Page 39 of A Fall to Remember

“True. But Voyager has a protocol for sharing.” Shelby had answered questions like this a thousand times. “Everything will go through us. We’ll let you know when and how you can share after we finish our campaign.”

“But you’ll tag my socials, right?” Lacy asked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Isn’t that part of this?”

Shelby flinched internally but tried to keep her face passive. There it was again.

“Probably, but it depends on the campaign.” That was a lie. Of course, the internet would go wild for this story. Not to mention it all tethered together—Miranda, Pete, Lacy, the Fall Harvest Fest. There was no denying that this was a winning combo. It was likely going to skyrocket her career. That was good news. The promotion was within her grasp.

Then why did she feel so bad?

“Oh.” Lacy frowned as she looked at her friends for support. “I thought I would sort of be part of it.”

“And you will be. But Voyager Travel has brand standards. All the content created tonight is the product of Voyager. It’s up to our discretion how we edit and share the footage.” She could hear the irritation in her voice. It wasn’t entirely fair to Lacy. She’d been asked this question dozens of times on other campaigns, but she felt protective of Pete.

“I get it. Where do I sign?” She waved her hand like she wanted to get it over with.

Shelby went over the paperwork and a quick plan of action. There wasn’t time to script anything. They were all going to have to wing it.

“Everyone, if you can find your seats, we’re ready to serve the first course,” the organizer announced over the microphone, dinging her fork against her wine glass to get everyone’s attention.

There was a mad dash to the tables. Elise disappeared, leaving Lacy and Shelby alone.

“You’re right here.” Elise pointed out her chair, quickly grabbing Pete’s blanket and hoodie.

Lacy sat and instantly posed, tilting her hat slightly and raising her chin like she was prepared for a modeling shoot. She crossed one leg over the other and pointed her toes while propping her hands on her knee. “How’s this? I think this is my best angle.”

“No, you don’t need to worry about that,” Shelby said, folding Pete’s blanket on her lap. It smelled like him—like pine and the sea. She had to resist wrapping it around her shoulders and drinking his scent in deeper. “This is meant to be casual. We don’t want to have anything come across as overly staged.” She felt like she was parroting Jim. Maybe they should trade places, and maybe she should have listened to him earlier.

“But everyone knows social is staged,” Lacy said, holding the uncomfortable position. “I’ve dabbled in some modeling. Nothing major. A few local commercials. I do have an audition for a national ad campaign next week, so tonight is great practice. The role is to play the love interest for a toothpaste brand. It’s a first date, and my mouth has to be minty and fresh before our first kiss.” She ran her hand over her lips and flashed Shelby a dazzling smile. “Maybe I’ll have to practice on Pete.”

Shelby burned with rage.

So that was it.

Lacy wanted the exposure.

She was an aspiring actress.

But Pete didn’t know that.

He was in danger of getting his heart broken. Should she kill this? Warn him? How could she warn him without ruining the entire night? She couldn’t risk this going badly, just when she so needed to prove she could deliver.

30

MIRANDA

Miranda couldn’t get over the fact that Jim loved Dogfight. What were the odds they would both enjoy the same semi-obscure Broadway show? Although it did have a cult-like following. Could they have both been at the same show? What if their paths had crossed before? Unlikely, and yet they had so many points of connection.

He felt like an old friend, someone she had known for a lifetime.

Or was she getting swept off her feet by the magic of it all? It was impossible to deny how romantic the evening was with the fields dripping in blushing orange and purple light as the moon began to rise. Intoxicating smells of grilled meats and savory soup wafted through the air as the band played low behind them. The scent of fall mingled with the band’s sweet sounds and happy laughter. The sinking sun cast a rusty tone over the grounds, and the nightly breeze blew in off the ocean, rustling the leaves in the trees like they were waving goodnight.

No, this was definitely romantic.

But there was also no denying the chemistry she felt. It was palpable. Electric. Like if she reached out and touched him, their skin might spark.

And this is his job, Miranda.

She shook her shoulders, trying to shake away images of being wrapped up in his arms or the way his scruffy beard might feel against her cheek. Plus, there was the issue from earlier. She believed him when he said he hadn’t intended for the video to go viral or to put Pete in the middle of it, but she did need to remember why he and Shelby were here.