Page 2 of The Nanny and the Hothead
Moment of truth—describing what she did in this position as actualphotography assistingwas a bit of a stretch.
Still, she was making her way in the industry. She had her foot in the door.
Rah, rah! Go, team, go!
Who was she kidding? The job was the pits!
She stared at her camera bag, and a soothing warmth settled in her chest, edging out the angst and disappointment. She set her gaze on her prized possession—her Nikon camera. She’d scrimped, saved, and even pawned a few things to purchase it. It was a camera that could take her to the next level if only she had the chance.
And she’d be wise to remember that chance may very well come today.
Her pulse quickened. But then she caught sight of a gaudy seashell hair clip tucked beside the camera and frowned.
Do not let that hold you back!
She shook her head and wiped the pout right off her face. She could not let that part of her job get her down. She checked her watch. In less than twenty minutes, she had an appointment at the gallery across the street. She was cutting it close. It was a busy day. She was assisting at an event in less than an hour. But this was the only time she was able to get an appointment at the gallery. And it was a connection worth maintaining. One of her old college professors, Janine Tran, had opened the trendy spot for local artists to showcase their work. And this place attracted buyers—real buyers, ready to throw down cold hard cash. She’d been emailing Professor Tran’s assistant for months, and he’d finally gotten back to her yesterday. The professor had a few minutes free to chat today.
Take it or leave it.
Oh, Charlotte Ames will take it!
This was a big deal. A word from this woman could open doors. And Charlotte had a doozy of a door—a huge opportunity of sorts—she wanted to discuss.
Her life would change today. She could feel it in her bones.
And it wasn’t just her career.
She looked up as an airplane sailed across the sky, and a rush of warmth flooded her body.
An airplane! It was a sign—a silly sign she’d held on to since she was thirteen—but a sign, no less!
Things were looking up in her love life, too. Fine, maybe looking up was pushing it. But it was on a steady trajectory. She’d gone on a lovely date six days ago with a handsome man named Cliff,andshe’d signed up for a speed dating event tonight.
Don’t get the wrong idea. The speed dating thing was a backup.
Yep, she was simply waiting on Cliff to reply to her text. And he would. Surely, he would! She’d listened to him go on and on about BASE jumping. She’d even pretended to enjoy the activity as well. Had she ever BASE jumped before? Heck no! What type of crazy person climbs to the top of a building only to leap off with nothing but a parachute? But she could play the part and tell the guy it was on her bucket list. That comment seemed to have made him happy. Granted, that’s all they’d talked about. But relationships had to start somewhere, right?
Charlotte Ames might not have two nickels to rub together, but she was ready for love. Forget the string of awful exes. Inhale the positive and exhale the negative. That’s what her yoga teaching best friend Libby would say. And it wasn’t just Libby cheering her on. Her friends Penny and Harper were always in her corner.
Her girl squad had her back!
With a fresh surge of resolve, or perhaps it was some residual caffeine from her city-supporting latte, she straightened her shoulders. She studied the kindly gentleman standing in front of her, again noticing the embroidery on his shirt pocket. But she couldn’t let her mind wander. She was a woman on a mission. “I’m going to make things happen today, sir. I’m in control of my destiny. Love will find me. Success is within my grasp!” she affirmed—to the dismay of the man.
“Do you need to take some medication?” he asked, enunciating his words.
Charlotte tucked a lock of auburn hair behind her ear as her cheeks burned. She’d gone full tomato—the terrible predicament of what happened when a redhead was well and truly mortified. “I don’t usually recite affirmations to strangers in public,” she explained, giving the nice man what she hoped wasn’t a serial killer smile.
“Is there someone I can call for you? A friend? Your boyfriend?” the man questioned, looking more concerned by the second.
A boyfriend?
Just as the thought crossed her mind, her phone pinged an incoming text.
That had to be Cliff!
Her positivity was already making things happen.
She shot up to her feet, and the man sprang back.
