Page 28 of Faking With Mr. Steele
“Thanks for meeting me,” Lindsey says, sliding into the booth.
“Sure, of course. I was surprised to hear from you.” I take a sip, to busy my hands, letting the burn from my tasteless coffee calm my nerves. When she called and said she needed to meet with me, I was shocked to say the least. I’m assuming it’s about Graham.
“I didn’t bring you here to rehash what happened with my brother.” Well, that’s what I get for assuming. Lindsey’s expression is unreadable as she remains quiet, peering at me from over her coffee cup.
“I appreciate that,” I lie, a little disappointed it wasn’t about how he’s pining over me too.
“I don’t know if Graham ever told you, but I’m one of the VPs over at LGC.”
“The shopping channel?” I ask her.
“Yes.” She leans forward, like she has a very important secret for me to hear. “Those soaps you gave me for the kids cleared them right up.” She snaps her finger. “They’re amazing, and I’d like to offer you a contract with us over at LGC.”
My whole world gets turned upside down with just those words. I’m at a complete loss of what to say, but nod, knowing my soap dreams are coming true.
“Yes,” I finally agree after about a minute of awkward nodding and smiling. She must think I’m crazy. Maybe I am.
I can’t wait to tell Graham. And that thought right there knocks me straight out of my happy-fest. There will be no sharing excitement with him.
Lindsey goes over important details while I try desperately to listen and not ask any questions about Graham. It’s nearly impossible, but somehow, I manage.
“I’ll be calling you after the New Year to plan a meeting,” Lindsey says, once everything is squared away. “I have to run and get the girls.”
I hug her, thanking her profusely before saying goodbye. As she leaves, I resist the urge to stop her and ask for one little something about Graham, because as great as this is, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel a little hollow.
Chapter 13
Zoe
One month later
“Have you met Logan Chance?” Hope, the host of “Holidays with Hope,” asks me as the stylist for LGC flatirons her wavy blonde hair into silk. Tonight, I’m her guest for thirty minutes, showcasing all of my soaps. To say I’m nervous is an understatement.
“The owner of this channel? No, not yet. What’s he like?”
“He’s a great guy. It’s funny, he became addicted to a shopping channel and decided one day to buy it. And that’s how LGC was created.”
“Ah. Where does the ‘G’ come from?” I ask, adjusting the red bow tying my shirt together.
“Graham Steele, you must know him. He’s the other owner.”
Just the mention of his name, sets my heart racing. To say I’m not sad about the fact I haven’t seen or heard from Graham would be a lie.
His purchaser, Mark, held up Graham’s end of our bargain, even though I never would have expected that, and I’m currently in production to have my soaps in every cabin of Mountain Goat Resort. I debated whether to accept, but in the end, Mark convinced me by saying Graham really wanted the deal. It feels flat somehow.
“Oh, I didn’t know that,” I finally respond. “I know his sister is a VP. That’s who offered me the deal.”
The producer of the show calls us on set, and everything is pushed out of mind except for the fact I’m about to be on television.
“We’re going to sell the fuck out of your soap,” she assures me, rising from the makeup chair.
“Let’s hope.” I laugh. “No pun intended.”
She cringes, slightly. “Honey, you just leave the funny stuff to me.”
I follow her on set, unable to believe I’m really here. Ever have your life happen in a whir of commotion? That’s how the past month has been. Busy on top of busy, getting ready for LGC to run a Valentine’s Day promotional preorder for my soaps. We have a seat on the white, comfy couch, and I smooth down my black skirt, and take a deep breath.
The cameraman counts down and then the red-light flicks on, showing us we’re live. My heart jumps into my throat, but I keep a smile glued on as Hope does her little intro.