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He shakes his head. “No. Today, the girl we picked up, she’s pregnant, and she started crying in the car, thanking us for saving their lives, and it just hit me. It does that. Sometimes I forget what we’re really doing. I get used to the routine and forget that these women’s lives depend on us.”
“I think you’re kind of amazing,” I whisper. “The fact that you don’t see what you’re doing as amazing makes you even more amazing. What made you get involved with this?”
His eyes darken, and he looks away from me. “Personal experience.”
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to…”
His chair slides back, scraping against the floor, cutting me off, and I look up at him. He doesn’t even look at me. “I should get going.”
Without even a glance in my direction, he stomps out of my house with Bear on his heels, and I wonder what the hell I said this time to upset him.
* * * *
I suck in a nervous breath as I climb out of my car and lock it before walking toward the warehouse that Mercedes directed me to. What is with people sending me to places that look like a possible murder scene lately? Maybe I need to rethink the company I keep. My stomach rolls as I think about what’s waiting for me on the other side of the rolling barn door. I stop and lean up against the building, taking a couple of deep breaths, still trying to let this sink in. It’s surreal that millions of people know my name and read my article. I’m not sure that I like it.
Mercedes wanted to strike fast, and it’s still only been two days since I found out about the article going viral. I feel like I haven’t really gotten a chance to stop and consider all the ways my life is going to change in the very near future. Mercedes is determined to make me into a mini star and make the blog even more successful than it already is, and I want that, too, but I’m just not sure I’m ready for anything that comes with that. My phone rings, and I pull it out of my bag, smiling at the caller ID.
“Hey, Gorgeous,” he says as soon as I answer, his deep raspy voice coating me like caramel.
“Hi,” I sigh. Two nights ago, he walked away but he came back last night, and it was like nothing happened. He was sweet and charming, and we had a great time. I could over analyze this but I’ve just decided to go with it.
“Is that how you’re going to greet me every time?”
“Maybe. Are you complaining?”
He laughs, and I can just picture the way his face lights up when he smiles. “No. You may not like what it’s doing to my ego though. Where are you?”
I look over my shoulder at the door and scowl. “This photo shoot. I’m not sure that I’m ready.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know. It still just seems so surreal, and I hate being the center of attention. This photographer is supposed to be one of the best though.”
“Who is it?” he asks.
“Fernando something. I don’t know. He’s friends with Mercedes, and he made room in his schedule for her.”
He doesn’t respond, and I’m just about to ask him if he’s okay when someone taps me on the shoulder.
“Are you Miss James?” the woman asks, and I nod. “We’re ready for you.”
I nod and motion for her to give me a minute before turning away again. “Hey, so I guess I gotta go but I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah, Baby. I’ll stop by.”
A grin stretches across my face when he calls me baby, and a blush rises to my cheeks. “Okay. See you later, then.”
We hang up, and I turn back around, smiling. “Sorry about that.”
She grins and shakes her head, directing me to follow her. “Don’t even worry about it. You’ve got that new relationship glow. I’m a little envious.”
“Well, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m Candace, Nando’s assistant, so I’ll be glued to your side all day. First off we need to get you to hair and make-up, and then we’ll pop over to wardrobe. Sound good?”
I nod dumbly. “Sure.”
She laughs and stops walking to place a hand on my shoulder. “I know it’s kind of overwhelming but just try to relax. Nando really is the best, and he’ll capture who you are if you let him.”
