Page 31 of Baby, It’s You (Clairesville #1)

Hunter

B y the time I get back home, I still have a smile on my face.

As soon as I get inside, I begin uploading today’s footage on my computer.

Seeing Olive so excited this morning just makes me want to finish editing the video as quickly as possible.

I need another excuse to film with her and see her again.

She is so effortlessly fun to be around, and I find myself craving her attention.

I really want to spend time with her other than us just working together on the series.

Friends hang out, right? I’m nervous about taking that leap, though; she is obviously very resistant when it comes to trusting men.

That honestly just makes me want to prove myself more to her.

I lie down on my bed and scroll through my unread texts.

It can get overwhelming sometimes, the number of messages I get every day from people wanting me to film them.

Skaters constantly begging me to come to a park and record them, or a brand asking me to shoot sponsored content for their social media.

Last year I started putting my phone on do not disturb most days, for my sanity.

I only look at my phone when I feel ready to respond to people, instead of forgetting the messages and never getting back to them.

I scroll through a few and answer the questions or decline offers.

I see a message from Eddie towards the bottom of the list and tap it.

Wanna go to the lake tomorrow? Invite your girl. We want to get to know her, and we are all bringing some people, so don’t worry, shy guy, it won’t be weird.

Yes, I want to go to the lake, and absolutely, I want to hang out with Olive. I text Eddie back letting him know I will be there. I work up the courage to text Olive. I know it’s a long shot that she can come on such short notice, but I decide to ask her anyway.

Hey, Olive, a couple of my buddies are getting together as a group to go to Onilley Lake tomorrow. Do you want to come with us? I can give you a ride so you don’t have to worry about driving there. Sorry about the short notice.

A few minutes later, I get a response.

Hello, Curls, I am currently covered in trash juice and sweat. Nothing sounds better to me than a day off at the lake. Let me see if Missy might be able to cover for me.

Trash juice? I text her back. Everything okay since I left the bar?

It’s over an hour before she responds.

Sorry to leave you hanging. Long story, but I’m back at work now. Missy said she can cover. Yay!

Hell yeah, I am so excited that she wants to come.

I hope everything is okay, I send and then add , That’s great to hear. I will pick you up outside your place at 9 am if that’s okay with you? I’m going to grab some food to bring, too. What do you want?

Her response chirps on my phone seconds later.

Perfect! I want beef jerky, a Dr. Pepper, and cashews.

I chuckle to myself—the perfect road trip snacks. I meant that I was going to go to the grocery store and get an actual meal to bring for us, but I will grab those for her, as well.

You’ve got it. I’m going to finish editing everything tonight, so it will be done before we leave in the morning.

Olive texts me back an hour later.

That’s great! Sorry I can’t talk anymore; Tripp has been on even more of a tear than usual today.

I wish I knew what he said since he told her they had to talk this morning.

My door nudges open and I see Dog shimmy in, then leap on top of my bed. I pull her into my arms and nuzzle her to my neck. The bell on her collar lightly jingles and she meows. I realize she wants her food, so I get up. As I head downstairs with her in my arms, I daydream about tomorrow.