Lib Novel Page 8
“So, Mia,” Harper began, “what masterpiece are you about to regale us with?”
Mia gave her partner a mischievous look. “Oh, just a little something I’ve—sorry—we’vebeen tinkering with. I always do that, don’t I?”
“It’s your uncontrollable ego.”
Deborah leaned forward, genuinely curious despite her inner turmoil. “I’m looking forward to this, Mia. You’ve always had that incredible creative spark!”
“Here’s hoping you like it. I’ve broken away from my usual stuff with this one.”
Mia pressed play on the deck, filling the studio with the rich melody of her latest number. Deborah felt her eyes closing as the hauntingly beautiful music swept her away.
The final chord faded into silence, and Deborah opened her eyes, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Mia and Harper exchanged excited glances, awaiting her reaction.
“That was… out of this world, Mia,” Deborah uttered. “You’ve broken the mold with that one.”
Mia beamed with pride, her eyes tearing up. “Thank you so much, Deborah. You’ve no idea what that means to me.”
Harper couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. “Itwas stunning, darling. I know this is going to break the charts. I can feel it in my bones.”
Mia replied with a tinge of modesty in her tone. “Oh, don’t say that. You’ll jinx it! I’m just glad Debs likes it.”
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of indie-pop music, meaningful conversation, and several bottles of wine, the three women thriving in each other’s company.
As the wall clock struck eleven, Mia looked down at her watch with a start. “I can’t believe the time already! I hate to break up the party, girls! I really do! But I’ve got an early start tomorrow.”
“But it’s Sunday!” cried Harper.
“Sunday? Makes no difference in my world. This is the first day off I’ve had in six months. Apart from the wedding weekend. And I’m sure glad I spent it with you two.”
Harper groaned playfully. “Such a spoilsport, but we’ll let you off the hook this time. Isn’t that right, Mia?”
Deborah stood up from the sofa and felt an ache in her knee. “Ouch! I’ve been sitting too long. Don’t ever get old, girls. Thank you both for everything tonight.”
Mia enveloped her in a hug, her warmthsoothing Deborah’s troubled soul. “Anytime, Deborah. You know where to find me.”
Harper joined in, wrapping them both in a tight embrace. “Take care of yourself, Deb. Promise? You seem tired.”
“I will… and I am!” Deborah whimpered.
As Mia and Harper went to clear the wine glasses from the coffee table, Deborah continued to linger in the studio, her feet unable to find the way to the exit. Her mind was racing with thoughts of Holly. She knew she’d been foolish not to mention her situation to her friends. Why did she think she could avoid confronting her feelings forever? She had to face facts. She hadn’t seen it coming, but Holly had stirred something within her—a longing she couldn’t shake off.
The studio walls seemed to close in around her. She felt suffocated. Should she pursue this burgeoning attraction, risking everything she held dear? This was her best friend’s child! Or should she bury these feelings and pretend they’d never existed?
In her indecision, Deborah didn’t notice the studio door creak open. A low, gruff voice startled her out of her reverie.
“Yo, peeps. What’s happening? Partying without me?”
Deborah whirled around to see Cameron standing in the doorway.
“Cameron,” she cried, her voice betraying her surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Cameron smiled. “This is one of my surprise visits. I don’t like it when Mia and Harper have all the fun, okay? I’m sorry to drop in unannounced.”
“It’s fine with me,” Deborah replied, forcing a smile. “It’s not my place! I was just on my way out. It’s good to see you, though, Cam. I’ll grab a phone call with you this week?”
Cameron’s playful demeanor gave way to concern. “Deb? You’re talking to me like I was one of your executive producers. Are you alright? You seem… off.”
Deborah’s facade faltered, her resolve crumbling under Cameron’s discerning gaze. “I… I met someone,” she admitted, her voice barely audible.