dug right into Darcy. “Your work… it –youdeserve the acclaim you’ve gotten this year.”
Right into a place near her heart that she hadn’t realized she’dneeded. Not until this moment. She’d been able to let go of just about everything else, but… but this, her music, meant the world to her. To hear from Juliet, whose opinion of her – at this point – meant a lot. Both personally and professionally.
She let out a tremulous breath. “Thank you.”
“It’s just the truth. I probably should have told you sooner than this.” Juliet’s expression, the way she lifted her eyebrows and pursed her lips into something halfway between a smile and a grimace, was very self-aware. “Anyway.”
Darcy leaned back against her headboard, grinning like an idiot as Juliet clawed back her serious-voice. “Anyway,” she intoned, mimicking her.
Juliet ignored her. “I’m sure your manager will tell you everything when you talk to him, but they’re going to need a finished product by the beginning of February, so we have just about a month. I know it’s not great timing, with the holidays right now, and your album release in a couple of weeks. Then you’ll be on tour right at the beginning of February, the day after the Grammy’s,” Juliet recited from memory. Even though it was all public information, she hadn’t talked about her tour to Juliet, and she couldn’t help but feel so utterly pleased that Juliet knew.
“That is all correct.”
Juliet nodded; she knew without a doubt that she was right. Which wassoattractive. Darcy did very much like it when Juliet shifted into this kind of headspace.
“I’m thinking we could do it at my house. Just lock in on it for four or five days? If you want to figure out your promo schedule after the release but before the tour, we’ll finagle something.”
Darcy would absolutely make it work. Holing up at Juliet’s house for days on end, working on a song together… yes. Very much yes.
Only, “Shouldn’t we be going to, I don’t know, a studio?” She gently teased.
Juliet snapped out of her focused, thoughtful bubble, wrinkling her nose at Darcy. “Why? Unless you really want to.”
“… to have professional recording? I assume Nik Kosta will kind of expect it.”
Juliet waved her hand. “I have a recording studio at my house.”
“Youdo?” The words fell out of her mouth, as she sat right up.
“Yes, in the basement. Well, ‘basement.’ It’s the ground floor, but has a walkout to the backyard. When you turn to the right next to the living room, those stairs that go down? It’s right there,” Juliet said, as if Darcy’s response was silly.
“Ummm, you haven’t exactly given me a tour,” she pointed out, incredulous laughter dripping from her lips.
Darcy had been to Juliet’s house… she didn’t even know, maybe a dozen times? More? She knew the living room and kitchen, as those were right at the entrance. And she knew up on the second floor which of the doors belonged to Juliet’s bedroom.
“Do youwantone?” Juliet asked, seeming just as incredulous.
