Page 27 of Love and Loathing

“You mean to tell me I’ve been dating Caroline all this time and she never told me her cousin wastheCash Evans?” Charlie came over and sat slowly in the armchair next to the couch.

She giggled. “Cousin-in-law. He’s opening a new restaurant in town in July.”

Alex shook his head, as if to clear it of thoughts of briskets, ribs, cornbread, and corn chutney. “Okay, we’re going to include that in the video.”

“Right,” she said, and she handed Charlie the thumb drive. “Should we get going on this?”

He jumped in and got the video ready. Alex took a seat next to her on the couch. His hand nearly was touching hers where it lay between them. She could feel an electric charge bouncing between their pinkies.

She cleared her throat before Charlie started the video. “This is just a short clip to give you an idea of what the end result will be.”

Once he started the video, Charlie slowly backed to the armchair as they saw images of her quaint Swedish-architecture-inspired town and its quaint shops, mixed with views of the wild land, the trails, the twins’ hives, the sun rising over the tulips, the rivers, cowboys driving stock, and more—she even included interviews of a few people talking about how much they loved the town, all to twangy guitar music that she’d found online for the background. It ended with a hero image of the Southern Run at Sunset, and words reading: Harvest Ranch, where life happens in real time.

She’d finished editing it together last night and had watched it several times to make sure it was just right, but she’d watched it with very clinical eyes. Now, she was sitting here with these two powerful men who were so obviously mesmerized, mouths open, eyes wide. Goose bumps rose on her arms. She’d really outdone herself. If she didn’t live in Harvest Ranch, this one ninety-second video would convince her to move here.

The video finished, and the men turned to look at her. “We’ve been here a couple months, and I knew this place was special, but I’ve been missing so much,” Charlie said.

Jessie grinned. “You like it?”

“It was beautiful,” Charlie said. Then he frowned.

She furrowed her brow. That was not the reaction she expected from someone pleased with her work.

“Well,” Alex said, pulling her attention from Charlie. “I guess this means you’re hired.”

She sat up straight. “What?”

Alex grinned. “Welcome to the team.”

She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He reluctantly wrapped his arms around her and hugged back, and that was what brought her back to reality. She pulled back, and he made eye contact. His gaze dropped to her lips and came up again, sending a pleasant tingle down her spine. She stood and retreated, going to Charlie.

He hugged her too. “Congratulations.”

“Okay.” She reluctantly glanced back at Alex. “So how does this work? We haven’t really discussed pay.” She bit her lip and frowned. She probably should’ve asked about that a lot sooner.

“We discussed it and think a fair amount for your skills and for this job would be a flat price of ten thousand dollars.”

Her jaw dropped. “Are you kidding?”

Alex shook his head. “I’m not.”

This job had just changed her life. Now she and Caroline would definitely have enough to move out, and all she’d have to do is film one of her favorite subject matters. It was a dream come true!

“We should all go karaoking this week to celebrate!” Charlie said.

Jessie grinned. “Caroline would love that.”

Alex stood. “Now, I hate to cut the celebration short, but I’ve got to get down to the build site. Can I walk you out?”

Still stunned, she nodded.

He took her all the way to her car, and he even opened her door for her.

She grabbed the frame of the door at the top and forced herself to look him in the eyes. “Thank you. Really. So much.” She giggled. “I’m so getting an éclair for this.”

He placed his hand partially on top of hers. “Jessie, there’s something I want to ask you.”

Her stomach flip-flopped, and she pulled her fingers out from under his—unable to focus with his touch. “Okay.”

---