Page 12 of While You Were Trending

“No,” Mabel says.

Declan’s eyes drift down my body again.

Shit.

Am I wearing clothes?

If I’m not wearing clothes, I’ll be so mad at myself.

And what the actualhellis up with these goosebumps rising all over my arms and legs?

It’s been too long since I’ve been this drunk.

I can’t remember if this happens on a hangover.

“Freida and Ginny reuniting on camera and vouching for your winery could give your operations an even bigger boost than Declan’s presence alone,” Eddie says. “They got interested at the wedding. It’s a thing that could happen. And ratings would be incredible for a documentary.”

“No,” Mabel repeats. “Our agreement is for Cricket, Dori, and me to appear on camera with Declan, along with any hired field crew who sign releases. We’re not adding to the cast, and we’re not wandering into reality-TV land.”

Cricket joined us as a full-time resident last summer after her viral moment. She has actual camera experience thanks to her years in the news industry, and she’s learning the ropes to manage our fields.

Eddie’s been told that Mabel hired Cricket because of her social media expertise and that everyone who’s working at Makepeace is being asked to learn all of the operations too.

“Ginny, do you like wine?” Eddie asks.

“Stop,” Declan says softly to her.

“It would be great for—” she starts, but he cuts her off again.

“I don’t want Freida Rhodes involved, and there’s no reason to keep Ginny from getting back to her—wherever she needs to go.”

“He doesn’t want me involved either,” I translate for the producer. “He hates me and would rather gnaw on a hockey puck without his teeth than be around me any more than necessary. And that wasbeforeI tried to stop his best friend’s wedding.”

The man has the decency to wince.

He tries to mask it by taking a sip from my mug again, but I saw it.

He winced.

I wish he’d scowl at me.

Instead, he’s giving pity vibes.

That’s worse.

“Again, conflict sells,” Eddie murmurs to Declan.

“Foxy Goes Thereisn’t about conflict,” he replies.

“It could be more colorful.”

Mabel rises. “Freida Rhodes is not welcome here, we’re not adding Ginny to the cast, and you’re in danger of breaking the privacy clause in our contract if you keep pushing this.”

Eddie’s phone rings. She glances at the readout, then rises too. “Excuse me. That’s the director.”

She heads for the back door, the one that goes from the mudroom to outside.

Declan glances at me again.