Page 80 of As They Are
“Yeah, sure. She’s just mad she has to do something for a small town.”
“I’m sure she’ll survive. I’m not gonna let it get me down. Truth be told, I’m a little excited about today. It’s nice to have some attention coming to the town. Think we’ll get tourists?”
“Probably a few,” I replied. “The first episode airs soon.”
“You’ve done a lot for us, and you haven’t even finished the library yet.”
“Some of it was Henry. I’m only making them follow through.”
“It’s more than a lot of people do for a small town like this.”
“You guys took Mollie in. So I owe you.”
“You don’t owe us anything.” She shook her head. “We take care of the people in town. The world is a dark and shitty place. It’s nice to be the light sometimes.”
“Literally,” I said. “The square is absolutely gorgeous at night.”
“It is. I don’t know who keeps up on all of that, but it makes me happy. I come in when they’re just about to turn off in the morning.”
I could see why Mollie stayed here. Anything like that in Nashville was done to attract tourists. This was just here out of love.
“So, kid, how are you?”
I blinked. “Wh-what?”
“Hasn’t anyone asked you that before?”
“Yes, sorry. I’m just not used to people caring to ask.” And certainly not from someone who was old enough to be my parent. The little kid inside of me loved being checked in on. I had never had that before.
“You’ll get a lot of that around here. So?” Tammy looked at me expectantly.
“I’m good. Busy.”
“Henry treating you right?”
“Is there a world where he wouldn’t?”
“Not to my knowledge, but just say the word. Some men get real weird when they get into a relationship.”
Henry did have his moments, but nothing like what she was talking about. He was the perfect boyfriend when he had to be, but avoided me at any other time. I wouldn’t lie and say I wasn’t curious about his life outside of what he showed me, but he’d been clear that it wasn’t my business.
Still, we were friends. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of him.
“Henry’s great,” I said. “I’m lucky to have him.” Tammy hummed and went to say something else, but I saw Henry walking down the sidewalk. “We’ll have to get mics before we come in. Mind if I grab him?”
“Not at all. See you two in a few. You’ll have to tell me how good my acting is.”
Henry made it to me as she went back into the restaurant.
“Hey,” I said. “Ready to get filmed again?”
“As much as I can be.” His voice was muted today, making me wonder if he was as okay with this as he said. I’d asked him if he needed anything or if there was something I could do to help him, but every time, he said no and that I should relax.
But I could tell something was up. He was quiet as our mics were put on.
Jude met us by the door. I wasn’t sure if Madison was aiming for this to be as awkward as possible, but having a meal with my fake boyfriend and fake ex-boyfriend wasn’t high on my list of fun things to do.
The cameras started rolling, and Jude finally turned to me. “I can’t wait to hear more about this town you like so much.”
