Page 1 of Love in Overtime

CHAPTER 1

COOPER

“How am I going to survive?” I groan, clutching my phone so tightly it might shatter in my hand.

“Cooper, you’ll be fine,” Estelle says, following with her signature high-pitched laugh.

“You’ve been my publicist my whole career. I’d probably be blacklisted by now if it weren’t for you. I wouldn’t be where I am today without your representation.”

This is probably the truth. Estelle Windsor saved my butt more times than I can count. I’m not an easy guy to like, but at least I can admit it. You could say I’m an acquired taste, or so I’ve heard.

“Actually you got where you are because of your skills and hard work,” she assures me. “Just keep doing your job, and I have no doubt all will be well. And Blair is fantastic. She’s the right person to take the reins from me. It’s time for you to spread your wings. And you need someone who isn’t as …”

“Don’t say it again,” I interrupt her. “You’re notold.”

We’ve had this same conversation more times than I can count.

“You got that right,” Estelle exclaims. “But I was going to say you need someone with new ideas and a fresh outlook on where to take your career and your image. I truly believe this change is going to be positive for you.”

I groan. “Is that why you and Blair hatched this plan sending me to a small town off the grid? Do they even have a stoplight in Pine Falls?”

“Maple Falls,” she corrects for the hundredth time.

Maple, pine—does it matter? Those small towns are all the same. Everyone knows everyone, and their personal business. There’s probably one grocery store, a bookstore, and maybe a Waffle House.

“Yeah, yeah,” I retort.

“Cooper, I don’t understand why you’re being so negative about this trip,” she says. “You’ve always been open to helping with charities. And for the next six weeks you get to do what you love and help children. It’s a win for everyone.”

She’s right. Giving back is a huge focus of mine. I didn’t have a supportive family while I was growing up. It was through the kindness of others early on in my life that I’ve been able to achieve so much success. Because of this, I’ve devoted many hours to helping others in need.

“Always—but I didn’t think I would end up going to a remote location in the woods.”

She laughs. “It’s a beautiful place. You might find it quite peaceful and invigorating. Being in nature is good for the soul.”

“That’s your opinion,” I retort. “I don’t do nature. I’m a city boy.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” she says. I can almost hear the eye roll. “I’ve already briefed Blair so she’s aware you might bein one of your moods for the first few days until you get settled. She says she’s not worried about it, but she doesn’t know you like I do.”

I still can’t believe I have to start over with a new publicist. Blair is taking the few clients Estelle still has. She’s cut back a lot in recent years as she’s approached the end of her career. I agreed to go with Blair because Estelle recommended her, and I trust Estelle more than I trust anyone else. Plus I didn’t want to deal with a long arduous search for someone to manage my career—life. This is an accurate description because my career is my life.

Estelle insists Blair is a gem and someone who won’t take my crap. Those were her exact words, and I pretended to be offended, to which Estelle showed no mercy.

So far Blair and I have had some Zoom meetings, and based on those few brief interactions, I can tell she’s more focused and high-energy than Estelle—which means she’s going to keep me on my toes.

Thankfully Estelle graciously agreed to meet us in Maple Falls for a few days as we make the transition. That was after I begged her and then offered to buy her a first-class ticket.

“The flight leaves at six o’clock in the morning. Don’t be late,” Estelle lectures.

“I’m never late,” I remind her.

“I know, but your reluctance to all this change might affect your need for punctuality.”

Ha. She knows me so well. Estelle is like a mother to me, or maybe a bossy aunt, or an annoying sister. So basically—she’s family, theonlyfamily I really have since I don’t have much contact with my mother and stepfather. I’ll never admit to being emotional when I received the news of her retirement. Did I shed a tear? I’ll never tell.

“I’ll be there,” I say defiantly.

After we end the call, I turn on the TV and flip mindlessly through the channels as I zone out.

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