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It took several adjustments, but eventually we found positions that allowed the microphone to capture both our voices cleanly.

I recorded a short sample, listened to it, and sent it to the designated Folio reviewer.

While we waited for confirmation, Hudson studied the Heartwood passage.

“Let me get this straight. The trees recognize fated mates because their sap starts glowing? Does it happen whenever the couple gets close, or only when somebody touches the trunk?”

“There’s a ritual involved,” I said. “I’m not sure you’ll approve of it.”

Hudson turned a page to find the description.

He looked at me with considerable interest.

“Peyton, I think we’ve found another chapter that could benefit from a professional forestry consultation.”

I laughed.

“I’m beginning to suspect you only signed this contract so you could complain about imaginary vegetation.”

“Not at all. The money’s good, the company seems reasonable, and I happen to like my coworker.”

My breath caught.

Hudson returned his attention to the manuscript, although I could see the corner of his mouth lifting.

I pretended to be fascinated by the recording levels.

The reviewer’s response arrived a few minutes later. Our test had passed, provided we maintained the same positioning and kept the duet recordings clearly labeled.

I confirmed the instructions and prepared the next take.

“Ready?” I asked.

Hudson turned toward me.

“Whenever you are.”

For the next hour, we worked through several exchanges between Drake and Isadora.

The first few attempts were challenging. We had to learn how to share the microphone without turning our heads too far away from it, and I discovered that Hudson’s natural inclination to gesture while speaking could produce an alarming amount of fabric noise.

I showed him how to keep the movement in his expression and voice rather than his shoulders.

He adapted quickly.

Soon we were responding to each other’s dialogue without needing to stop and discuss every pause.

During one scene, I delivered Isadora’s impatient retort with a little more bite than I’d originally intended.

Hudson answered immediately, giving Drake a warm, teasing laugh that caught me completely off guard.

The exchange worked beautifully.

I marked the take and looked at him.

“That was excellent. Did you hear how the rhythm changed when you responded to my tone instead of waiting for the pause I’d marked?”

“I did. It helped having you right here instead of trying to imagine what your character sounded like.”