“Good night. See you tomorrow.”
She walked him to the door, sank against it after he left. She was a designer. She’d hurdled about twenty milestones on her professional journey. It couldn’t be real. She had to be dreaming. Looking down at her bedraggled outfit, she snorted with laughter. If she was dreaming, she should have at least dressed herself up.
Punch-drunk with excitement and exhaustion, Grace dragged herself up to bed. Surprisingly, she nodded off without too much tossing and turning. The few times she woke, she was pretty sure she did it with a smile on her face.
21
Mrs. Kern had been cautiously excited for Grace when she shared the news. She also recognized Noah’s and Emily’s names. She put Grace in contact with a contract lawyer she knew through the university. Grace didn’t know how to broach that with Noah, but since he lived and breathed business, it shouldn’t surprise him that she wanted her own eyes on the deal. Grace also needed to figure out how to ask if Noah would give a talk to her class, but that hadn’t stopped her from telling her favorite teacher she’d check.
Showing up at his house later filled her with foreign butterflies. The kind that tumbled and danced with the excitement of the trusted unknown. This was a “win-win” for her; she’d do the spreads, become a famous designer to the stars, or she’d do the spreads, no stars would beat down her door but she’d have transformed Noah’s four-bedroom house into a luxury home. She was going to graduate with the kind of professional experience she’d only ever dreamed of having.
Noah pulled the door open. He was dressed in his usual jeans and a T-shirt, and she wondered, not for the first time, if the wayher heart bounced in his presence would impact her work.You won’t let it.
“Come on in. Emily can’t wait to meet you,” Noah said, gesturing his hand toward the kitchen.
She felt more than heard him following behind her as she traveled toward the voices. In the kitchen, Josh and Emily looked over magazines, their heads bent close. Josh and Rosie had been out once, and her friend was more than a little smitten.
Josh looked up. “Awesome. You’re here. Grace, this is Emily Swanson. Emily, this is Grace Travis, Noah’s designer.”
Emily was the kind of polished that made her a perfect candidate to beonthe glossy pages of a magazine: flawless makeup but a genuine smile that reached her eyes. She extended her perfectly manicured hand, shaking Grace’s hand with obvious enthusiasm.
“I am so excited about this. Noah told me this is your first big job.”
Grace sucked in a breath, put her customer-service smile on, and nodded. “It is. I’m incredibly honored for the opportunity to work with you and your magazine.”
Emily clasped her hands together. A quick scan told Grace that this woman was more in Noah’s social group than her own. Noah might dress casually but there was something about people with money—they exuded a kind of confidence that people scraping to make ends meet didn’t have.
“It’s a dream opportunity for all of us. You get your big break, I’m going to make editor in chief, and Noah is finally going to show his tycoon father that he inherited more than his good looks.”
“Ew,” Noah said, joining them at the counter. “No more comments on my father’s looks or my likeness.” He pointed at Josh. “Put that in the contract.”
Grace smiled at him, thinking that their parents were something else they had in common.
“Let’s get this done so we can get started,” Noah said.
Emily slid the contracts toward Grace. Neither she nor Noah showed any concern when Grace expressed that she planned to run them by her own lawyer. As they went through pages of legalese and expectations, it all began to sink in.
It was a three-issue piece; a story that would include both Grace and Noah’s backgrounds, what they brought to the table, and their intentions. There’d be photos galore plus video footage. Grace made a note to have it added to the contract that she could approve content. The last thing she wanted was to make a fool of herself and have it posted online.
They talked about working around camera crews, and about the magazine paying for part of the remodel, which seemed like a major bonus but was news Noah barely blinked at. He was likely used to perks. Grace would have her own in that she’d be paid by both the magazine and Noah.This is going to set me up for my future.She’d be able to redecorate her own place and afford some of the remodeling she’d planned on putting off.
Noah tipped his head back, laughing at something Emily said. He had such a great laugh. It made her heart squeeze in delight.You’re not here for your heart.She’d spent her life choosing practical over whimsy. What she felt for Noah was just some pent-up attraction. This magazine opportunity was the real thing. The impact on her life could outlast any feelings she had about her neighbor.
“I want to ask some preliminary questions. My intention, when I take over the magazine, is to make it more connectable to the everyday consumer. They buy it for the chance to see inside stars’ homes, maybe do a little DIY that allows them to feel closer to the people they admire. I want our readers to know you two. Know your stories. I want them to take this journey with you, which is why I’ll be fast-tracking the information I get from you both tonight. We’ve got a teaser page set aside for next month’s issue. But promos will go on our website by the end of the week to get people excited. They’ll highlight what we’re doing here.”
“It’s definitely got a reality show vibe,” Josh said. “But in print.”
They stood around the island, lukewarm coffee in their cups, agreeing. Noah’s brows scrunched together. “My brother got caught up in a reality-show-type thing. It’s how he ended up with Everly.”
Grace’s eyes felt like they popped out of her head, cartoon-style. “Why didn’t I piece that together? Oh my goodness. She was the producer that ended up dating listeners. I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection. It was so sweet that they fell for each other.”
“I love that,” Emily said, her voice pitching to a croon level.
Josh’s smile was almost shy. “Glad it worked out for them but I much prefer the classic boy walks into a bar, meets his dream girl, and they live happily ever after.”
Grace smirked, running her finger over the edge of her cup. “Really? I thought you were a fan of next-door neighbor shows up with best friend and charming assistant makes off with said friend leaving me to paint with this guy.” She hooked her thumb at Noah. Emily’s head swiveled between them as Josh’s cheeks turned the color of crisp red apples.
“This,” Emily said, pointing at Grace. “You say what’s on your mind. It’s part of what is going to make this dynamic so fun.”
