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  Ignoring him, Carl clapped his hands together, grabbing everyone’s attention. “I think we’re all here now, so let’s get started. Welcome to day one of Impact Load. Our new show features the lovely Sophia Holbrook as our lead designer and Fynn Babineau as our contractor. Brian Merrick on my far left is our director.”

  The next part of the meeting was led by Tamara, dissolving into discussion of shooting and work schedules, timelines and budgets. Tamara sounded as though she’d been doing this her entire life rather than for only a year. I hadn’t seen her earn that much respect that quickly before. It was amazing.

  “Thank you, Tamara.” Carl’s smile widened. “Having you in charge of the financials from the design end has me confident that everything will stay well on track. And now I think it’s time we hear from our cohost and lead designer, Sophia.”

  My legs wobbled a bit as I stood. “Thank you. I know I’m new to the reality TV world, but I want you all to know that I plan to give this project my all.”

  Most of the people looking at me wore a vacant expression. I prayed that was due to the early hour and not a testament of how bored they were. If only they knew how important this project was to me, they’d understand how hard I would work.”

  Well then, girl, tell them.

  “Trinity House is an extra-special place to me. Not only did my mom work here for a number of years, but early in my life, we lived in this house together. I know every nook and cranny of this place. I could probably even tell you stories about where some of the holes in those walls came from. This project isn’t so much about designing a new building, but creating a new home for women and children who have no place else to go.”

  At some point my nerves slipped away and I ran with my new role as host. The longer I spoke, the more the people around the tables lost the look of bored dismissal and started nodding with appreciation. “I know your passion for building quality homes is only rivaled by your passion for helping. By being a part of this project, you’ll be touching the lives of countless individuals, now and for years to come.” Yes! I was rocking it!

  “The one thing I want everyone to keep in mind is that Trinity House is more than an old rundown dump we’re trying to bring some life back to.” I made sure to meet the gaze of each person there. “This will be the one place these women and children will be able to count on. We need to make it special. They deserve to have that after everything else they’ve gone through. It’s our chance to show them that there are people out there who care about what happens to them.”

  In a blink the crew started applauding and I knew I wore a grin a mile wide. It was the most perfect moment, one that wouldn’t have gone better if I’d written it and cued the crowd to cheer myself.

  It took me a minute to realize that there was a young guy holding a video camera standing in the back of the room. He gave me a thumbs-up when I stared a few moments too long before calling out, “I got it, boss.” Then as suddenly as everything started, the entire room went silent.

  What the hell...

  “Well done.” Carl leaned back against his seat. “Maybe we don’t need to worry about a script after all. That was better than I assumed you’d be able to manage.”

  “What?” I sunk back into her chair, my stomach churning. “I didn’t plan that. It just...came out.”

  “That’s what makes it great, kid.” Carl clapped once more. “Okay, now that we’ve done our intro, it’s time to get to work. Everyone knows what’s expected of them. The next few days better go without a hitch if we want to get on track for the first milestone.”

  The group eventually broke up, but I didn’t have the strength to get up. Tamara started to come over, but she was intercepted by a small group of people. She looked helplessly at me and mouthed accountants, before they guided her out of the room.

  Fynn cleared his throat, and it was only then that I realized he was still there. God, I must look like some posturing idiot to him. Before I could say anything in my own defense, he turned to face me.

  “I’m going to give you a little friendly advice.” His voice was low and gravelly, as though he hadn’t spoken in years instead of minutes. “I’m telling you this because you haven’t been around much and I get the impression you actually care about your job and what you’re doing here.”

  I tried to speak, but Fynn held up his hand, silencing me.

  “Carl’s a shark. He will push you as far as he thinks you can go. Then he’ll nudge you some more. Don’t let him do that. Also, this crew won’t respect you until you’ve earned it. They’ll do what you ask, but they won’t stop you from shooting yourself in the foot.”

  I nodded. Maybe Tamara was right after all and this was way more than I could handle right out of the gate. The entire team thought I’d planned that moment, rather than speaking from my heart.

  Great. “How do I earn their respect?”

  “Know your shit. Don’t jerk people around. Be up front. Treat people like the professionals they are.”

  “Simple as that?”

  “Yes.” He got to his feet and started to follow where the others had gone.

  “Fynn?”

  “Yeah?”

  “How do I win you over?”

  With a final look over his shoulder, he gave his head a small shake and smiled sadly.

  I sat there for a long time after he left, trying to hold back the tears, wondering if it was too late to back out.

  Chapter Two

  Day three of shooting completed. We won’t have enough footage for editing until end of week two for first episode. Fynn and Sophia are still stiff when in frame together. Will need to talk to Fynn about not avoiding being filmed—again. On a personal note, was surprised when I met Sophia. Not at all what I’d expected. It’s gotten me thinking about the past.

  —Impact Load Production Notes, Brian Merrick, Director

  “The most important thing to remember if you discover asbestos in your home—don’t try to handle it yourself. Stop your renovation and call in the experts to dispose of it properly. We’ll be halted on the demolition on the second floor until the abatement team finishes up and our crews can get back in safely.”

  I don’t want to say that I was making magic in front of the cameras, but I had grown more comfortable after four days on the job. Half the time I forgot that Matt was trailing around behind me filming until I’d hear a little snort after I’d said something crazy. Not that I had time to worry about him and his snark. So far we’d hit every snag in the road during the demolition phase of the project. Problems might make great television, but they were lousy for the renovation business.

  I caught sight of Tamara coming around the corner. For the three days we’d been filming, I’d barely had the chance to chat with her, let alone any serious one-on-one time. Carl had, for reasons unknown, focused on Tamara, monopolizing her time whenever he was on site. I thought he had a bit of a crush on her, even if he wasn’t exactly her type. Thankfully, he was back at the office today, which meant we could have some girl time.

  Letting the level I’d been carrying around for a long-forgotten reason rest against my shoulder, I kicked my hip to the side and grinned into the camera lens. “I think it might be time for us to hunt down Fynn and find out how the demo of the first-floor addition is going.”

  “And cut.” Matt poked his head up from behind the camera after calling the scene. “Awesome, Sophia. Brian is going to love that for the next segment.”

  “Thanks. Are you going to find Fynn, or are you still following me?”

  He looked around, but there were only a few people still milling around on site. “What do you have up next?”

  “A quick chat with my business partner. Nothing exciting.”

  “Yeah maybe, unless the boss man wants me doing set shots.” Matt threw the camera over his shoulder and strode off. “I guess I’ll track down Brian and see what he wants me to do next.”

  The sound of the table saws could have been a choir of angels. I
was free! At least long enough for me to get a coffee. I jogged over to Tamara, whose grin grew the closer I got.

  “Goddamn, girl.” She gave me a hug, sighing by my ear. “I told you this was going to be insane.”

  “But you didn’t tell me I’d lose sleep.”

  “I totally did.”

  “Bitch, why didn’t you make me listen?” I laughed and gave her another hug.

  “Because you’re a stubborn jerk.” She finally pulled back and gave me a good once-over. “You need a coffee.”

  “Yes please. A boatload.”

  Tamara and I had only been friends for the past six years, but as far as I was concerned we’d been separated at birth. She was the sister I’d never had. Other than my mom, she was the only one who seemed to understand where I was coming from. Hell, she always seemed to know what I needed before I did, which was creepy and awesome all at once.

  We walked down the street to the small coffee shop that kept the subdivision well caffeinated. She didn’t say anything for a few moments, not until we crossed the street and started into the store.

  “So how’s the design implementation coming? You get everything worked out with the crew?”

  I didn’t mean to groan quite so loudly, but the damn thing just slipped out. “I’m pretty sure I’m screwing at least half of this up, and I’m never sure which half.”

  “Hon, it’s only day three. There’s no way you could have been that terrible.”

  “Most of the crew won’t talk to me when the camera isn’t on us. I think they’re waiting for me to fall. And don’t get me started on Fynn.”

  Tamara half turned to face me as we waiting in line. “I don’t think it’s anything you’ve done. You know his history.”

  After Carl’s little bullying session, I’d made a point of refreshing my memory on what had happened. Yes, the designer of a previous project had sued him and nearly destroyed his business. But that wasn’t my fault. I was determined to prove to everyone that I wasn’t some business-hungry chick, looking for my first big kill. As much as I’d tried to kid around with him, engage him in conversation, Fynn held back. And yet, despite this obvious attempt to keep me at arm’s length, I swore sometimes I’d turn just barely fast enough to catch him looking away.

  “Even considering his past, I don’t think he likes me. He won’t stay in the same room as me for more than two minutes.” Though when we had a scene together, his body would inevitably brush against mine. “I can’t help but feel he’s waiting for me to screw up so he can get rid of my sorry ass.”

  “I’ve seen the way he’s been looking at you. I don’t think getting rid of your ass is what he has in mind.”

  My eyes were still bugged out when the barista yelled, “Next!”

  “He does not want to have sex with me.”

  “Have I ever been wrong before?” She gave me the eyebrow and turned to the counter. “Large coffee. Black, one sugar. And she’ll have a large double, double.”

  “And an apple muffin.” Fynn couldn’t be interested in me. Because that would just be good luck I don’t normally possess. “I do like his ass.” The barista paused and stared at me, his eyes going wide. “Not yours, sweetie. Though I’m sure your ass is lovely. I mean Fynn’s.”

  “There’s more to a man than his ass.” Tamara bumped her shoulder against mine.

  “Yes there is.” I grinned and threw her a wink. “His abs.”

  “You’re terrible.”

  The barista returned with our drinks and told us how much we owed.

  “I’ll get that for them,” said a low male voice behind us. Dread really is a feeling that lives in the pit of your stomach. I’ve grown well acquainted with it over the years. So when I turned around and saw Fynn standing two people behind us, I was prepared for the nauseous uncoiling that occurred.

  The barista nodded as he shoved the beverages into our hands and took the order of the woman behind us. Fynn wasn’t smiling.

  Yup, I was so going to be sued.

  Normally, I’d try to talk myself out of whatever mess I found myself in. Nine times out of ten, that didn’t end well for me. Thankfully, Tamara had the presence of mind to grab me by the arm and pull me out of harm’s way.

  “Thanks for the coffee, Mr. Babineau.” She gave him a polite nod as we passed and didn’t stop moving until we were safely on the other side of the door.

  “Oh fuck.” My lungs tightened until air was at a premium. I pulled my arm free from Tamara’s and found the nearest wall to lean against. “I can’t believe he heard that.”

  “You don’t know exactly what he heard.”

  “Enough for him to buy our coffee! I’m so screwed.”

  Tamara crossed her arms, carefully holding her coffee to the side. “You’re making too big a deal out of this.”

  “I was sexualizing my costar! I’m fairly certain that constitutes harassment.”

  “Only if the other person isn’t interested.” She took a sip of her coffee, her gaze slipping to the door. “If we wait here much longer he’ll be coming out.”

  Instead of the panic I’d expected, a shiver of arousal wormed its way through my body.

  Seeing Fynn was quickly turning into a small obsession of mine. Why I was fascinated with the muscles of his forearms as he’d pick up a hammer, or wanted to follow a trickle of sweat down his cheek and throat with my tongue was beyond me. I mean, yes, he was attractive, but I’ve never really been a lust-at-first-sight kind of girl.

  Apparently, there was a first time for everything.

  Time officially ran out on me when the shop door was pushed open and Fynn stepped out with a coffee and a sandwich in hand. He didn’t look surprised to see us still there. Standing with his legs spread slightly, Fynn was clearly a man who was ready to handle the situation.

  Me, I wasn’t so sure I was up for that yet.

  Tamara grinned as she looked between the two of us. “Well, I better get back. Carl wanted to see the revamped design budget by tomorrow morning. I’ll leave the two of you to walk back together.”

  “Traitor.” And I threw her my best evil eye for good measure.

  The little shit waved at me before she turned tail and strode away.

  Which left me standing face-to-face with certain doom. And by certain doom I meant all six feet three inches of an annoyed Fynn. At least I assumed he was annoyed. I didn’t have the proverbial balls to look his way yet.

  I could hear him taking a sip of his coffee as he came closer. The sound of him swallowing did strange things to my insides, including making my nipples hard. Being turned on definitely was not going to help the situation.

  “I haven’t had a chance to speak much with Tamara. She seems like a good type.” Fynn didn’t sound annoyed. I risked looking up at him, which was probably the worst idea I’d ever had.

  The bastard was smirking.

  This was the first time since our meeting outside Trinity House that I got the impression I was seeing the real Fynn behind the wall he’d so prettily constructed. Here was the man I could picture going out for beers with the guys, talking a woman up at a party or stripping down to go for a swim. The skin around his eyes crinkled as he continued to look at me with amusement. I couldn’t figure out why until he licked a spot of coffee off the back of his hand.

  Holy shit-balls, was he flirting?

  “Yeah, Tamara has been keeping pretty busy.”

  He took another sip, this time letting his tongue tease the opening on the plastic lid. “We haven’t had much free time ourselves. I usually take time to get to know the people working with my crew well before we start.”

  “That’s nice.” Nice? God, I was such a dweeb. “Umm...we should probably head back. I know Matt was looking for you.”

  “I’m sure he was.”

  “He’s probably looking for me now, too. Always wants to record what I’m doing. Like anyone is going to care what kind of muffin I’m eating.”

  “You’d be surprised what people will wa
nt to know about you once you’re on TV.”

  I’m not sure if the noise that escaped me was a sob or a squeal, but either way it wasn’t an attractive sound. Fynn broke out in a full-on grin. “You’re right. We should probably get back.”

  We fell naturally into step together, each of us sipping our coffee as we went. I hadn’t a clue if he was feeling as awkward as I was and was waiting for me to break the ice, or if he was simply enjoying this silent form of torture. Either way, I needed to step up and face the music.

  “So how much did you—”

  “All of it.”

  Fuck. “As in...”

  “As in you like my ass. And my abs.” He tried to hide his grin by taking another sip of coffee, but I caught sight of it regardless.

  “Sorry. That was out of line.”

  He turned to face me as soon as we crossed the street. “For a minute I thought you knew I was there and were putting on a show.”

  “Oh, God no!”

  “That lovely blush is the reason why I’m not pissed. I can’t exactly say some of the guys on the crew haven’t been saying similar things about you. But I’ve made sure that they don’t get out of line.”

  “What do you say to them?”

  “I threaten to fire their asses if they don’t smarten the hell up and keep their eyes in their heads.”

  I would have assumed he was simply being a smart boss, ensuring that I was made comfortable on the site, if it wasn’t for the quick pass of his gaze down along my body. A tingle went through me as though it wasn’t his gaze but a caress traveling down my naked skin. Fynn turned and started walking once more, leaving me to catch up.

  “Well, I hope you’ll accept my apology and not encourage Carl to fire my ass.” There were other things Fynn could do to it though. Spank it. Squeeze it. Bite down on it.

  “How about my male ego thanks you and we leave it at that.”

  We walked in silence the rest of the way, but for the first time since I’d met Fynn, it didn’t feel awkward. The second we got back to the site, Matt came jogging over.