Page 32 of Bargain with the Bachelor
“Sweet.”
He took another drink then focused his attention back on me.
“I can definitely see how it would play out. It’s interesting, might even get picked up by a network. But it would be expensive—film crew, lighting, set decoration, location rental for at least two different houses, wardrobe, makeup, editors. I’m not interested in working on a shoestring budget and turning out a rinky-dink product, so I’d need to find some co-producers and associates to help foot the bill.”
“I’ll pay for it.”
“What?” Hap pressed one finger behind his ear and inclined his head toward me. “Not sure I heard you right.”
“I said I’ll pay for it—everything. Whatever you need, just let me know, and I’ll write the check.”
Hap looked around, as if addressing an audience, though it was just the two of us.
“Those, ladies and gentlemen, are the magic words. And… Action!” He slapped his hands together like a film set clapperboard.
“I’m not joking, Hap. I really want to do this. Soon.”
Getting serious again, Hap studied my face. “What’sreallygoing on? Why the sudden interest in becoming an executive producer? Does this have anything to do with that debutante you’ve been moping around about? You trying to impress her or something?”
“Not exactly.”
I told Hap about my conversation with Kristal earlier tonight, about her need for a place to live and the white lie that had popped, fully formed, out of my mouth when she’d mentioned moving out of state.
“That’s why one of the Tech Houses has to be this one,” I explained.
Hap shook his head, laughing. “Oh man. Most guys, when they want a girl to live with them, buy a ring. You’re gonna underwrite an entire TV show just for the chance to be near her?”
I rubbed my forehead and laughed right along with him. “I know. It sounds a little crazy. But I’ve already told her we’re doing it, and she’s agreed to move in. It would only be for a few weeks. Besides… it’s too soon for a ring. It might scare her off.”
Hap’s laughter increased in volume, and he slapped me on the shoulder.
“Boy… you have got itbad. But why the hell not? Let’s do this thing. Maybe we can put the other house in Boston, so I can drive back and forth easily. I’ll make some calls in the morning.”
Tucker wandered into the kitchen, yawning and stretching, clearly having just woken up and ready to embark on his nocturnal workday.
“What’s going on in here? Oh man, you made tuna?” he said, spotting Hap’s half-eaten sandwich and sounding envious until he noticed the wine. “And paired it with a 2014 Domaine de La Romanée-Conti? What are you thinking?”
At his offended glare, we burst into laughter again.
“We’re celebrating,” Hap said.
“Celebrating what? Another Fortune 500 company sign on?” Tucker asked.
“No. Even better,” I said. “We found Snow White.”
The rest of the guys didn’t find it so amusing.
There were nothing but scowls around the large dining room table the next morning. Even the donuts and assorted pastries I’d provided instead of the healthful breakfast I usually insisted on hadn’t sweetened their moods.
“We don’t need another roommate,” Josh said. “Especially a woman. I won’t be able to walk around in my boxers.”
“We’ve lived together nearly a year, and I’ve never seen you walking around in your boxersonce,” Hap pointed out.
“Yeah, but I might want to at some point. Now I can’t,” Josh complained.
I hadn’t expected back handsprings and Friday Night Lights cheers from Reid, but my grouchy friend’s annoyance seemed to be more with the show than the prospect of a female housemate.
“There are going to be cameras around all the time. I hate cameras. I like my privacy.”
