Page 48 of As They Are
Comments:
Carly Ware:This is all so dramatic when Jude probably kissed that other girl for a publicity stunt.
Jamie McCullough:She’ll have to say something soon. They should be announcing the reno project for season two any day now.
Kerry Winsor:I happen to know that she’s not in Nashville. We’re supporting her through this difficult time.
Alicia Parrish:Who is WE???? What do you know??
Bethany Perry:I don’t believe you. The show is set in Nashville, and they’re gonna start filming soon. You’re just clout chasing for likes.
Madison climbedout of her blacked-out SUV. She faced the library, taking it in, but didn’t bother removing her sunglasses.
“Well. This is certainly something.”
“It’s massive. Way bigger than the mansion.”
“And not where the show should be set.” A hand landed on her hip. “Still don’t love that.”
“Look at the rest of the town. People will love the charm.”
She slowly turned, lips pursed as she looked at everything else. The potted plants were sprouting new flowers in all kinds of bright colors for the incoming summer season. Most of the buildings looked great, as long as they were open.
“It’s cute, but most of our sponsors are Nashville locals. I made it work, but they’re not thrilled about this.”
Sponsors. Money. I hated to even think about it. But it was the reason I’d signed up to do the show in the first place.
That, and Jude.
“Give me the pitch,” she said. “I wanna know what you’ll tell the cameras about why you like this town and library.”
I nodded, trying to get into character. I explained the history, how it had been here for generations but stayed small, how the library was not only the cornerstone of the town, but the whole county, and everyone here missed it.
When I was done, Madison appraised me.
“Not bad,” she said. “You have that excitement people love. I just wish it wasn’there.”
“Hey,” I said, crossing my arms. “This is someone’s home. They really like their town.”
“And I’m sure it’s great for them, but I also have a business to think about. We need this season to do well. Better than thefirst, even.” Her gaze was back on the library. “Though I’ll admit, this would be a massive transformation. And it would look good to fix something so defunct.”
While Madison inspected every brick of the town library again, I let my gaze roam over the rest of the square. Quickly, I realized that people were watching. Kerry was at the diner, looking at us through the window. Jackie was in her shop doing the same thing.
My spine straightened. I needed to remember who this was for and why I was doing this.
“Can we agree that this is the project for season two?”
“Fine.” She let out a harsh sigh. “If you’re insisting, then we’ll make it work. Even if the inside is completely trashed.”
“It’s not. A ... few people have been in. It’s in need of work, but it’s as solid as the mansion was.”
“All right, but I want your full cooperation. If we’re not in Nashville, then we need everything else to be perfect.”
“Yes. I’ll be present and ready to make this place incredible.” That was what I could promise. The stuff with Jude was something I’d have to make myself do. And I was never good at forcing anything.
Thankfully, she didn’t press for clarification.
“Fine. I’ll track down the owner.”
