“Well, Simon Side-Eyeismore popular than me,” I admit, since my dog absolutely kills it on social media with his sarcastic commentary on our photos—like the one I took last night of us dancing. “Seriously, where does he come up with this stuff?”
“I can’t even imagine,” Mabel says, nodding toward the studio. “Ready? I need to meet a broker later today.”
“Ooh, do you think you’ll get a space finally?” I ask. Mabel’s been trying to find the perfect location for a bakery.
She crosses her fingers. “We’ll see.” She sounds cautious, wary even, but I get it. She’s been working her butt off to make the leap from selling cookies and other treats at farmers’ markets, pop-up shops, and local cafés to, hopefully, having her own bakery. A few spaces have fallen through, but I’m seriously proud of her gumption and her skills. Trevyn too—he refurbishes furniture. It’s a far cry from his former career as a professional pairs figure skater, but he’s nailing this one just like he nailed jumps and lutzes once upon a time.
We head into the small studio and move into our seats like synchronized podcasters. I flip open my laptop, fire up the software, and hit a few buttons. After testing our mics, we’re good to go. The only thing left is the camera. I pop my smartphone into the ring light in the room, hit record, then return to my seat.
“Hey there, we’re back with another episode ofHot Trends, Classic Spends.This is your host—Skylar Haven. I’m joined by two of my favorite sidekicks?—”
Trevyn clears his throat. “Sidekick? I like to think of myself as the main attraction.”
“I’m bringing the headliner energy too,” Mabel adds, not to be outdone.
“Fine, fine. We are all superstars here,” I concede. “And I’m going to be a superheroine of eco-design since my new client wants me to do—wait for it—his entire houseandmake it sustainable.”
They already know this, but Trevyn gives a “whoop, whoop,” and Mabel adds, “That’s awesome.”
“Thank you. I’m, admittedly, a little excited. I live for this kind of blank slate. And I have big plans,” I add, then share some of my general ideas for the home.
“And this is for Sexy Reno Guy?” Trevyn asks with agotchasmirk.
Of course Trevyn knows the big new clientisthe hot neighbor I hated for a day. I’d never keep that kind of juicy nugget from friends. Still, I do my best to remain unfazed for the sake of podcasting entertainment, furrowing my brow as I innocently ask, “Did I call him that?”
Mabel smirks. “No, but based on the red in your face, I think the name might be sticking.”
I press a hand to my cheeks. My skinisa little hot. “Please. My cheeks aren’t red,” I say, grabbing my coffee and taking a long sip. It’ll cool me off.
“So heisSexy Reno Guy?” Trevyn smirks, enjoying himself way too much.
“I would never use such a term,” I say, acting all prim and proper.
“Doesn’t mean we can’t. Right, Trev?” Mabel, the little scamp, flashes a grin at Trevyn.
He leans back in his chair. “I’m all for calling it like it is.”
“As I said, he’s a client.”And he has muscles for days. And hair that I want to rope my fingers through. And a stern expression that I find ludicrously hot.
“Poh-tay-toe, poh-tah-toe. He can be a clientandhot. The two aren’t mutually exclusive,” Trevyn points out, always stirring up trouble. “Mabel, level with our followers. Have you ever had a hot…client? Like, the owners of the cafés and places you supply to?”
“I don’t think of my clients that way,” Mabel answers diplomatically, and who’s the prim and proper one now?
“Oh, the tables have turned,” I say to her.
“When you’re hauling boxes of baked goods at four in the morning, you’re not usually thinking of someone’s hotness since your own hotness is in the swamp,” she explains.
Trevyn snorts. “Liar. One, you’re always hot, Mabel. And two, your hotness detector does not turn off even if you’re a swamp.”
“He’s right. The radar is twenty-four-seven,” I say.
Trevyn levels me with a sharp stare. “My point exactly. So the sooneryouadmit your new client is a hot tamale, the better off we’ll be.”
“And why’s that?” I counter.
He sets his chin in his hand. “Because it’s more fun for me.”
I laugh, then relent slightly. “Fine, I’ll admit Sexy Reno Guy is easy on the eyes. But that’s not the point?—”
