Chapter 6 #2
Miranda smoothed down the front of her denim apron with its wide front pocket, feeling heat prickling at the base of her neck.
The apron was perfect for storing scissors, tape, and anything she might need to wrap a package or tidy up a section of the store, but she wished she had taken more time to get ready this morning.
She had intended to prep the store and then duck back to her cottage before Jim and Shelby arrived.
Instead, she’d just tied her hair into a messy ponytail and tugged on a T-shirt and a pair of jeans.
“That’s me. Please, come in.” She stepped to the side to make way for Jim, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that her new contact at Voyager Travel was the same guy from the airport. What were the odds?
“I should explain. Your video landed on my desk, and I couldn’t figure out why you looked so familiar until it finally clicked.
” He snapped his fingers. “And then I knew this was fate. You had to be our new influencer. I’ve been hoping to find someone like you for a while.
I’m convinced the internet is ready for more authenticity, and I’m so glad my bosses have given me this assignment to try and prove my theory.
” He paused to open his satchel and removed an old digital point-and-shoot camera.
“The shop is perfect. Do you mind if I take a few shots? I’d love to just chat and get to know you while I take photos.
I’ve found it’s more natural than starting off with a styled photo shoot.
Our goal with this campaign is going to be bringing out the real you. ”
“Not at all.” Miranda fiddled with her ponytail. She preferred to have her hair off her face while she worked, but she was suddenly conscious of her basic long-sleeved white T-shirt and practical tennis shoes. Why hadn’t she at least put on a little lip gloss or mascara?
Jim snapped pictures of the dining area, deli and pastry counter, and the grocery section. “Can I get you in a few of these?”
“Uh, sure. What do you want me to do?” Miranda adjusted the buckle on her apron.
This was new territory. She tried to ignore the bubble of nerves in her stomach.
What if this was a mistake? The main reason she agreed to any of this was Pete and Elise.
They were so excited for her. It was hard not to get caught up in their enthusiasm, but now that reality was sinking in, Miranda wasn’t so sure.
She wasn’t an influencer. She didn’t know how to pose or whether she had a good side or an angle that would best reflect her.
“Just do what you normally would do,” Jim said, gesturing toward the shop with his free hand. “I’m guessing you’re getting ready to open?”
“Yes. That’s right. We open at nine a.m.” Miranda hated that she sounded so formal.
“Good. Do what you need to do, and I’ll stay out of your way.” Jim set his satchel on one of the dining tables. He seemed perfectly at home already. This sort of thing was probably second nature to him, but it was all brand-new to her.
“Okay. Great.” Miranda tried not to clench her jaw too tightly as she moved behind the counter to start a fresh pot of coffee. Easier said than done. How was she supposed to act normally with a camera aimed at her face? She was also struggling to take him seriously with the coffee-stained shirt.
“You’ve owned the store for a while now,” Jim said as he rested the camera on top of the case to get a shot of Miranda scooping ground beans from the ceramic canister. “Has it always been this charming? I was picturing a grocery store, but this is so much more.”
“Yeah, the bones of the shop have been the same since my parents first bought it in the early 1960s,” Miranda replied, unsure whether she should look directly at the camera or keep her focus on the coffee.
She decided on the coffee. Every time she met Jim’s gaze, she felt like the floor was moving beneath her feet.
“And when did you take over?” Jim asked. His eyes held a natural warmth and curiosity. He gave her his full attention, like talking about the Green Grocer was the most compelling thing to him.
“My brother and I always worked at the store when we were young. It’s as much a part of me as anything.
” She filled the coffee maker with water.
“We both started taking on bigger roles as they got older, and then they decided they were ready to retire, so we bought them out. They live in a retirement village not far from here, and my brother moved to Florida, so now it’s me. ”
“And your kids, right?” Jim moved to the opposite side of the deli case and clicked off more pictures.
Miranda felt like he was her personal paparazzi.
She brushed a strand of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail from her eye and adjusted the brew settings.
“My son, Pete, and my niece, Elise, both help. Pete works remotely for a tech company, so he’s in the store on weekends and handles much of the backend work for our inventory and checkout systems. Elise is working at the store full-time these days.
She’s taken over our social media and events, which is wonderful because that’s not my skill set.
I think you’ve been in contact with her? ”
Jim paused his impromptu photo shoot. “She’s fantastic. She definitely has your back. I’ve worked in the travel industry for my entire career, and I’ve rarely had reps from our top advertisers negotiate as hard as Elise. Very impressive.”
Miranda smiled. Some of the tension was starting to fade away. Jim was easy to talk to, and anyone who was impressed with her niece was a green flag in her book.
“I have to admit that I’m your biggest fan,” Jim continued, giving her a sidelong glance.
“When I saw your Catalina Island video, I was gobsmacked. I mean, you can’t deny that the universe had bigger plans to bring us together.
First, the airport run-in, then your video appeared in my inbox, like divine intervention.
I’d already been working on a pitch to bring in someone like you, and then boom!
” He flexed both hands next to his forehead as if to say mind blown. “You are a natural. Pure gold.”
Heat rushed up Miranda’s neck. She could feel her cheeks starting to turn red. Also, who said “gobsmacked”? “I don’t feel like a natural.” Miranda removed parchment paper from some of the deli trays. “I’m still a little unsure about all of this.” She swept her hand toward his camera.
“I get it. I do.” Jim nodded. His kind eyes crinkled as he put the camera away with a knowing smile.
“That’s why you’re so good. You’re not trying.
You’re not faking it. You’re authentic. People are craving authenticity and real connection these days.
That’s what we want from you. That’s why you’re going to be the next Voyager Travel star, Miranda Brown.
Mark my words. We’re going to make you a household name. ”
“Uh, I’m not sure I want to be a household name.” Miranda winced as she shook her head. Was it too late to backout?
“No, no, in a good way. I promise. I’ll take the best care of you.” His voice was soft and tender, like he meant every word of it. “Think of me as your partner and friend. We’re going to do this together. I’ll be with you every step of the way for anything you need, okay?”
“Okay.” Miranda forced a grin. She didn’t know whether she was in over her head.
But there was one part of this undertaking that didn’t sound so bad at the moment, and that was spending more time with Jim.
This gorgeous, kind, funny man had stumbled into her shop wearing the shirt that she’d ruined last week.
It was confusing, strange, and exciting all at once.
She shook her head, ignoring the buzzy feeling filling her chest. She wasn’t used to feeling this flustered. Surely it was just the absurdity of the situation. Jim might think she was a natural, but she didn’t agree. She had a lot to learn and no time to second-guess whether this was a bad idea.