Page 28 of Flippin' Cowboy
Nick opened his mouth, probably to rebut her. She raised her hand to forestall him.
“And like I just said, it wasn’t my call. I tried to talk Geoff out of it. Really and truly.” Winnie narrowed her eyes at him, daring him to keep going.
In her years of working in construction, she had occasionally wished she could shoot lasers from her eyes, like a superhero. This was one of those times.
Nick’s mouth thinned. Then he surprised her once more. “You’re right,” he said, and turned his hands palms-up. “And I’m sorry I brought it up, especially since it turns out you weren’t the person responsible for that—thatabomination.”
Winnie hesitated. But he seemed sincere. “Apology accepted.”
Nick kept surprising her.
Sure, he was arrogant as hell, but in his shoes, Geoff would have never in a million years have apologized.
Nick twisted around to meet her gaze squarely. His gray eyes were clear and direct. “And I wasn’t putting on an act at dinner, either. I like your family and I really enjoyed the meal. Kegan and I spend a lot of time away from home, working on projects for clients, so we really don’t get home-cooked food very often.”
He extended his hand. “I know we got off on the wrong foot, but do you think we could be friends?”
Winnie stared at him.That was not what I expected him to say.
After a moment, she took his hand. His long fingers enfolded hers in a firm grip. A pleasurable jolt ran up her arm at the contact.
He felt it, too. She saw his eyes dilate and heard him inhale sharply.
He leaned in.
Oh my God, is he going to kiss me?she wondered, her heart suddenly racing. A sharp shiver somewhere on the scale between panicked and excited ran down her spine.
Then one of the PAs, her arms full of equipment, bumped against the back of the sofa. Winnie abruptly returned to her senses and pulled back.
Geez. What was I thinking? And in front of Karla and the entire crew, too?
Nick had the good grace to look disappointed.
Winnie remembered something she’d noticed earlier. She hadn’t intended to say anything, but Nick’s kindness to Autumn, and his apology just now, had changed her mind.
“Hey, there was something I wanted to ask you about,” she said in a low voice, as the crew continued packing up around them. She looked around for Karla and found her producer deep in the discussion with Jake. Good. “Did Karla mention that one reason she chose you was because she was hoping we might argue a lot on camera?”
“What are you trying to say?” he demanded.
“That it looks like you’re being set up as the cantankerous counterpoint to my sunny on-camera persona,” she said, with complete frankness.
His expression immediately darkened, and just like that, Mr. Grumpypants was back.
“Are you telling me that you and Karla didn’tcareabout my historical preservation work?” He sounded incredulous. “And that you guys are seriously setting me up as the villain of your show?”
“No, Karla and I both respect your reputation,” Winnie said, picking her words carefully. “But reality television thrives on conflict. OnRestoring Seattle, Karla chose to focus on the project hiccups and demanding clients as the show’s main conflicts, because Geoff and I usually got along and agreed on our approaches.” She paused. “You and I have, um, adifferentdynamic so far.”
Nick’s mouth twisted and a flush crept up from the knitted collar of his sweater. “Go on,” he said in a stony voice.
“Karla’s just capitalizing on that. And I wanted to give you a heads-up, in case you want to, uh, modify your image,” Winnie continued. “You and Kegan were both really charming at dinner, and I think that’ll play well on camera… if you want to start softening your approach.”
“I amnotcantankerous,” Nick snarled, his tone defensive. “I’m just passionate about doing historical preservationright!” He drew a breath, scowling, then finished with, “I willnotpander to a bunch of people expecting me to be all touchy-feely and shit.”
“I get that,” Winnie assured him. “And I’m not trying to tell you what to do.” Though Nick could probably benefit from her years of television experience. “It was just an observation, that’s all.”
He grunted. “You’re trying to help me? Yeah, okay. Thanks.” He sounded sarcastic rather than grateful.
Winnie shrugged and thought,Oh, well, I tried. Not my fault if Nick becomes the next guy America loves to hate when the show airs.
