Page 81 of Mr. Fixer Upper
It wasn’t that she was a coward, she reminded herself as she straightened her shoulders and headed for the doorman. She just didn’t like drama.
She could do this, damn it. She was a St. James, after all.
“Hi, I’m here for the Welcome Home Network thing,” she said. The doorman in a smart black suit tipped his hat to her in perfect Manhattan fashion and held the door for her.
“Enjoy your evening, Miss.”
In the swank lobby, she discovered a red carpet of sorts set up with a photo station and a network reporter doing live interviews. Fully intent on skipping the fuss, Paige started toward the wall of elevators only to be stopped by a fresh-faced intern with a headset and a clipboard.
“You must be Paige,” he said, smiling with teeth whiter than nature allowed.
“It appears I am,” she said.
“Great. Now you’re just going to have your picture taken there on the WHN backdrop, and then Esme will do a quick thirty second on-camera chat, and then you can go upstairs.”
“I’m not talent,” Paige reminded Toothy. He was adorable and friendly. Just the sort of person she’d want as a PA on a project.
He smiled, unperturbed. “You’re on my photo and interview list, and you look fabulous.”
She certainly did in this dress. And if the network wanted her to play the heartbroken whatever to Meeghan’s heroine, they could admire both of her metaphorical middle fingers.
“What’s your name?” she asked Toothy.
“Bradley.”
“Bradley, you get me through this without looking like an ass, and I may have a use for you in a few months.”
“If you can get me out of carpet arrivals, I will kiss your feet.”
She fished through her clutch for a card. “Email me. I have a project coming up next year that’s going to need a lot of underpaid but enthusiastic people.”
“You’re a goddess. And just so you know, they’re planning to ambush you in the video interview.”
“Bradley, you’re hired.”
Riding the high and ready for battle, she strode over to the photographer and flashed her the power smile, one that vibrated in her bones. A harried looking assistant with a headset then escorted her over to the camera crew. She was in line behind one show host, a popular designer, and the network’s online editor. The host she recognized as a vlogger for the Welcome Home Network’s website. Esme was in full on camera makeup, and her hair had the look and sweep of a fresh blowout. The assistant snuck behind the camera and whispered something to the host, and the woman’s gaze flew to Paige.
Esme waved her forward and Paige shot an uneasy look behind her. “Sorry. Excuse me,” she said, slipping past those ahead of her.
“Paige!” Esme greeted her as if they were long lost friends, and Paige took a moment to desperately miss being behind the camera. “It’s so wonderful to have you here today. Now, you just stand right there exactly like that, and we’ll have you on your way in no time.”
Esme beamed at the camera, and Paige followed suit feeling like her jaw would freeze from the effort.
“I’m here with Paige St. James, field producer and assistant director of everyone’s favorite surprise reno show, Kings of Construction!” Esme announced to the glass lens. “I heard you had some excitement this season.”
Of course she’d heard that. “We had a fantastic season,” Paige said, not taking the bait. “We were fortunate enough to work with some really wonderful families and very talented local contractors. I can’t wait for everyone to see their stories and experience the renovations.”
“You look like you’re all healed up after your on-set accident,” Esme said, flashing her a faux pouty look.
“Some bumps and bruises from a wind storm. No permanent damage.” Inspired, Paige did a slow turn for the camera as if to show she was injury free.
“That dress is stunning,” Esme gushed.
“Thank—”
She was nudged hard from behind into Esme. Turning, she saw Meeghan Traxx, arms akimbo, cleavage erupting from the tight white bodice of her lace up dress. She looked like a prostitute pretending to be a virgin.
“Why don’t you ask her about hersupposedrelationship with Gannon?” Meeghan said, drumming her fingernails on her hips.
