An Uncertain Affair (The Affair Series Book 2) by Randi Ocean Read Free Book Online Page B

chimed in, “I’m in if Dane is.”
    Her
quick acceptance of the situation completely surprised me. I looked over at
Dane, and he glanced at Valerie for true confirmation, but when she nodded, he
said, “If Val’s okay with it, I guess I can work with that.”
    My
anxiety over the whole conversation sent my speech into overdrive. “I know it
isn’t the ideal situation, and you guys are so great for agreeing to work this
way. I think this book is going to be huge for everyone involved. We can talk
more about it after the shoot today.”
    “Good,”
Dane said, his eyes fixed on Valerie. He walked over to her and put his hands
on her shoulders. “Are you sure about this, Val? You’re my right-hand girl, and
if I need to dig my heels in, I will.”
    “Yes,
I’m sure. We all need this project, and I’m not going to be the one to hold up
the process by being a prima donna. I’m just happy they’ll still let me assist.
Who knows, maybe I’ll learn something,” she said, rolling her eyes with a bit
of sarcasm.
    Dane
hugged her and said, “You’re the best. We’ll talk details and formulate our
‘must have’ list for them after the shoot.” He looked at Valerie and then at me,
and said with a big smile, “Go team!”
    Dane
put on some upbeat music to lighten the mood, and get some energy going. I
could tell Valerie was still a little frustrated, though. Working as the
assistant would be a huge departure for her on so many levels. That kitchen was
her domain. She had spent three years fine-tuning it, and she was used to being
in charge. This arrangement would not be easy for her.
    It
was an enormous relief for me to get that conversation off my plate early in
the day. Valerie was much more of a team player than I’d ever expected. I went
back to my desk to let Sergio know I could indeed be “his hero.”
     
    Hi,
Sergio,
    I
spoke with Dane and Valerie this a.m., and they are open to working with
Nicole. We’re meeting after our shoot today to discuss it further. I’ll be in
touch later with more details.
    Thanks,
    Bridget
     
    Bridget
Stone
    Studio
Manager
    Pratt
Photography
    503-555-2345
     
    I
wanted to add a personal note, but I didn’t know if anyone else could access
his office e-mail. It was way too early in the scheme of things for our love
affair to be common knowledge. He wrote back quickly.
     
    Fantastic
news, Bridget! I am copying Adele here, too, so she can draw up the contract. She’ll
get it over to you tomorrow. I’m so happy to be working with you and Dane on
this. I know it will be amazing.
    Talk
with you later.
    Best,
    Sergio
     
    That
would be the last hurdle. The contract. I’d have to scrutinize the details of
Adele’s terms very carefully. She was a shrewd businesswoman, and I knew Pratt
Photography was not her ideal choice. She could try to structure it in such a
way that we wouldn’t agree to their terms and have to walk away. Undoubtedly,
it would be an extensive legal document with lots of “wherefores” and what-not,
but that’s what lawyers are for - to translate.
    I
was getting in a groove, and it felt really good. Sally Creighton popped into
my head. She was the one who had set up this opportunity for me, and I wanted to
tell her how well it was going. I dialed her number, but I got her voicemail
and left a message.
    “Hi,
Sally. It’s Bridget. I just wanted you to know how great the job with Dane
Pratt is working out. We just landed the gig shooting the food for Sergio
Ramirez’s new book. It’s going to be an amazing project, and I’m just so happy
here. Thanks for all your help and advice. You’re the best. Hope to talk to you
soon. ‘Bye.”
     
    **
     
    The
farmers’ market execs arrived just as I finished setting up a buffet lunch for
everyone. We ate and reviewed the shot list for the afternoon. Dane and Valerie
were totally buttoned up, so the shoot wouldn’t take long.
    Around
three o’clock, I walked back to the studio to see how the shoot was going.