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Shit.She was a better person than this. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “If you don’t mind everybody knowing your business and driving thirty minutes to get to the mall, then it’s wonderful. Like anywhere, there are certain areas you want to avoid, but most of the people are great and tourism season keeps things from getting too boring.”

Jazz smiled. “Well, that’s great. Really great.”

Jeannie plastered on a fake smile. “Why, Jazz, are you thinking of moving to our sweet little town?”

“Maybe a little. My family is out in California. I moved to Virginia for law school and stayed after I graduated. All I have there is work, and lately, I haven’t even enjoyed that. It would be silly to stay there if my heart is in Grimm.”

A dagger sliced through Jeannie’s heart.Fuck. Like, fuckity fuck fuck.This woman had real feelings. Of course she did. Who wouldn’t love Al? “I’d be happy to show you around and introduce you to some people.”

“That would be great, thanks. Can I ask another favor?”

“Sure.” What had Jeannie done in a past life to deserve this torture?

“You’ve known Al a long time, right?”

“Yeah, since we were kids. Why? You want to see his embarrassing middle school pics?” Jeannie reached for her phone.

Jazz shook her head. “No, well, actually yeah, but maybe later. I wanted to know from someone who knows him if he’s really here to find love. Why did he resort to a reality dating show to find a partner?”

“Ahhh.” Jeannie bit her lip. “I get it. You’re wondering why this sexy, sweet, amazing, funny, hardworking, compassionate, loyal, man in uniform is still single? Does he have an extra nipple? Eat garlic for breakfast? Sacrifice puppies?”

Jazz chuckled. “Something like that.”

“Well, our town is small. And the women there often don’t see past his good looks or that pussy-getter uniform. Same with the tourists that come to town in the summer. They want their night with the deputy they’ve watched on TV, but they don’t want the real Al. The one who calls me every night to make sure I got home okay. The one who goes with me every month to visit my brother in prison. The one who hosts poker night with the grandpas at the nursing home. Maybe he’s been waiting for someone to see the real him.”

Jazz nodded. “I see.” She stared at Jeannie, then turned away. “Speak of the devil, I think I hear the horse.”

Sure enough, the horse and carriage rounded the corner, finally bringing the date with Iona to an end. As soon as the carriage stopped, Al leaped to the ground, his dress shirt untucked and his hair sticking up in different directions. “Thanks, Iona,” he shouted as he sprinted toward his trailer.

“I guess he’s going to get changed for your date?” Jeannie said to Jazz with a shrug.

Iona stepped down from the carriage, wiping the sides of her mouth with a smirk.

“Have fun, Jazz.” The sound of the trailer door slamming shut echoed across the park. Iona laughed. “He may be afew minutes,” she said with a wink as she sauntered toward the car that would take her back to the hotel.

Jazz bit her bottom lip. “Uh, you don’t think they, uh …”

Jeannie shrugged, her heart dropping in her chest. “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. She’d purposely avoided him since he’d stepped out of that closet. Part of her was afraid of what they might do if they were in the same room again, and that would jeopardize his place on the show. But another part of her, a much bigger part, was afraid that they wouldn’t do anything. That they’d go back to just friends again. Maybe Mercedes had been telling the truth, and Jeannie was another notch as he worked his way through cast and crew.

“Jazz, I need you over here! There’s some paperwork you’ll need to fill out before your date,” Lindsey shouted from across the park.

“Thanks for the chat,” she said as she made her way to the director’s table.

Jeannie tugged at her ponytail, twirling the strands in her fingers. Jazz really liked Al, and Al seemed to like her. He also liked Iona, enough that he couldn’t stop himself from doing something with her on a carriage ride through Central Park. Fortunately, before that image lodged itself into her mind, her phone buzzed.

“Hello, this is Jeannie.”

“Jeannie, darling. It’s Victor. A little birdie told me that filming is almost wrapped up. I know you weren’t planning to leave town without at least giving me a chance to show you how well you’d fit into our company.”

“Oh, well—”

“Jeannie,” he warned, “I’m not used to being turned down. What’s wrong? Was our offer not high enough?”

“No, sir. It was extremely generous.”

It was more than generous. They’d offered her a salary that was three times what she’d made last year, with a commission from her clients on top of that. Then there was the health insurance, a 401K, and an apartment for the first year. For once in her life, she wouldn’t have to hustle. Wouldn’t have to stress about where the next gig would come from. Victor’s company would take care of everything.

“Then what’s the problem? Is there something else keeping you in that little town? Your clients, perhaps?”