Adrian’s eyes dipped in confusion as he turned to scan the room. “Uh, yeah?”
“They’re apparently fans of yours and would really like to take a photo with you,” I admitted reluctantly. “And since we’re waiting on my sister to show up to help us with the filming, now that I can’t hold the camera, you have time.”
He stared at me with incredulity. “You want me to go greet my fans while you sit here and watch?”
I flicked out my fingers and examined my nails as casually as I could. “Your adoring crowd awaits. And if you think I’ll be watching you instead of catching up on work via my phone, you’re sadly mistaken. I have a photo shoot to confirm for tomorrow and a million emails to return.” I waggled my fingers in a “get out of here” motion. “Now, shoo.”
He let out a breath and stood. Within microseconds, he was sporting his toothpaste smile and setting off to charm his fans.
I pulled out my phone to check my email and account balances, but when I heard twin gasps of surprise coming from the family with the girls, I couldn’t help but look up to appreciate how excited they were and pat myself on the back for helping them out.
Adrian introduced himself politely to everyone and chatted for a few minutes, but I was surprised that it was actually the mother and father who stood up and asked if they could give him a hug.
I stared at the scene. What the actual fuck? Were they as starstruck as the teens? This guy wasn’t a psychologist sharing healthy communication habits or a philosopher posting moralistic platitudes. He was a luxury lifestyle persona. His job was literally to sell the fantasy of a richer lifestyle, of wealth and opulence.
Of greed and privilege.
The mother wiped a tear away with a laugh as she took the girls’ phones to take a few pictures.
I couldn’t look away. Who the fuck was Adrian Hayes that he’d had this kind of effect on a random family of tourists in Legacy, Montana?
“For real?” Maya asked with a laugh. I blinked and looked up at her.
“You’re here,” I said stupidly.
“And Mom used to say I was the smart one in the family,” she teased.
I shook my head to clear it. “Thank you for coming. I was, uh… lost in thought about some work stuff.”
Maya looked over at Adrian and back at me, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Work stuff. Right.”
As I scrubbed my face with my hands to keep from snapping at her, she leaned to the side to watch Adrian as he finished up with his adoring fan club.
“God, he’s even cuter in person, isn’t he?” she said on a sigh. “Remember that time I asked you to help me make sugar cookies for Rosie after her favorite horse died?”
I blinked at her, confused about the rapid subject change. “Uh, yeah?”
“I got the idea from a post Adrian did about having a terrible day. Anyway, never mind. Where do you need me?”
Keeping up with the conversational pace of a teenager wasn’t easy at the best of times, and now was definitely not the best of times. I tried to set aside her fangirling and get to work.
And tried not to picture Adrian Hayes having a terrible day.
Or someone comforting him with sugar cookies.
#NeedMoreMen #GossipGirls #IgnoreTheDepth #SoldierOn
5
#FIRSTDATE
ADRIAN
The interiorof the lodge was warm and inviting, with a fire already crackling in the stone fireplace, the scent of chocolate and spices filling the air, and a few groups of people scattered throughout the large area enjoying their treat.
As I returned to my table after talking to the nice family from Virginia, I took another appreciative look around our setting for today’s shoot. The Marian Lodge was unexpectedly breathtaking with its massive antler chandelier hanging from exposed wooden beams, plush leather furniture worn to a butter-soft patina, and vintage ski equipment mounted on the walls as decoration. The place felt like it had a century of stories embedded in its timbers. This wasn’t the manufactured coziness of boutique hotels I usually featured; this was the real deal, with patches of uneven flooring and the occasional draft that spoke of authentic history.
Maddox had nailed the selection of this place for our first shoot. It was perfect.
