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“I’ll take a snack.” He picked up an apple and tossed it in the air.
“Don’t forget your nuts.” I motioned toward the baggies I’d separated out for us to grab and go.
He set down his coffee and grabbed my hips. “I’m nuts?”
“No, silly. The nuts behind you. The ones you eat.” I canted my head. “You might be a little of that kind of nuts too.”
“I can’t believe it.” He swooped down and captured my mouth. “I’ll wait. Even if you get home late.”
“Okay.” I slid my hands up his chest. “Walk me out?”
“And have a pretty lady on my arm? Hell, yes.”
“The manwho was here the other day wouldn’t have anything to do with that bright face, would he?” Hayden gave me a surreptitious smile as I exited the elevator.
I looked down. “Um, yeah.”
We’d parted ways almost a half hour ago, yet I was still giddy just thinking about him. Today of all days and he’d managed to distract me.
“I need to find a roommate like him.” She held open the door for me. “Shadow me this morning. Executives from a cruelty-free product brand will be here soon. They might have something of use for your products.”
“Sure. Let me drop my bag off at my desk.”
“I’m thinking about doing a new feature. One that includes women who are trying and succeeding to do what you do. To do what I’ve done. Something relatable and encouraging. An ‘if I can do it you can too’ message. What do you think?” She stopped walking.
“It could work. Maybe we could test a feature online first to see the response before we put it in the magazine.” I clutched my purse. “Our readers are the type who would like this. They come to us for recommendations, to find out what’s hot. Why wouldn’t they want stories of inspiration?”
She pointed her finger at me. “Yes. I love the idea of putting it on the website first. We have a different kind of reader there, but we won’t find a better test market.”
“How will we find these women? A submission form?”
“I thought we’d start with you.”
“Me?” A knot formed in my throat. “But I’m nobody. Just getting started.”
“This would be a boost.”
I put my hand to my neck. “I appreciate the thought, but I’m not the right person.”
“It doesn’t have to be personal.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t do it.”
I rushed to my cubicle and dumped my bag in my desk. I dabbed my damp eyes with a tissue. No way could I expose myself like that. It was just the opportunity I needed if I wanted to take the makeup line to the next level, but it was one I couldn’t take. Hayden didn’t know the damage it could cause to her magazine. Her brand.
“Baker.” A gentle hand touched my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
At the look of worry on her face, I pulled myself together and turned around. “Exposure like that wouldn’t be great for me.”
Understanding flashed across her features, though no one could truly comprehend how it felt. I was trying to move forward while being held back by the past.
Shoving down my disappointment, I tried to brighten. “Trish might be a better candidate.”
Hayden nodded, though her concern was evident. “Maybe so.” When she looked at me, I was so grateful to have her as a mentor and a friend. “Baker, don’t shut the door on everything. Right now may not be the time, but things could be different down the road.”
I doubted it, but appreciated her sentiment. “I’ll try.”
She gave me a satisfied look. “Let’s get ready for our guests.”
