happen. With my fair skin, any sort of embarrassment was broadcast in HD. But with Jackson’s golden sun-kissed complexion, he had to really turn red before it was evident.
“Good afternoon, ladies. I see you’ve met Jackson Briggs.” Jessa turned to me. “And this is Josie Clarke.”
“And are you two an item?” Mrs. Chen asked.
“Is this the girl you were thinking of when we asked if you were seeing anyone and you didn’t answer?” Mrs. Weathersby added.
“Is this the one that was making you blush when we asked who she was?” Mrs. Dobrinski waggled her brows.
The rapid-fire questions came one after another. I stood, speechless, at a total loss for what to say.
Jessa linked her arms through mine and Jackson’s. “Well, ladies, as much as I’m sure that Jackson and Josie would love to answer all of your questions, we actually have to get going. Mom and Dad are expecting us. Bye!”
Without waiting for the trio’s response, Jessa escorted us to the safety of our rental car and told us she’d meet us at her parents’ house.
On the drive, I went over my notes, but all I really wanted to know was what they’d said to make Jackson blush. Was it really about me, or had they just said that to embarrass him? It was kind of nice to think I had the power to make a grown man blush. Especially if that grown man was Jackson Briggs.
Chapter 23
Jackson
“Life is what you make it, darling, so you might as well make it fun.”
~ Josephine Grace Clarke
I flipped the switch on the mic pack. “Testing. One, two, three. You’re all set, Mrs. Myers.”
“Please, call me Bonnie,” she said for the second time.
It was a tough call. The Southerner in me did not feel comfortable using her first name, but I’d also been raised to respect what people wanted. I smiled and just figured I’d steer clear of using any name at all when addressing her.
Mrs. Myers sat down beside her husband on the impromptu set that Josie had created when we arrived. She’d pulled two of their deck chairs into the living room and borrowed a rug from the dining room. Added three plants and some throw pillows. So besides being on-air talent, and producer, she could also add set-designer to her resume. These past few days, I’d been in constant awe of her ability to make things work with whatever she had.
She truly was the best producer I’d ever worked with, and that had nothing to do with our after-hours activities. She was just an incredible human being.
“I can’t believe you dragged me into this.” I heard Mr. Myers whisper into Mrs. Myers’ ear, a teasing quality to his voice. He hadn’t said it loud enough for anyone to overhear, but since he was mic’d, I was able to.
Mrs. Myers sat up straighter and gave her husband a no-nonsense look. “I didn’t drag you anywhere. I said that I was going to do the interview. You can do whatever you want.”
Mr. Myers’ eyes lit up at her response and he squeezed her knee and leaned closer. “Oh, can I? Can I do whatever I want?”
“Dad. Stop!” Jessa called out from across the room.
“What? I didn’t say anything.” Mr. Myers held up his hands wearing a half-grin on his face.
Jessa rolled her eyes, even as she smiled at her dad.
When I’d told Josie that I’d seen what real love, what true love looked like firsthand growing up, I wasn’t just saying that as a way not to answer the question she’d asked me. My parents had the real deal. So, it was easy for me to spot it. I didn’t have to think about it. I couldn’t give you a list of what to look for, but I knew it when I saw it, and John and Bonnie Myers had it in spades.
It was in the way they looked at one another. The energy around each other. Their body language. There was an indescribable connection that was impossible to put into words but also impossible to miss.
The interview began and I found myself staring at Josie in the monitor. I just couldn’t keep my eyes off of her.
“So how long have you two been married?” Josie began after introducing the couple to the audience.
“Forty-one years.” Bonnie smiled.
“From what I’ve heard, you are the town’s official mascot for hashtag relationship goals. And that’s saying a lot since you live in a town known for its fairytale themes. So that begs the question, do