He finished his work for the day, and began to pack up his things.He was just about ready to seek out Claire when Lacey appeared.
She met him at his truck, as he was putting his tools away.“Hey, do you have a minute?”
“Sure.What’s up?”
“Nick, I wanted to talk to you before anyone else.”Lacey took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.“I wanted you to know I have a new job.”
At first, Nick didn’t flinch.Of course, she had a new job.So did he.They had a new job together, onNick of Time.
But he quickly realized they weren’t talking about the same thing.“Wait.A different new job?”
She nodded, her shoulders trembling as she held back her excitement.“With the Create Network.”She let out a squeal.
“Holy shit.”Create was Lacey’s Holy Grail.She’d been trying to get a slot forHandymenon Create since its inception.The large American home improvement network was everything Inspiration was trying to be.Ever since the Zorns had started working with Lacey, all they’d heard about was Create.“Congratulations.This is huge.”
“I know!”She jumped up and down, then stopped, in case anyone saw her.
No wonder she’d been distracted at times.He’d also noticed her acting secretive on her phone calls.Nick had known something was up, but had never thought this was it.“What will you be doing for them?”
“Directing, as usual.They want me at the helm of their new show.The hosts are a well-known celebrity couple who happen to share a passion for design.I’m not allowed to drop any names yet, but we’re talking A-listers.Well, maybe more like B-plus, but they’re still really cool.”
“Damn, Lacey, this sounds right up your alley.”He hugged her hard.“I’m happy for you.”
“I’m just sorry I won’t be able to doNick of Timewith you.It has nothing to do with your show.This is an opportunity I can’t turn down.”
“I understand.This is fantastic.When are you going to tell everyone?”
“I think I’ll gather everyone together on Monday, but I wanted you to know first, because we were going to work together.I’ll talk to Michael and Eli, and then I’ll tell the rest of the crew.”
“Sounds like a plan.I won’t tell anyone before you do.”
“Thanks.Have a great weekend!”She hurried off to find Eli and Michael.
Nick put a hand on his truck door.For some reason, he couldn’t quite focus on the pebbles at his feet.
Oh, yeah.It must be because his head was spinning.
He was thrilled for Lacey, but he’d never envisioned doingNick of Timewithout her.He wouldn’t survive without her guidance.OnHandymen, she was the one who’d told him and his brothers what to say, how to say it, where to stand and when to smile at the camera.Hell, she even told them what to wear, although they normally fought back a little on that one.Lacey was the backbone of the show, and he’d counted on her being there for his new venture.
Without her, he wasn’t sure he wanted to do it anymore.
Only he did.WithHandymen, they’d been able to help so many families renovate their homes, and had been able to share tips with a wide audience.Nick wanted to do more of the same on his own gig.He liked to think they taught people things, and he saw himself doing so for at least a few more years.
This meant he’d be getting a new director.What if Lacey’s replacement didn’t have as much patience?What if they didn’t like him?What if he didn’t like them?
What if the whole thing failed?He wouldn’t have Lacey there to go to bat for him with the executives.
First, he’d lost his brothers as co-hosts, and now this.
All of a sudden, Nick’s throat thickened.Even though he knew his airways were clear, he struggled to breathe.
Together, Michael and Eli had been his rock.But in her own way, Lacey had been an anchor for the last few years.What if, without her, without all of them, he just floated away?
Needing to hold on to something, anything, he got into his truck.Hands gripping the steering wheel, he peeled out of the Haven lot and drove until he wasn’t sure where he was driving anymore.
Chapter Fifteen
Claire woke up on a wave of determination on Saturday morning.
