Page 79 of Flippin' Cowboy
It was turning out to be another miserable day on the job.
She was currently sitting in Karla’s trailer, filming the humiliating segment where she pretended that she and Nick couldn’t decide what to do with the house’s original library and needed to contact her old partner Geoff for his advice and help.
At least Nick wasn’t there. That was a relief. She wasn’t feeling up to wranglingtwojerks in one morning.
This initial segment of introducing her ex into The Soiled Dove Inn project involved a fake video conference where Geoff expressed enthusiasm about Winnie’s new project in her hometown, and suggested turning the library into a small bar area for the new hotel.
“It’ll be an updated yet historically evocative homage to the building’s original purpose as a saloon,” he declared in his usual grandiloquent way. “If you send me the library’s measurements, I’ll see if I can source an antique bar from the 1880s or 1890s.”
Winnie forced herself to fake enthusiasm. “Turn the library into a bar? That’s a great idea, Geoff! I’m so glad that Nick and I decided to ask for your advice. Do you think you’ll have some time to come out here to Montana and design this new bar area for us?”
“I’m sure I can make room in my schedule for an old friend,” Geoff said.
Winnie gritted her teeth at his smarmy tone but didn’t let her smile falter. She was aprofessional, dammit!
“I can’t wait to work with you again, Winnie. See you soon!” Geoff finished and signed off.
“Cut!” announced Karla.
Relieved to be done dealing with her ex for now, Winnie sat back in her chair.
“Please tell me we won’t have to reshoot any of that,” she begged.
“I think we got what we needed in one take,” Karla assured her.
“I want you to know,” Winnie told her. “Once this entire ordeal ends, there’s no way in hell I’m ever working with Geoff again on another project, no matter how much Donna or any of the network’s other execs want me to.”
“I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that,” Karla assured her, dropping into the chair next to Winnie’s. “Geoff doesn’t have a snowflake’s chance in hell of getting his own show without you or another big-name celebrity flipper attached to the project. I’m willing to bet that helping you guys on this project is going to be his last hurrah.”
“If only,” Winnie said.
“And Autumn tells me that ever since Melanie filed for an annulment, public opinion has turned against Geoff on social media. No one believes his version of events anymore. Even better, look at this.” She handed Winnie her tablet. “These are our overnight numbers for the premiere ofReviving Snowberry Springs. I think it’s safe to say we have a hit so far.”
Winnie’s eyes widened as she saw the bar graph. “Wow. Your marketing really paid off!”
“It helps that you and Nick have sizzling chemistry on-screen,” Karla said. She patted Winnie’s arm. “How are things going with him? Has he forgiven us yet?”
“Are you kidding?” Winnie gave a brief, bitter chuckle. “That man is a champion grudge holder. He still hasn’t forgiven Geoff for painting some antique paneling in the first season ofRestoring Seattle.”
“I remember,” Karla said dryly.
Winnie sighed. In the three days since their big fight, Nick had been avoiding her when they weren’t filming together.
“Has he talked to you about what happened?” Karla asked.
Winnie shook her head.
“Can I offer you some advice?” Karla asked, her tone filled with sympathy. “Even if your heart is bleeding right now… clear the air. Maybe things between you aren’t as broken as you think they are.”
Winnie’s eyes widened. “You’ve talked to him about this,” she accused.
“Maybe,” Karla hedged. “But I need to know that whatever’s going on in your personal lives, you two can continue to worktogether.” She shrugged. “All I’m saying is… maybe his pride is getting in the way. Maybe you need to make the first move.”
“Maybe,” Winnie echoed. “Or maybe Nick’s just done with me.” She rose. “I’ve got to go. I still need to talk to the painters about the color scheme for the pavilion’s exterior.”
∞∞∞
Maybe things aren’t as broken as you think.
