I slip on the vest and walk out the front door, meeting the crew. The early-morning air has a damp chill to it. Our breaths are puffing out around us in the misty sunshine as we listen to our director, Steve, explain his plans for filming today. We’ll be starting with off-the-cuff talking heads introducing me and Shelby, giving them a taste of our chemistry. I elbow Shelby.

“You hear that?” I ask, determined to restore some balance. “They think we have chemistry.”

Shelby doesn’t miss a beat, grinning at me conspiratorially. “They’ll learn the truth soon enough.”

Steve exchanges a knowing smile with one of the production assistants and we pretend not to notice like the chemistry-laden professionals we are.

“And then,” he continues, “we’ll get to the initial walk-through. This is where you’ll paint the picture of the planned reno for the audience. We’ll come back and lay down a voice-over and some computer magic on our end after edits. Shelby,” he looks to her. “I’m going to focus on the upstairs here for a bit … I want to hear some of the nitty-gritty on those shelves and why you two are choosing to build the addition rather than tear them down. Go for broke here.”

Shelby glances at me, lowering her voice before she asks, “Are you sure about the addition? It’s not too late to change your mind.”

I nod. “I’m sure.”

“But—”

I cut her off with a finger to her soft lips, before quickly removing it and tucking my hand into my vest pocket, curling it into a fist, feeling branded. “I already modified the plans to accommodate the addition. Worked on it all day yesterday. Your dad has them and is double-checking my figures as we speak. We’re doing the addition.”

Her eyes search for the lie in mine. She won’t find it. The kiss between us may have been a mistake. But that doesn’t change the job, and it doesn’t change my feelings. I can safely say, even if only to myself, that ten years is a long time to care—too long to be crushed by a single night (or three) of fucking up. I said I would do it, and I will.

“Okay,” she says at last.

“Okay.” I turn to Steve. “And then the demo?”

He nods slowly. His expression is unreadable as he studies us. “Yeah.” Whatever has him thinking, he shakes it off. “Yeah, demo this afternoon.” He focuses on me. “That’s your department.”

“Excellent,” I say. “I’ve been looking forward to ripping out those cabinets.”

“I’ve been looking forward to watching,” Shelby quips and turns pink. “I mean, because I hate those cabinets. They’re super gross.”

I smirk, crossing my arms over my chest. Her cheeks are lit up like a Christmas tree as she turns to Steve. “We should get going on those talking heads, I think.”