Sing anyway: a moonlighters novella - anita kelly

After a lifetime of failed relationships, non-binary history professor Sam Bell is committed to a new (non)romantic strategy: Thirst Only.

Its the actual drinking where things get too complicated, where Sam inevitably gets hurt.

Sam is good at being thirsty, though, especially when its karaoke night at The Moonlight Cafe, otherwise known as Moonies to its largely queer regulars.

Moonies is fun.

Comfortable.

Except for tonight, when one by one, all of Sams friends abandon them.

Disappointed, they prepare to leave.

Until their #1 karaoke crush catches their eye.

For Lily Fischer, karaoke at Moonies is the only time she can step outside of her quiet shell.

When theres a mic in her hand, shes no longer merely a receptionist harboring big dreams.

At Moonies, Lily can pretend to be someone else: someone bold, who takes what she wants.

And tonight, what Lily wants is the way Sam looks at her across the room as she sings her signature opening song, like they see her exactly as she wants to be seen.

Like Moonies Lily is real.

As the night progresses, both Sams and Lilys personal boundaries are tested, and the real world outside of Moonies looms.

But maybe sometimes, the real world should be a little more like karaoke.

Its not always about knowing all the right words or having the perfect voice.

Maybe all Sam and Lily need is a little courage to pick up the mic, and sing anyway.