Page 44 of For the Cameras

“They’re all great in front of a camera.”

“You asked earlier if we’re looking to take the Fixer Brothers show to the next level,” Emmett offered. “It’s not just the show, it’s Fixer Brothers Construction themselves. I think the Fixer Brothers have the potential to be one of the biggest brands in the country.”

“I agree,” I said automatically. I searched internally for my mom’s wisdom, again:Don’t just say yes or no answers! Ask people questions!“What do you mean, exactly?”

Emmett’s eyes sparkled. “I thinkFixer Brotherscould become a household name. I can see so much more than just bigger construction clients and a TV show. I see potential for branding deals with tool companies, home goods companies, even clothing companies. I could see multiple different TV shows. A TV channel of their own, if they wanted it.”

“So, they could become the next Oprah?”

Emmett let out a hearty laugh, even though this time, I hadn’t even known I was making a joke.

“I was thinking more along the lines of the hosts ofFixer Upper, or the Property Brothers, but sure,” Emmett said. “Theycould be like Oprah, too. Hold on, Adam, I have to ask—is that a Tiffany Pilot House clock?”

I showed Emmett over to the dining area where he’d noticed the old clock that I’d inherited from my grandmother. It was apparently a collectors item, which I hadn’t even known. Emmett told me all about the antiques that he collected, and I was shocked as the next half hour melted away. I’d thought that it would be a juggling act for me to make conversation with Emmett, but he was clearly used to it.

When the construction crew and camera crew showed up out front and started to filter inside, my nerves perked back up again. I turned to see a flash of blue-dyed hair outside and my stomach dropped like I’d missed a step on the stairs.

Shawn and Nathan came in first.

“Emmett,” Shawn said as he came inside. “I didn’t expect you to be here so early. Good morning.”

“It’s a pleasure to be here. Adam’s been showing me around.”

Nathan got caught up in a conversation with Emmett, Shawn took me aside in the hallway.

“I’m so sorry,” Shawn said. “Was Emmett here for very long? Most of these bigwig business types only stop by for ten minutes, but he seems deeply interested.”

“It was okay,” I said. “He was here for a bit, but we got talking about a few things.”

Shawn nodded. “I know you’re not big on chatting with strangers. I apologize, really.”

I was caught off guard. Did Shawn really think I wasthathopeless with talking to new people? I mean, he was right, but a thread of guilt wound itself around me. I didn’t want to be pitied, even if I was open about my social anxiety.

“I was happy to talk to Emmett,” I said, standing up a little straighter. “He seems like a great guy.”

Shawn gave me a nod. “Beautiful. Before we get started for the day, would you mind going out front and giving Chase a hand? He brought in donuts and pastries for everyone.”

“I’m on it.”

But by the time I looped back through the house and got to the front yard, I saw that Emmett had gone out and already offered Chase some help. He was walking alongside Chase, each of them with a stack of pink boxes in their arms.

“Morning, Adam,” Chase said, his eyes landing on me.

“Morning,” I said, squinting in the sun. “Need any more help bringing in boxes?”

“We have it covered now,” Chase said. “Have you met Emmett?”

“Just this morning,” I said, rounding back and holding open the front door for them to walk in.

“Last night, Chase and I were talking about how good the pastries at McKinnon’s are,” Emmett said, flashing me a smile. “Ever been?”

“McKinnon’s?” I asked.

“It’s a little French pastry place hidden away behind the hardware store on Maple Ave,” Chase said. “I can show you sometime.”

As they placed the boxes in the dining room, my head was spinning.

Emmett and Chase had been talking last night? While I’d been at home alone, agonizing over what I’d done at Chase’s apartment, he’d been hanging out with Emmett?

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