“The moment you showed the entire estate office how well-suited you are to securing artist grants and economic development funds from the government.”

“I suppose there’s that.” She shrugged, but the work had been nothing to scoff at. Perhaps unsurprisingly, movie producing had proven much more complex than she’d realised when she’d made the rash decision to buy Emma’s production rights. The early days had all become a blur in her mind now. She’d had to learn fast, and by “learn” she meant cut deals, make pitches, and call in favours from more than a few personal connections. Even thinking back on it now, her shoulders began to tighten with the fear that she’d missed some minuscule detail or forgotten one of the millions of filing deadlines. And even if things were all sorted for their full production funds, as she’d double-checked a hundred times a day, post-production costs were another matter entirely.

She pinched the bridge of her nose to stem the stress starting to throb there.

Sophia did one better by kissing her cheek softly, then moving back to nip at her earlobe before whispering, “You’ve done everything anyone could ever ask of a producer, including surrounding yourself with an amazing team of people. Trust us not to let you down.”

Her smile returned, both at that thought and at the view spread out before them as they made the wide, arcing curve toward the tiny village of Amberwick. Her heart swelled at the distant sight of people moving busily down on the beach. Not just any people, her people. Their friends and colleagues were already assembling for work, and though she couldn’t make out individual faces among the crowd yet, she knew them all the same. Some had been in her circle of trust for years. Others were new to her life but no less valuable to their shared future. “They are good people, are they not?”

“The best,” Sophia confirmed as Charlie turned onto a sandy road leading to a beach lot. “And you’re good with them.”

She nodded absently, her excitement growing as she started to mentally review all her goals for the day ahead.

“I mean it.” Sophia’s voice took on a serious note that drew Vic’s attention back to her. “The people want to follow you. That’s my favourite part of seeing you in your new role. I love watching you work with your people and seeing how much they believe in you as a leader.”

“They believe in our vision.”

“They believe in the vision you shared with them,” Sophia emphasised as the car come to a stop.

Vic didn’t have any quick comebacks as emotion threatened to overtake her, so she merely opted for one more kiss before they stepped out into a glorious coastal scene.