Michael held up a mason jar labeledFrom Scratch. Filled with layers of colorful spices and lentils, and tied off with a ribbon at the lid, it looked like a great gift. It also made him hungry. “So this is a labor of love?”
“Very much so.” Emily grabbed Trent’s hand. “And I’m lucky my fiancé is a talented professional chef. Trent has lots of helpful tips and tricks.” Her voice cracked. “He shares them with me all the time.”
Michael was about to invite Trent to say something about his work, but the man leaned in and monopolized the camera. “I can’t take any credit for Emily’s recipes, as much as I’d like to share some of my artistry. She prefers the rustic approach. Personally, I’m not a fan of peasant food. I prefer using gourmet ingredients and methods. My little firecracker won’t let me polish her rough diamonds, though.”
Lacey called “cut” while she dealt with a camera malfunction issue. The makeup woman brought Emily and Trent over to the side of the set so she could touch up their faces.
Eli pulled Michael aside. “Did that guy just call his girlfriend’s recipespeasant food?”
Michael tapped his foot repeatedly. “I don’t like him. I don’t like his hipster hair, I don’t like his tight jeans, and I don’t like the way he talks about Emily.”
Nick approached, a tease in his lowered voice. “But youdolike Emily?”
“Shut up, Nick.” Michael walked over to where Lacey worked. “Lacey, I want those comments aboutpeasant foodandrough diamondsedited out.”
“What’s wrong with peasant food? It’s a movement in the culinary industry.”
“Yeah, well, when Trent says it, he makes it sound like an insult.”
“With all due respect, Michael, why should you care?”
“I care because if he comes off sounding like a douchebag, our show will come off the same way. You said important people are watching us. Do you want them to get the wrong idea aboutHandymen?”
Lacey batted her false eyelashes. “Of course not. We wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea, would we? We’re all about clarity, aren’t we?”
“Don’t make this about something else.”
“Don’t worry, Michael. When we’ve changed the battery on this camera, we’ll do another take. Perhaps Trent will sound less insulting on the second try.”
Michael headed back to his spot and tried not to glare at Trent. However, as soon as the man spoke to Emily, Michael’s attention was diverted.
“Em,” said Trent as the makeup woman dusted his nose. “I’m not sure you should have worn those jeans. I don’t think they flatter your figure.”
“What do you mean?” Emily’s eyes widened.
Even the makeup lady raised her eyebrows in a silent warning.
Trent shrugged. “They make you look hippy, that’s all.”
“Oh, gee, thanks very much.”
Hippy?Michael stared, aghast. Emily’s hips were just as they ought to be. Round and curvy, just the sort of hips a man would enjoy caressing. Where did Andrews get off?
He came to the conclusion he hated the man.
Perhaps he was being somewhat harsh. Hate was a strong word. In general, he didn’t like using it.
HedislikedTrent Andrews. To an extreme degree. Sort of the way a person with a sensitive nose might feel about body odor.
Michael stepped forward but Eli grabbed him by the elbow. “Stop right there. I can see the smoke coming out of your ears.”
“You heard what he said, right?”
“I did.”
“And what are your impressions?”
Eli rubbed his chin. “I think he’s trying to prove something. I think he’s dealing with a major inferiority complex.”
