Page 104 of A Country Kind Of Love

She wants to showcase the same kind of connection that Shawn Mendes and Camilla Cabello had at the MTV VMAs in 2019. That performance of “Señorita” still makes Peyton weak at the knees. It was like the world didn’t exist when the two of them sang together, and that’s how she felt on the stage at the Bluebird with Cleo. It’s the power of a song, the power of a voice, the power oflove. She wants to be a source of inspiration for other women who love women and aren’t ashamedto admit it.

Is it ingenious to believe that Cleo could be the Bradley Cooper to her Lady Gaga? Maybe they could move the world in the same way they did at the Oscars, but they could appeal to a different audience. Or the same audience but with new eyes. She dreams of diverse content creators and audiences and hopes she and Cleo can contribute tothat dream.

“Peyton,” Shonda says. She realises she’s been daydreaming and staring at the contract for longer than necessary.

“Yes?”

“Do you find it to be satisfactory?”Shonda asks.

Peyton looks at Cleo, who nods.

“Yes. Thank you.” There’s more small print and clauses than she will ever understand. There’s a reason people study for seven years to understand legal jargon.

“Do you have any questions?”Shonda asks.

Cleo shakes her head. Peyton has one.

“Erm... The contract addresses us both, but it references Cleo as more of a songwriter and an occasional performer on the album; it isn’t worded as though we would be a duo.”

Shonda smirks. “Correct. The participation on the album is completely up to you, the producer, and the creative process. I don’t know you well enough yet, but I trust you will guide it in the rightdirection.”

Peyton has no idea what that means, but Cleo doesn’t seem bothered byany wording.

“Okay. I would like to clarifyone thing.”

Shonda folds her arms across her chest; she waits in anticipation. She doesn’t blink. Her smirk fades to a straight line. Peyton gulps. Now she’s nervous.

“Go ahead.”

“I... well... I don’t want to do this without Cleo.”

Shonda stands confused.

“Ever.” Peyton graspsCleo’s hand.

“Ever?” Shonda humours her. “That’s a long time, Miss Harris.”

“I’m aware.”

“You’re saying, without Cleo thereis no you?”

“Yes... yes... that’s what I’m saying.” She has no idea where her newfound confidence has sparked from, but it feels rightin her gut.

Shonda walks over to the desk where the contracts lie and removes one. She scans the document. She pouts once or twice; there’s an audiblehmmin there as well. Peyton doesn’t know what she’s thinking. The room is eerily silent. Shonda tears the contract to pieces. Peyton and Cleo watch them drop to the binone by one.

Oh.

Was she too cocky? Too confident? Too demanding? Has she screwed the whole thing up for everyone? Why couldn’t she just keep her big mouth—

“This contract will need to be rewritten.” Shonda has her assistant set up a meeting with legal. “I will make sure the new one accredits both of you equally, and outlines that you will be working on thewholealbum together.” She emphasises whole, as though the project is way out oftheir depth.

“Thank you,”Peyton says.

“Call back tomorrow at 10 a.m. I will have a new contract ready to sign. Don’t let there be another burst pipe.” She’s mentioned it too many times; she doesn’t believe them, but they’ve made their bed.

“We will be on time. I swear,” Cleo adds.

They make their way to the exit. Peyton feels a hand grasp her arm. She halts; it’s Shonda. Cleo and Jesse keep walking.