Bristol nodded. “I think it would be better for you if we sang one of your songs instead. I’m a quick study.”

“That would be amazing.” Annie swallowed hard as she thought about everything she’d ever written and if it was even good enough for Bristol to sing. “There are two on my EP that might work.”

“Which ones are you thinking? We would sound great together on the first and the fourth song.”

Annie tried to hide her surprise that Bristol knew her music. She kept her voice casual. “You’ve listened to my EP?”

“Of course. What song are you considering?” Bristol typed on her phone. “I’m going to pull up the lyrics.”

Annie froze. All her songs felt elementary and unoriginal. “‘In the Light’ might be a good one.” She’d written it after a breakup. “No. Wait. This is a sad one. Let me find one that isn’t so dark.”

“Break-up song?” Bristol asked.

“Yeah. Pretty obvious, huh?” Annie asked.

“I have a lot of those, too. It seems like most of us like to pour our emotions out on the page when we hurt,” Bristol said.

“Speaking from experience?” Annie’s question was bold, but something about their private space made her feel like this alone time was precious and Bristol needed to talk.

“I can’t tell you how hard it is to date somebody who isn’t in it for my fame. I can’t even make friends, really.” Bristol’s shoulders sank at her confession.

Annie wanted to pull her into her arms and hug her. A part of her felt guilty because she was using her, too. What good was Annie bringing to the tour? She wasn’t giving Bristol any new fans, but Annie was raking new ones in daily. “I hope you know that I really appreciate what you’re doing for me. And people who’ve used you are just…” She paused to search for the perfect word. “Assholes. Even in the dating realm.”

“Are you dating anyone?” Bristol asked.

Annie shook her head. “No. I’ve been focusing on my music. My ex called it a hobby and never supported me, so I dumped her.”

“I have the opposite problem.”

Annie felt heat at Bristol’s stare. Intense wasn’t the best word to describe Bristol, but it came close. “Well, here’s to both of us not falling for the wrong people again.” She pursed her lips and paused. “Pull up ‘Waiting All Day.’ That has a sweet message, and it’s fast and will get them out of their seats. Well, the ones who show up at the start.” Annie watched Bristol’s lips move as she read the lyrics to herself.

“Oh, this is the fourth song. I definitely like the message. It is sweet.”