Take A Chance With Me (With Me in Seattle 18)

She sits up and plugs her other ear, listening.

“Okay, that sounds great. Yep. Okay. Thank you so much. This is exciting. Perfect, thank you.”

She hangs up, turns to me, and bites her lip.

“What is it?”

“He just emailed me the finished song. I get to listen to it.”

Chapter 16

~Maggie~

“What song?” Kane asks, and I turn to find everyone quiet and staring at me. Even Maeve and Stasia, who just walked back into the room.

“Oh, uh. Well, it’s a long story.”

“And we have all evening,” Da says with a small smile. “What’s going on, then?”

Cameron squeezes my shoulders, and I pull myself out of his lap, clearing my throat.

“So, I’ve been recording short songs and posting them on social media. It started as a little hobby because I like to sing, and the acoustics in my bathroom are pretty great. Anyway, in less than a year, I’ve grown to just over three million followers.”

“What?” Maeve demands, reaching for her phone. “Mary Margaret, why didn’t you tell us?”

“It’s just a little—”

“Hobby,” Shawn finishes and crosses his arms over his chest.

“Right. Anyway, Cam accidentally found out about it, and then he called Leo and surprised me with a recording day in the studio with Nash.”

“This is incredible,” Stasia says and dances a little jig. “Leo’s the best. And you’re the best. Let’s listen to the song.”

“Wait, you guys know Leo Nash?” Brian asks Rachel. “That’s, like, really cool.”

I swallow hard and look over at Cameron.

“Share it with them. It’s beautiful.”

“You’ve heard it?” Lexi asks.

“Just the rough cut,” I explain. “But it’s been remastered now. This is the final version. For the album—and the radio.”

“The freaking radio?” Izzy demands. “They’re releasing the single?”

“Yes. I think it’s going to be the first single off the album.”

“This is the coolest thing ever,” Rachel says, bouncing in her seat. “Play it.”

“We have to hear it,” Maeve agrees. “Now. I’m dying here.”

“Okay.” Butterflies invade my stomach as I open my email.

“Wait,” Hunter says, holding up a hand. “Not there. We need to listen to this the right way. We can tether your phone to my sound system.”

“Excellent idea,” Cam says and reaches for my cell. Within seconds, the two men have it connected through Bluetooth to the speakers that are all over the house. “Ready?”

“Oh, God, I’m going to hyperventilate,” I mutter and wipe my hand down my face. “Okay. Hit play.”

Cam kisses my forehead and leans over to whisper in my ear. “Don’t worry, it’s fantastic. They’re already so proud of you.”

With the tap of Cam’s thumb on my phone screen, the room fills with music. Piano, followed by the addition of guitar, and then Leo’s voice.

I join him at the chorus, and everyone around me smiles widely. The song builds through the second chorus, just me, and then the bridge.

It’s such a beautiful song, and Leo was right. It’s fantastic.

“Again,” Da says when it ends, and Cam presses play once more. Halfway through, Maeve and Shawn are singing along, and by the end of it, I’m swept up in hugs and love, and we’re back to celebrating again.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Maeve says.

“I’ve been a little busy,” I remind her. “It’s good, isn’t it?”

“I’m going to give you a very honest opinion,” Hunter says, his face completely sober. Oh, no. My stomach falls to my feet. But then, he grins. “It’s freaking amazing. It’s going to be a hit. I guarantee it.”

“Tell them the rest,” Cam urges.

“There’s more?” Kane asks.

“Well, nothing set in stone. Leo just mentioned that maybe, if I’m interested, I could work as a backup singer for them on their next tour.”

Again, silence fills the room.

“You’re kidding,” Shawn says at last.

“No, but again, it’s just an idea. And only if I want to. It’s a long way off, anyway.”

Da wraps his arms around me and holds me close. “I’m so proud of you, baby girl.”

“I need a Guinness, two whiskeys—neat—and a cola,” I say to Keegan the following night. The pub is busy, and things are finally back to normal around here. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed working at the pub until I was away for several days.

“You’re a bossy one,” Keegan says with a wink.

“You missed me. Oh, and there’s a table in the back I’m keeping my eye on. College kids here for the weekend. They haven’t been too bad, but the one on the end looks like he’s gonna get handsy.”

“I’ll keep an eye out, too,” Cam says from his seat next to me at the bar.

“If you’re going to keep acting as security, you should get a polo shirt and a salary,” I inform him. “I’m fine.”

“I’m just making sure,” he replies and sips his beer.

I like having him here. I especially love it when I glance his way and find him looking at me with those blue eyes that make me all gooey inside.