Jack removed a folded paper from his coat pocket and handed it over. She scanned the document. Just a few lines expressing her apology for what happened. How excited she was for the future. That there was amazing stuff coming soon she couldn’t wait to talk about.
“What’s the amazing stuff?” she asked.
“I’ve drafted a multipoint plan to get you back on track before the bigPractical Parentingepisode. Step one is for you to get comfortable in front of a live audience again.”
Er… “I’m sorry. What kind of plan is this?” Because that seemed more like step twenty, not step one.
If he wasn’t firing her? Great. Supremely great. She still had a gig.
However, and it was a massivehowever, there was no way she would put herself through another live example of what a failure she could be. Prerecorded video? Absolutely. She was all in. A carefully crafted live from her home that she could control? Sure thing.
Another opportunity for losing her shit? Never. Not ever. Again.
When Jack had landed this interview, she’d been so excited. That level of exposure was a dream come true.
Before.
Now she had to cancel that particular dream. Which was pretty apt for her recent life decisions. They needed a new strategy. One that didn’t involvePractical Parentingor anything else not filmed in advance with an abundance of opportunity for editing.
“The plan is for us to move forward through this challenge,” he said. “You are coming out on the other side of this with no permanent brand damage. That’s not only what I’m saying—it’s what I’m promising.”
Brilliant idea. But—
“Is that even possible at this point?” She didn’t think so. Rachel didn’t think so. Simone definitely didn’t think so. Kitty perched on the fence.
His blue eyes bore into hers.
“Yes. The Plan is going to work.” He nodded as he spoke. His certainty nearly had her nodding along with him.
It took four tries to perfect the video of her apology and her excitement for the future. Jack filmed from his cell and forwarded to the team to edit and post.
April remained more than a little shell-shocked.
“This really isn’t the part where you tell me I’m done?” She pinched at Harmony’s ring again.
“April.” He gave her that look of his that heated her skin in a good way, right before he went in for the kill that he delivered in most definitely nota good way.The haughty chin lift. The squint. The way he scrunched half of his face, causing his left dimple to pop. “This is the part where we make you shine.”
Chapter Seven
“Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
—Elizabeth, Hornsby, Australia
Jack
Jack glanced around April’s living room. Purple must be April’s favorite color because she filled the entire house with it. He liked it. Appreciated the soothing feel of the house. The way a guy felt like he could take off his suit jacket and relax.
The place felt like a home—like people who loved one another lived there. The whole vibe reminded him of Sarah and Ben’s house. Or Rachel’s, even. Which meant there would probably be a kid screeching through at any moment to wreck the serenity. That’s how it usually played out.
Though April had that calming scented stuff everywhere. Maybe that worked with kids? The house smelled like the candle shop across from Neiman-Marcus that Sarah had dragged him to when he moved into his apartment.
She’d insisted he needed candles. Though he never ended up using the ones she’d given him as a housewarming gift. She mentioned something about essential oil blends and stress levels and how his future girlfriend would appreciate his efforts in domestication.
“There’s something we need to figure out.” April heaved a huge lungful of air and her face paled. “With your plan.”
Jack waited to see where she was going with this, but he had a strong hunch he wouldn’t like it. Especially given the chatter about contract cancelling.
“The livePractical Parentingappearance has to go.” She nodded as she said this, though her complexion paled further.
