“Don’t worry,” Lily says, noticing my expression. “If he givesyou any trouble, remind him that I’m the only reason he gets free cinnamon buns.”
“And if he gets grumpy,” Blair adds, “just feed him. He’s like a Labrador in work boots. Carbs will calm him down.”
I smile. “I’ll have to keep that in my back pocket.”
“Good. And in case you need the reminder, you’ll do great today.”
“You think?”
The smile that spreads across Lily’s face is proud—too proud maybe, for someone who only knows me through a screen. It makes me feel off balance and caught somewhere between unease and comfort.
“You have that look people get before they do something that scares the hell out of them,” Lily says. “Scary means it’s something that matters.”
My throat tightens, and I don’t know what to say back because she’s right.
This isn’t just nerves about a strict schedule or a camera crew following me around. It’s the aching hope deep inside of me that this might finally be the thing that changes my life around. That changes how people see me—how my mom sees me. This isn’t just a successful renovation if I pull this off; it’s proof that I didn’t make the wrong choice when I didn’t go down the corporate path and chose to follow my heart.
It’s proof that I can build something solid enough to be able to stand on my own.
That’s actually what’s at stake.
Not the house.
Me.
“And if you need a place to hide from the cameras, we’ve got you,” Blair chimes in.
I blink, gaze bouncing between the two of them. “But you barely know me.”
“Town rule.” Lily shrugs. “If you stay here, even for a short period, you’re one of us. Which means we have your back.”
Some of the tension in my shoulders ease and warmth surges through my chest at the idea of a friendship blossoming with these two. I don’t really have true, good friends back home. I have the type of friends who reach out when they need something from me. When they need help with refinishing a dresser, or questions about how I got a particular brand deal online. Other than that, I never hear from them. And it hurts. It really fucking hurts to feel like you don’t have anyone.
A smile crests my lips. “Thank you.”
Lily reaches into her back pocket, pulling out her cell phone. “Here, put your number in and I’ll text you so you have mine.”
“Send it to me, too, Lil,” Blair says, leaning over her shoulder before looking at me. “I was once the out-of-towner here too. We have to stick together.” She smiles brightly.
Normally, I’d hesitate. I’d tell myself it’s too soon to trust people who feel this kind so quickly. But coming here already meant saying yes to something out of the ordinary for me. So I push past the instinct to keep my life small and type my number in her phone before handing it back to her.
“Have the best first day filming, girl,” Lily says with a wave. “You’re going to do amazing.”
“Agreed,” Blair says with a curt nod.
“Thank you,” I say, smiling as I turn and leave the bakery.
When I step onto the sidewalk again, I breathe in the mountain air.
I still don’t know for sure if I’m about to change my life.
But I do know I’m ready to try.
EPISODE ONE
BACK TO THE FOUNDATION
Welcometo season seven ofNailed It or Failed It.
