Page 14 of Rock My Girl

She was a natural. From the way she moved, to the way she turned to sing directly at me when it was meaningful, to the way she flipped the mic cable out of the way with a flourish, Cassie was a rock star. She just didn't know it yet.

Our three songs were over in a blink, and when I tried to say good night, the host insisted I play my single from the first album.

Cassie elbowed me, then nodded. Even though she made up her harmonies on the fly, it sounded better than it ever had before. She sang like she had back in the photography studio when I'd first laid eyes on her, but now there was so much more energy, and a growing confidence.

I was sad when the song ended, wanting our voices to blend together forever.

The next hour was a blur of taking notes from people who had friendly suggestions about the new material. Basically everyone said that they loved it, but that song two should be a bit faster, and Cassie's voice should be much louder than mine in the bridge on song three.

By the time I was driving us home, my head was spinning.

"You know, I never thought about having a songwriting partner," I said, reaching over to take her hand. "But like all wonderful things in life, you just appeared."

"I am…a wonderful thing in your life?" she asked.

"You have no idea, baby." I flashed her a grin. "Will you stay over again tonight?"

"Tentatively, yes." She checked her phone, then heaved a dramatic sigh of relief. "No rush jobs. So, yes."

As I headed for my loft, I felt a deep wave of contentment wash over me. The new album was coming together better than I could have ever imagined. Cassie's energy and bright new ideas were inspiring me, helping me create the best album of my life.

For the first time I had a real musical partner.

Most important of all, I was already head over heels in love with her.

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