Page 91 of A Country Kind Of Love

“Why would she do that for me?”Peyton asks.

“You underestimate my powers of persuasion... And there is the lesser-known fact that she’s 1000% in love with you.”

“She’s what?.” Peyton gulps. “Did she say that?”

“Not exactly, but I’d say it’s pretty darn obvious.”

“If she was in love with me, she would’ve responded to my text messages,” Peyton says triumphantly, as though being right in this moment is something to be proud of. It’s not.

“I think you underestimate how stubborn we are as humans.” Jesse gestures for her to take a seat. “Listen, Cleo came here tonight between gigs, with seconds to spare, to get on that stage withyou. I made a request, no bribe, no lucrative side deal, no exchange of musical instruments, and no guilt trip. She chose to make it happen. She chose to be here. She chose to sing withyou.” Jesse smiles proudly.

The words register. “Do you think I should...”

“Absolutely.” Jesse grabs her coat from the back of the chair.“Let’s go.”

?

Peyton needs to see Cleo. She has to explain how she feels. She has to declare her feelings in the hope that Cleo feels the same, but first—

“Hi, Shonda.” Peyton smiles. There is no way to avoid the conversation; she has to pass her to leave.

Shonda nods. “Peyton.”

“Did you enjoy the performance?” Peyton cringes. Her shoulders hunch as she waits for some unfavourable commentary she categorically is not ready for.

“Yes. The duet was ratherwonderful.”

“You think so?” Peyton says, surprised.

“Did you not?” Shondafires back.

“Erm, no it’s not that. There was just a lot of tension between me and Cleo. I worried that came across badly.”

“It did.”

“Oh.” She drops her gaze.

“It did come across, but not badly.” Shonda sips the last of herchardonnay.

“Okay, tension is good?” Peyton tries to keep up. Shonda’s facial expressions are hard to read; she’s undecipherable at times.

“The audience want to feel the chemistry; they want the raw emotion, and the high-wire tension only musiccan create.”

“Huh.” Peyton has never thought ofit that way.

“Tell me this—what is Fleetwood Mac’sbest album?”

“Rumours,” Peyton answers.

“You’re sure?”

“Without a shadowof a doubt.”

“Why?”Shonda asks.

“It’s one of the best-selling albums of all time. It’sincredible.”

“Yes, but why?” Shonda asks again. “How did they create such a masterpiece despite all ofthe drama?”