He raised his hand. “I knew you wouldn’t love the idea but hear me out. The dance sequences are extremely vigorous. You’re a new performer, especially in venues like the ones where we’ve booked your shows. There’s a lot of money riding on you, Emily. Millions of dollars. People have made investments in your image, and we cannot afford your vocals not to be everything the audience expects and more. It’s too risky.”

“Isn’t it a risk that I’ll be mocked?” I asked. “That my talent will be questioned?”

“You’re not lip-synching someone else’s vocals, babe. You’re lip-synching your own. Lots of big names do it. It’s practically expected in this day and age. And the professionals get it. Very few can focus on doing ten things at once, and why should you? You’re called an entertainer for a reason.”

I thought I was called a singer.

Leon went on. “We’ve weighed the risks and benefits and determined this is the best way to go. A flop now would be career suicide. This is a business, babe. Business can make the dream feel less shiny, but it’s also what keeps the dream alive. Do you understand?”

I nodded slowly. I understood, I did. And I was scared of risking it all too. Leon Lee was one of the very best in the business. His client list—and their net worth—spoke of a man who knew exactly what he was doing and guided his clients to success. Was I going to be the fool who disregarded what he thought was best for my career? Wouldn’t I be stupid not to take Leon’s advice to heart?

Yes. Yes, I would.

So why did it feel like my heart was shrinking in my chest? Yes, it was because the idea of lip-synching made me feel like a total sellout. But also… I’d chosen this career so that I could sing all the time. That was my dream. My passion. And I was having a hard time squaring how living my dream also meant…losing it.

chapter ten

Tuck

The getup Emily was currently shimmying in across the makeshift stage was little more than a tasseled, rhinestone-studded bikini. The thigh-high boots added a bit more coverage and yet somehow made the outfit that much more risqué.

Risqué? You sound like a crotchety old man. Just enjoy it.

The problem? I was enjoying it. A little too much. I pushed my sunglasses up my nose, angling my head so it appeared I was looking off to the side when I was really staring at her. She did have an amazing body. Toned yet rounded in all the right places. Long, shapely legs. And though I couldn’t see them now, I knew even her ankles were pretty. And the way she moved. Graceful. Effortless. Sexy as hell. God, the way she’d feel underneath—