Hometown Star by Joleen James Page B

little at the thought of Cade critiquing her work. Update This! was her baby and she was more than a little invested in the show.
    In the family room, Trudy, Ron, Star, and Brad crowded onto the two leather sofas. Brad picked up the remote control and turned up the volume.
    Vivienne’s French accent sang from the screen. “The color will make the walls pop,” she said as she removed the lid from a can of paint. “See?” She revealed a beautiful shade of what Star liked to call Sea Blue. “Blue and white looks so fresh and clean. So modern.”
    Vivienne dipped a paintbrush into the can and stroked the color onto the wall.
    “I love that color,” Trudy said in a dreamy voice.
    Star pointed to the TV. “Vivienne can take the most rundown home and turn it into something spectacular. She did the design for Evan’s place.”
    “I’d love for her to get her hands on this house,” Trudy said. “The plumbing leaks. The windows are drafty. The kitchen is hopelessly outdated. Need I continue?”
    Ron laughed. “You’re right. But the place is ours, babe.”
    “She’s hot.” Brad pointed at Vivienne.
    “Who’s hot?” Cade asked as he came into the room.
    “The designer chick on Star’s TV show.” Brad gestured toward the TV.
    Cade glanced at the television with interest. He sat down beside Star and she moved over to make room for him. His thigh pressed to hers, they watched the wrap–up of the newly remodeled home, a seventies ranch–style house.
    “That house was gorgeous, Star,” Trudy said when the show ended. “And you’re right. The designer did stay true to the original vision of the house.”
    “What’s your job exactly?” Cade asked. “You’re not on camera, are you?”
    “No,” Star said. “I’m production. I put the segments together. Make the arrangements. I do all the legwork, book the hotel, the catering, I even scout thrift stores and look for unique places to shop. I also help choose which houses are featured.”
    “What do you look for?” Trudy asked.
    “Good architecture. Good family stories.”
    “What a glamorous job,” Trudy said wistfully.
    “Are you hinting that your life’s not glamorous?” Ron asked with a grin.
    Trudy laughed. “I wouldn’t say my life is glamorous, but I like it just fine.” She reached for Ron’s hand. “I have you. You’re all I want.”
    Envy moved through Star. Until now, she’d never missed having a close relationship with a man, but being here, watching Brandi and Bud, and now, Ron and Trudy, she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have someone care about her that much, to have a partner to help her wade through life.
    “You’re based in Seattle, right?” Ron asked.
    “That’s right. I just bought a brand new condo in the city. My very own dream house.”
    Trudy sighed. “Lucky girl.”
    Yes, lucky girl. Beside her, Cade shifted, the pressure of his thigh to hers increasing. A tiny flutter of sexual awareness sparked inside her.
    Disturbed by her attraction to Cade, she said, “It’s getting late. I should get home.” Star stood, eager to put some distance between herself and Cade.
    “I’ll walk you,” Cade insisted. “It’s not safe this late. There’s a pair of bears in the area. I wouldn’t want you to come upon them alone, especially without your gun.” He winked at her.
    She didn’t want to come upon the bears either. “Okay.” She was pretty sure being alone with him was a bad idea, especially with her wine enhanced feelings, but she ignored the warning voice in her head and said, “Can I help you with anything before I go, Trudy?”
    “I’ll help her,” Ron said, rising. “You two go on.”
    “Good night then.” She waved to Brad. “See you tomorrow?” Brad was coming over tomorrow afternoon to help her move boxes—part of his punishment for getting caught drinking and vandalizing the night before.
    “Yep,” he said, his attention back on the television, his fingers working the