Chapter 8

8

C oming down the stairs at the Indigo Lounge a few days later, Mia felt like she was on cloud nine. Harper had been keeping her tided over with occasional updates but had saved any major details for when they would be meeting in person. Deborah had been overjoyed when Mia told her about the contract, smugly telling her that she'd known about her potential all along. Reaching the main floor of the lounge, Mia looked out fondly at the patrons of the lounge. There were a few women sitting close to the bar, laughing over a pot of tea. Ruby, still working on her manuscript, was sitting in the corner sipping a cup of coffee and intermittently sighing to herself. Mia gave her a wave and, when she waved back, scanned the room and locked eyes with Deborah.

"It's like this place has some sort of creative ley-line or something," Deborah said once she'd come over, sitting at a booth and gesturing to the seat across from her. "Everybody's working on a novel, or music, or sketching people passing by..."

"It's a really encouraging environment, honestly. Made even better by having supportive people like you around."

"Ah, don't be silly, Mia, that's what I do. You're an absolute credit to the community here, you should be very proud of yourself."

Mia shrugged.

"We look after each other."

"We certainly do," said a voice from the front door.

Turning, Mia saw Harper striding towards them, shoulders set back in a way that oozed confidence. Her braids were tied back behind her head, allowing Mia to see her face fully. Her eyes weren't any less piercing, but in daylight they shone.

Reaching the booth, Harper stayed standing, pulling an iPad out of a satchel and pulling up an online calendar full of appointments.

"Are you ready to be busy?" joked Harper, passing the iPad to Mia. "You will have to add your email to the contact list at the top, and then you'll have full access to your schedule for the next two months. Do you hear me, Mia?"

Mia was scrolling through the calendar, eyes wide with shock and delight. Harper laughed to herself and looked over at Deborah, who was smiling fondly. Mia gently put the iPad down before suddenly launching herself into Harper's arms, squeezing her tightly. Harper froze for a moment before squeezing her back.

This seemed to embarrass Mia, who jumped back, sat down and began hastily apologizing.

"Oh my goodness, that was so unprofessional, I'm so sorry?—"

She was interrupted when Harper slid into the booth next to her and lay a hand on her thigh.

"Mia," she said with a laugh, "You're fine. I'm glad you're so happy with it, I really am." Harper leaned in, giving Mia a soft kiss on the cheek. Mia looked at Deborah for a moment, horrified, but she only rolled her eyes.

"I know. Of course I know! What, did you think I was completely oblivious?" she said, taking mock offence. Mia turned red, pursing her lips together and looking over at Harper.

"Oh, you poor baby," said Harper, dripping with sarcasm, squeezing Mia's waist.

"Can you blame me?" asked Mia. "I really thought you would have come to your senses after you'd sobered up. For a while there I honestly thought I'd dreamed it..." Mia squeezed Harper's thigh and looked up at her with a soft smile.

"Why on earth would you think that, sweetheart? I meant everything that I said. I'm here to make sure you're looked after."

"Yeah, I mean you two are so sappy already I didn't think there would be any doubt," Deborah quipped, laughing when Mia looked at her in shock.

"You two have been about as subtle as a brick through a window, honestly, you think my gaydar isn't strong enough to pick up on you?"

A beat passed and they all burst out laughing, any tension dissolving as Mia realized that not only was this real it would stay that way.

"I guess I owe you an explanation. You're not my first agent?—"

Harper faux-gasped, but Deborah reached out and swatted her on the arm, nodding at Mia to continue. She hadn't just heard this story before; she had been there when everything happened.

"A few years ago, I was meant to headline the local Thanksgiving festival's after-party. I had my set picked out, we had done soundcheck, and an hour before showtime they told me they had decided on another artist. When I went to call my agent at the time he wouldn't answer my messages."

Mia could tell that Harper was appalled at this lack of professionalism, but she had to finish the story, so she continued.

"When I finally got through to him, he told me that he didn't think my music was "the right fit" for the festival and had the set changed himself. The artist they had replaced me with was another band he represented. This wasn't the first time it had happened, actually, but it was definitely the final straw. I dropped him as my agent and tried to stay independent, but the scene isn't easy to break into unless you have representation. I'm very lucky that you came along and found me."

Mia smiled but Harper was deathly quiet, arm around Mia's waist, visibly trying to wrap her head around what she was hearing. She took a deep breath.

"I'm so fucking sorry that happened, Mia."

Mia shrugged, but it seemed like Harper was having none of it and shook her head.

"As an agent, you have a responsibility to be upfront and open to communication with your artists. You're not just representation, you're pretty much one of the only ways they can get anything done. I'm so sorry he treated you like that, Mia, you really deserved better."

"I have better," Mia said in as assuring a voice as she could. "You are so much better."

"I promise you, Mia, genuinely, I won't do anything of the sort. If I have a problem, I'll come straight to you."

"You're too sweet," Mia said, leaning in for a kiss. Deborah fake-gagged, and Harper flipped her the bird while kissing Mia back.

"Alright, now that that's been dealt with, lets take a look at the actual schedule," said Harper, drawing the group's attention back to the iPad.

"You have three recording sessions next week; we're hoping to have that song you recorded out as a single as soon as possible. The week after that, you'll have a photoshoot for MusicLife magazine, and I've asked them to assign a stylist who... fits your personal fashion sense, shall we say."

"So you're not going to stick me in a sundress with a headscarf?" Mia said, looking relieved.

"Absolutely not!" said Harper. "You're going to have input into what you wear for the shoot, and I know you're fond of a more alternative style, so I'll make sure we find someone to work with who understands that."

Mia beamed, barely able to believe what she was hearing.

"It doesn't end there," said Deborah. "Harper called me a few days ago to ask for a minor favor. Two days after the photoshoot, the day before you'll be featured in MusicLife , you'll be the musical guest on Late Night Friday with Warren Murrey . The network has been looking for fresh talent to bring onstage, and Harper and I managed to convince them that you'd be a perfect fit."

"Which you would be!" said Harper, squeezing Mia again.

Deborah continued.

"You'll be doing a show at The Orchid immediately after, and we'll have an after-party to celebrate once that's done."

Mia felt like she was floating. The Orchid was one of the most exclusive nightclubs in LA, with a waiting list for reservations a mile long and a VIP list that was nearly impossible to get on. The best of the best got to perform on its stage, and Mia was going to be one of them.

"This feels a little insane. It's so much so soon, I really didn't think I would ever get one of these opportunities, let alone all of them !" Mia was giddy, so obviously excited that when Esme came over with drinks for them she said,

"What's gotten you so excited? Please don't tell me you two are U-Hauling already, I can only handle so much."

"They may as well be," said Deborah. "These lovebirds are all excited for Mia's big fixture on Late Night Friday ."

"Wait, how do you know?" Harper asked Esme suspiciously.

"I could tell from a mile off," Esme said, shrugging. "Wait, Mia's going to be on Late Night Friday?!"

"Like I said, subtle as a brick through a window," joked Deborah. "Yeah, she is."

"But honey, what are you going to wear?" asked Esme. "Showing up in a tartan skirt and fishnet top is all good here, but for national television?"

"I actually don't know," admitted Mia, looking to Harper. "Could you help me figure something out?"

"I'll put you in contact with the stylist from MusicLife , they're an absolute darling. They'll help you put something together."

"Thank you so much." Mia felt like a golden light had planted itself in her chest. She was radiating excitement and began chatting to Esme about her options for styling.

"I can't go out on national television looking basic, but if we'll be travelling to The Orchid after I'll need something pretty comfortable..."

"You're playing The Orchid?!"

Harper seemed content to sit back and watch the two women excitedly discuss costuming options and looked over to Deborah, who was smiling to herself. Gently, Harper raised Mia's hand to her mouth and kissed it. Turning to her, Mia mouthed, Thank you .

Harper, seemingly happy to drink in Mia's overflowing joy, didn't say anything at all.