So, she shrugged as she admitted, “Yeah, but it’s different.”
Juliet scoffed. “How so?”
“Because you’re Juliet Jacobs,” Darcy returned, easily. “I’ve read things about you and watched your interviews for years. Since long before you even knew who I was.”
And now, here they were. Juliet bringing Darcy dinner from her favorite restaurant because she’d stalked her through interviews.
Jesus, that was fucking insane. This, actually, might be one of the most insane moments of her life, now that Darcy really thought about it.
Darcy’s honest comment seemed to give Juliet a moment of pause. It also seemed to please her, her full lips quirking into a sly smile. “Have you.”
It wasn’t quite a question, like she was asking Darcy to confirm that she’d followed Juliet’s career for years, more like a musing. Something quiet, a little reflective, and very… satisfied.
Darcy wasn’t ashamed by it, though. She looked Juliet right in the eye, as she confirmed, “Yes, I have. Of course, I have.”
She bit the inside of her cheek, deciding how honest to be with Juliet.
No way did she really trust her, but… there was also no way they could be collaborators on a song that was halfway decent if they couldn’t form any sort of honest communication. Something that went alittledeeper than this.
Darcy tapped both of her hands lightly on her thighs as a little hype for herself. Besides, what was the worst thing that could happen? Juliet mocked her? Already been there, very publicly.
“You know,” she started, staring intently at Juliet. “That’s the reason I took everything you’ve said about me so personally.”
That seemed to throw Juliet off slightly. She’d been taking the top off of her dinner container, and her movements froze. Just for a second, but Darcy noticed.
“What do you mean?” Juliet asked, returning Darcy’s stare with her quiet intensity.
“I mean, I… look, you’re not the first person to say disparaging things about me, in my journey through the music world. Even long before that. You couldn’t even fathom the number of dismissals and insults I’ve had over the years. But try not to take thempersonally,” she confessed, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, hoping Juliet could understand that she was really trying to tell her something important. “But I did take what you said personally. Every time. Because I… I don’t know, I admired you. Your career. We share the same birthday. You do the thing I’ve always wanted to do. I never believed we’d be, like, friends or whatever. But at the NAMAs, the first time we were in the same place, I thought, wow. I fucking did it. And then…”
She trailed off, shrugging, because they both knew what happened then.
“Huh,” Juliet’s tone was soft, thoughtful. But that was all she said.
Darcy exhaled, shaking her head slightly as she opened her own dinner. The ball was in Juliet’s court, now. She could decide where to go from here.
Admittedly, Darcy really hoped Juliet decided to gosomewherefrom here because god, she wanted to do this song. She wanted it so badly.
Winning awards and having this kind of money, it was – incredible. But being asked to do a song for a legend like Shelby? This was a once in a lifetime thing, something Darcy never thought would be in her lifetime.
“In the name of beingreal,” Juliet began after almost a minute of silence. Then she paused, the muscle in her jaw tightening. Finally, she sighed. “The reality is – yes, I was jealous of you beating me for an award. But that wasn’t… can’t you see? This song for Shelby embodies one of the biggest reasons about why you drive me so damn crazy.”
Juliet’s hand was curled into a tight fist and she tapped it firmly against the table. Like she had the same kind of energy inside that Darcy felt when she was riled up.
“I have paid my dues for almost ten years, Darcy. And yet, the only way I can be on this album is with your name next to mine.” Juliet’s lips turned down into a deep frown.
Darcy sat back with that, rolling it over in her mind. At the root of it, she could objectively see why that made Juliet upset. Even so, she couldn’t help but point out, “Okay, even if I can understand that, the reality is you still made it aboutme. Like I’m the one who made these decisions. And, obviously, I didn’t. I’m just here, trying to do the same thing you are.”
“Oh, it’s still aboutyou, Darcy. I said that was one of the reasons.”
Darcy’s heart flip-flopped at the weight of Juliet’s stare, at the seemingly dark amusement in her tone.
“What are the other reasons?” The question slipped out of her mouth with unfettered curiosity spiking through her. Clawing at her, really, desperate to know more.
Desperate to understand the parts of Juliet’s mind that she’d taken residence in, wanting – more than she’d cared to admit to herself – to know all of the reasonswhy.
Rather than answer, Juliet shook her head. One side of her mouth curled up in a ridiculously attractive, sly smile. “One shared dinner doesn’t mean I’ll bethatopen with you.”
Darcy huffed out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.