Pink rose to the apples of her cheeks. “I’m taking an online class in video editing.”
“Really? That’s great.”
“I thought I might be able to help Toby out, and maybe we could start a company. He’s so talented. He should do more than just edit your videos.”
I tried not to take her words as an insult, I knew it wasn’t how she’d intended them, and Tobywascrazy talented. Maybe if he had other clients, there wouldn’t be so much pressure on me to do video after video. He’d texted yesterday, already wanting to know what the plan was for the next one.
“I think that’s a great idea.”
Calla’s brows rose a fraction. “Really? I wasn’t sure if you’d be upset…”
“Not at all. He should expand. I’m sure you guys could get all kinds of gigs around here.”
“I think you’re right. I’m already working on our website.”
I took a sip of my latte. “If you’re good at that kind of thing, you might even think about offering to build people’s websites and create video content for them.”
“That’s a great idea.” Calla typed out something on her computer. “I’m just writing that down.”
The bell over the door sounded, and I glanced up to see Evan Gibbs striding in. His gaze swept over me in a way that had me fighting a shiver.
“Why is that guy suddenly everywhere?” Calla whispered.
“Small town,” I muttered. They were a blessing and a curse. You got a solid, tightly knit community, but it was hard to escape the people you wanted to avoid.
“Hadley,” Aaron called.
“I gotta head out. Let me know if you need any help with the new business. I can give you guys an endorsement if you want.”
“That would be great. Thanks, Hads.”
I gave Calla a little wave and moved to the counter to pick up my burritos and Jones’ coffee. Evan stared at me the whole time, not saying a word.
“Thanks, Aaron,” I said, already turning to leave. I hurried out and tried to shake the creepy-crawly feeling.
Calder seta cup on the coffee table in front of me before easing down beside me on the couch. “This is cup one.”
I grinned at him. “Good to see you making up for disrupting my beauty sleep.”
“I do what I can.” He was quiet for a moment, gaze sweeping over my face. “Any other issues?”
I rolled my eyes. “I promised I’d tell you if there were.”
“Just checking.”
“It’s the internet. It brings out the gross and evil in people.”
Calder leaned back into the couch’s pillows, turning his body so that he was facing me. “So, why do you do it then?”
I glanced around the lounge room. Only McNally was nearby, and he was focused on some sports show doing a breakdown of last night’s baseball game. “There are good people, too. I’ve had little girls message me and tell me that I gave them the courage to take up a sport they never would’ve otherwise. A woman who decided to hike the PCT after her divorce because she saw my series on it. I can connect with people all over the world and share what we love.”
I picked at a piece of lint on my uniform pants. “I needed to feel a little less alone. Like I had a community. My channel gave me that.” At least, it had when it was small. Now, it almost seemed like its own monster.
Calder reached out and squeezed my thigh just above my knee. “I’m sorry you felt alone. Even sorrier that I played a role in it.”
I swallowed against the burn in my throat. I had forgiven Calder a long time ago. I’d had to if I wanted to stay in Birdie’s and Sage’s lives. But just because I’d forgiven, didn’t mean I’d forgotten. That kind of pain carved itself into your bones.
“Have you heard any more from Jackie?”