Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Very cool.” I turned on the camera I’d just set up, making sure the lens was properly in place and framing the kitchen.
“So, ah, how about you?” he asked me. “Have you always been a camera guy?”
Watching Adam try to make small talk was rapidly becoming one of my favorite things. I could tell that he was struggling to figure out what to say, but the fact that he kept trying so hard to chat with me was adorable.
“I’ve always been into filming things,” I told him. “And really any kind of art. I didn’t think I’d end up on a home renovation show, that’s for sure.”
“What did you think you’d be doing instead?”
“I always thought I’d end up making art films, indie movies. Maybe even music videos,” I told him. “I’m an art school dropout. But I happened to know my way around a good camera, so when I interviewed for this film crew, they took a chance on me. I fucking love my job now, no matter how long the hours are.”
“Crunching math seems a lot easier to me than what you do,” he said, giving me a little smile.
“It’s unlike anything I’ve done before,” I said. “Before-and-after shots are fun to frame. Demolition day is always a blast, when I get to film the Fixer Brothers taking a sledgehammer to cabinets and drywall. It’s like capturing controlled destruction.”
“It’s always my favorite part to watch on TV, too,” he said.
“I really do love seeing clients’ faces when their renovated spaces are finally revealed, too,” I said. “And the in-between footage. You’ve seen the show, so you know it focuses just as much on the guys’ lives as it does on the renovation projects. These guys are like true friends to me at this point.
“So you’re a talented artist, and you’re great with people,” he said. “Pretty much the opposite of me.”
“I think you’re better with people than you realize, Adam,” I told him. “I’ve been loving talking to you this morning.”
The blush appeared on his cheeks again and I couldn’t help but get some satisfaction out of it.
I moved back to the kitchen counter, glancing over a stack of papers near the edge.
“Oh. Sorry,” Adam said. “I meant to move those.”
On the top of the pile was the Jade River Town Weekly, the short newspaper that our tiny mountain town published and sent out every week. In the small section that listed the movies showing in the local theater, Adam had circled the showtime for Alien.
“Do you like that movie?” I asked him.
“I love it,” he said. “One of my favorite sci-fi movies.”
“I fucking love sci-fi movies,” I said. “I like all sorts of movies, but Alien is a cinematography inspiration for me. I also love Planet of the Vampires, which is a cheesy film that came before it that people say inspired Ridley Scott.”
“You like Planet of the Vampires?” Adam asked, his eyes going wide. “Most people have never heard of that movie.”
“You’ve seen it?” I asked, incredulous.
“I re-watched it just a couple of months ago,” Adam said. “Like I said, I’m kind of a sci-fi nerd. Which is embarrassing to admit, but it’s true.”
“Nothing embarrassing about that at all,” I said.
I felt like someone had just popped me into some alternate universe. Not only was Adam actually even hotter in real life, he was also smart, shy, and really cool, apparently.
I flirted with hot guys all the time, but this was something completely different. I felt like I wanted to drag Adam to the side and spend a few hours talking to him, not just drag him off to my bed. That was a strange feeling.
“I’m going to go see that showing of Alien at the theater with a couple friends this weekend, if you want to join us,” I offered.
He cleared his throat. “Oh. Wow. I usually go to movies alone. And I’m not sure if I’ll need to catch up on work this weekend.”
I gave him a polite nod. “I get it. Introverts gotta introvert, sometimes. No pressure. Say hi to me if you do see me there, though? Promise I’ll share some Junior Mints.”
“I think we need to start rolling cameras,” Flynn, our director, called out as he came in holding one of our huge Red camera rigs. “Chase, you have your shots set up?”
I’d almost forgotten I was here to actually do a job.
“Yes. I’ve got the perfect wide angle over here,” I told Flynn. “Ready whenever you are.”
Carla appeared at Adam’s side. “Let’s get you over here in front of Chase’s camera for one minute. I’m going to put a bit of powder on your face for the cameras, because the lights can be intense on the skin.”
Carla moved him a few feet to one side until he was perfectly centered in front of my camera. While she pulled at his shirt and fussed over details, Adam looked up at me.