“We’ve asked for a team to help with this because, as you know, there’s a strict one month deadline. We will film a lot of main content, but there will also be a lot of work done when the cameras aren’t rolling to help drive things along quickly.”
“Works for me.”
Andrea turns to Frank. “He really is the best, huh?”
“He’s a hard worker. Whatever you need, him and the rest of the team can get it done. No questions asked.”
I nod in agreement.
“Our solo star,” Andrea says with a bit of shimmy in her body like she’s excited. “Is doing her first walk through of the house as she hasn’t seen what the inside looks like yet. This way, she can plan what she wants to do. After she’s done, we can get the meeting and introductions started with everyone present.Does that work?” Andrea asks, gaze bouncing between Frank and me.
Her?
My brows lift before I can stop them but clear my throat and school my expression. I mentally prepared for some guy with a beard and a hammer to be staying in my apartment. Definitely not a woman. Interesting.
“Yep,” I say.
“I have to go check on some projects on the other side of town,” Frank says, looking down at his watch. “But Tucker here will be in charge, and whatever you need, he’s your man.”
Frank’s words hit me harder than they should have.
It’s just a simple compliment, but it’s lodged in my chest like it belongs there.
I’ve always been good at being the extra set of hands. The guy who shows up early, stays late, and fixes whatever needs fixing without being asked. I’m the helper. The one who tries to make things easier for everyone else. The funny guy who makes everyone laugh to keep the energy up.
I’m good at that.
I help Dallas coach a kids’ baseball team.
I help Griffin behind the bar so he doesn’t have to work nights.
But what I’m not used to is being in charge of anything. It makes my chest feel tight that Frank sees the ability in me to run the crew for this project.
When I turn to face Andrea, she’s staring at me with a smile on her face, like she might believe it, too.
Laughter flows from the house, and Andrea turns around. “Oh, good, they’re done. We can get this meeting started.”
When I follow her stare, the world around me stops spinning.
Of all houses,shehas to walk out of this one.
Scottie, with her bold blazer and a strut that could stop traffic, is the very last person I’m expecting to see standing in the doorway. The universe really has a messed-up sense of humor.
My brain immediately travels back to that night in San Francisco. That night, when I heard her laugh echo in the dark room and how she tasted like tequila and trouble. The memory hits me and I clench my fist at my sides, remembering how her skin felt under my hands and the sound of her voice screaming my name in the hotel room.
Now she’s here. Standing in broad daylight, looking like sin wrapped in sunshine. Anddammit,if it doesn’t knock the air right out of me and make me feel like my chest is caving in.
Because I left that next morning.
I left without a word while she was still sleeping. Never expecting to see her again.
CHAPTER 4
ARE YOU SUGGESTING I FAKE DATE HIM?
Scottie
“Before we get started, can I see the inside of the house? I haven’t been inside yet,” I ask Andrea’s assistant, Jade.
