if you want.”
God, I couldn’t let this happen. My time with Reid had been confusing at best. When I’d walked away from him I’d promised myself I wouldn’t let myself get that wrapped up in anyone again, that I wouldn’t lose myself in another person the way I had with him. Better to treat Reid the same way I treated everyone else on the show, with professional detachment. That way I was sure to get everything done that I’d set out to accomplish, without ruffling any feathers. It had worked on Impact Load, our first reality show, and I knew it would work here.
“I doubt I’ll have time.” I held out my hand and gave him a tight smile. “I’m looking forward to working with you. Thanks again for your moral support on the plane.”
Okay, so maybe I wanted to feel the warmth of his long fingers around mine once again. One last reminder of the serious longing I’d once had for him. I wasn’t let down, as he took it and gave me a squeeze that I felt all the way down to my pussy.
Nothing good would come of this.
He leaned closer, and that smirk of his made me want to suck on his lips. “You can’t fool me with that Ice Queen show. I know you far better than that.” He let his thumb brush across the inside of my wrist.
I pulled away sharply and blindly turned and approached a group of women. Reid’s intense look was too much for me to handle. “Hi, I’m Tamara, one of the judges.” I did not offer to shake anyone’s hand. Because reasons.
A pixie-sized woman with short cropped black hair mirrored back my tight smile. “I’m Jennifer Stewart and this is Rene Matheson.” She touched the shoulder of a tall brunette who looked as though her blue eyes could pierce metal. “We’re your cojudges.”
I knew who they were immediately. Jennifer’s ReDesign Rescue had been one of Reality Life’s top shows for the past three years. Rene had come to the station in the past year, and her show Antique Makeover took off immediately. It was fun and Rene shone on screen.
“It will be pleasant to work with you.” I nodded at each of them before lacing my hands together. “I believe my role is to be the show’s bitch. I’ll be a bit harder on the contestants, pick their designs apart, that sort of thing.”
“Oh, well it’s good that you understand your part.” Jennifer cocked her head and smiled. “You seem like a natural.”
Lady, don’t even go there. “Thank you. I take great pride in doing an excellent job at everything I do. And I’m sure you’ll be good at your role.”
Rene’s mouth fell open for a moment. “I watched Impact Load. I thought they would be sending the other lady, Sophia.”
Sophia would have had them all laughing right now. The mood would be relaxed and easygoing. “Yes, Sophie would have been fantastic. She’s a natural on screen. I had some other business to conduct in New York, so it made more sense to send me.” I smiled, but the strain made my lips twitch.
Relief hit me as Brian called the production meeting to order. For the next two hours I took notes on the shooting schedule, the expectations they had of the judges, while mentally figuring out when I’d have time to finish my proposal and dutifully avoiding Reid’s gaze. It wasn’t until the final few moments that I realized several others had slipped into the back of the room. The meeting was adjourned, but before I could leave Brian grabbed me to introduce the pair I wanted to meet.
“Tamara, this is Mr. Warner and Ms. Young. They are with Reality Life’s management team and mentioned that they wanted to have the chance to talk to you about the design contract.”
My mind raced back over the past hour and I hoped I hadn’t done or said anything that would hurt our chances. “So nice to meet both of you. Mr. Warner, I was planning on visiting you right after we were done here, so I’m thrilled you were able to make it down. I’m looking forward to being able to show you what our company can offer Reality Life on the design front.”
Ms. Young nodded and I could tell I was being sized up. “We were very impressed with what you and Ms. Holbrook did with the shelter up in Toronto. Though I have to admit, I’m concerned that what we have in mind from a corporate perspective might be a bit much for such a small company to take on.”
Rather than feeling intimidated by her comments, my body relaxed and I slipped into the zone. This wasn’t my first time starting out as the underdog and I had no doubt it wouldn’t be my last. I launched into my elevator pitch, outlining the key design points that Sophia had made me memorize before leaving. Short, sweet and a clean enough tease to make sure I had them hooked.
As I spoke, Reid stepped up beside me, which was a challenge to my attention.
“Of course I’ll save the details for our meeting later this week.”
Mr. Warner shook my hand, but his face remained impassive. “There is stiff competition for the contract. We’re looking for someone not only with a solid business plan but excitement for the job.”
“We definitely have that.” I gave him a small smile, but it wasn’t returned.
The air might as well have been sucked from the room as they left. Shit, this was our big opportunity. Yes, business had been better since Impact Load aired, but we were currently getting smaller jobs, nothing that was going to keep us afloat and allow us to grow the business. We needed employees, people who could help Sophia with the hands-on jobs while I worked with the business side. Not to mention our loans were getting close to coming due. We’d taken out a lot of money to help bankroll our setup and the time was coming when we’d have to start making payments.
Brian looked down at his feet. “Well, that could have gone better.”
“I’ve spent a lot of time on this proposal. The numbers will work in our favor.”
“I’m sure you’ll turn it around.” Brian headed toward the door. “Reid, want to grab your camera and meet me downstairs in twenty? We can head over to the site and look at setup shots.”
“Yeah, I have my bag with me. I’ll grab it and meet you down there.” Reid waited for Brian to leave before he said anything else. “That was tense.”
I punched him in the arm. “You’re an asshole.”
“What the hell?” He rubbed the spot where my fist had connected.
“I should ask you the same thing. Were you trying to distract me, coming up beside me like that? We need this contract more than I need to be a judge on the show.”
“Jesus, I didn’t do a thing. Is that why you’re acting like a tight-ass?”
“I’m not a tight-ass.”
Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course not.”
The attraction I’d been feeling for him was starting to wane. “I’m a professional running a business. I’ve grown up. Have you?”
The smile slipped from his face. “Yes.”
“If that’s true, then you should be able to appreciate my position. This is my livelihood. I’m here to do a job and I plan on doing the best possible.”
“You will.” Reid walked past
