I’m happy.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
Aloud, I said, “Things are great. Don’t worry, have an amazing honeymoon. Take lots of pictures. Of the scenery!” I added at Stuart’s look of mock alarm.
Rob came up beside me as the car drove off. “Your mom’s all grown up. It’s so hard to watch them leave the nest, huh?”
I poked him. “Don’t be cute. Oh, wait, you can’t help it.”
It was late when we got home, and Happy was beside herself with joy. She pranced around our ankles, begging for belly rubs. Out of habit, I checked around for accidents, though she’d gotten the hang of the dog door weeks ago. Nope, no problems. Rob sat down at the computer to look at his furniture orders.
“Damn. At this rate, I have enough work to keep me half through the winter.”
“In a couple of years, you won’t need to work construction at all. I’m so proud of you.”
He pulled me onto his lap, encircling my waist with one arm. “You did most of it.”
“Bullshit. The internet fell in love with you, not me.”
“Not sure that’s the right word.” But his tone was distracted, so I leaned over to read the message that had him so wide-eyed.
Dear Mr. Conrad,
First, let me say that your house is absolutely fantastic; I especially love the floors, but your furniture designs are impressive and stylish, as well.
I’m with the Hearth & Home Network. If you’re unfamiliar with us, we’re a cable TV station in Toronto that specializes in home improvement programming. One of your fans saw a posting on our site about an open call for a new host, and she sent us a link to your video channel, along with an enthusiastic endorsement. She made it really clear she’d love to see you on TV, and now that I’ve perused your videos, I agree. You have the X factor that should appeal to our target demographic. I’d like to set up a meeting to discuss some mutually beneficial opportunities—at our expense, naturally. If you’re interested, write back at your earliest convenience, and I’ll make the travel arrangements. Please come prepared for a screen test and to brainstorm ideas with our producer. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Annette Caldwell
Rob glanced up at me. “Is this for real?”
Taking the keyboard, I checked a few things in the hidden header data and nodded. “It seems to be. I’ve heard of them.”
“That’s crazy. They want to put me on TV?”
“You should email her,” I said, though inwardly I was freaking out. “At worst, you get a free trip to Canada.”
“Would you go with me, if you can get time off?”
“Sure, if you want me.”
“You’re the one who started all of this. It wouldn’t feel right without you.”
With my help, he drafted a professional-sounding reply, explaining that he had time constraints and it might take a little while for him to free up his schedule. If she truly was interested, I guessed that she’d say “no problem.” And sure enough, by afternoon the next day, she replied, Just let me know when you can make it, and I’ll take it from there. I talked to Davies while Rob made arrangements with his foreman. Avery agreed to house-sit with Happy, which was kind of weird.
We both applied on rush for passports, which took about a week. Way faster than I wanted, we were on a plane to Toronto. Rob paid for my ticket while the network took care of everything for him.
This is exactly the kind of thing that’ll give me a panic attack.
A driver with Rob’s name on an iPad screen was waiting for us at baggage claim. They shook hands, and he explained the plan as he opened the rear door of the Lincoln Town Car. “I’ll wait while you get checked in, and then I’m taking you downtown to meet with Ms. Caldwell.”
“Sounds good,” Rob said.
The back of the Lincoln was completely lux, all leather and automated everything. It had tiny bottles of water, candy and packs of peanuts. If I wasn’t so nervous, I’d sample the fancy European chocolate. But that would probably end in me barfing over the seat, so I sat quietly while Rob talked to the driver, asking questions about Toronto. I’d never noticed it, but away from his family’s scrutiny, he did really well with people.
We pulled up outside a posh high-rise hotel, the sort of place I’d never stayed at in my life. I’d only flown four times in total, and the vacations my mom could afford before I left home didn’t stretch to penthouse suites. A doorman hurried to escort us out of the car, and looking at his uniform, I felt really underdressed in jeans, boots and a faux-leather jacket. Nothing seemed to faze Rob as the valet asked about our luggage.
“Just this,” he said, patting his shoulder bag, “but thanks.”
At reception, everything was already arranged. The girl didn’t even ask for a credit card. She peeked at Rob’s ID and gave him a thousand-watt smile. “You’re on the eleventh floor, and you’ve been granted access to the hospitality suite. It will be down the hall and to the right. From here, the elevators are across the lobby and past the bar. Did you have any questions?”
“No, that’s fine, thanks.” Rob smiled at her, and I swore I heard her heartbeat speed up.
This was...weird. And awful. So much awful. But if I didn’t want Rob to be successful, then I was a horrible person, an anchor around his neck. So I swallowed the bad feelings, pretending I didn’t feel completely invisible. At check-in, the girl didn’t look at me once.
The driver called, “I’ll be in the car, come when you’re ready. They’re waiting for you.”
“Have a wonderful time, Mr. Conrad. Do let me know if there’s anything at all I can do to make your stay more enjoyable.” It wasn’t what she said so much as how she said it.
Fighting the urge to hiss, I followed Rob to the elevator bank and up to our room, which was gorgeous, ultramodern but perfectly furnished. He dropped his bag on the bed and crossed to the window to stare out at the city skyline for a few seconds. When he turned to face me, his face was alight with excitement, eyes as bright as I’d ever seen them.
“Can you believe this?”
“It’s amazing,” I said.
I’d never had to hide how I felt from Rob before. There was nothing good about my mood, but it would be worse to dump all over his enthusiasm. Setting my backpack down, I admired the view, though my heart wasn’t in it. All of the cars passing below only reminded me how many people were all around me, and I might have to talk to them.