"I'm negotiating with one of the cable networks for a property renovation show. Only instead of houses we'd be doing commercial real estate. And if the project goes, this would be the first property."
"Oh. Wow. But how do you the show would use The Fix? I mean, maybe the producers would rather do a different kind of business."
"To be honest, I already made the pitch. And they think it's perfect. The location. The look. Even the fact that you'll be doing the calendar contest in the background. All that makes for good television."
Jenna had worked in marketing long enough to know that was true.
"And since it's kind of a test run, you'd get the benefit."
"And the downside?" Jenna asked, since that sounded too good to be true.
"Well, it'll probably be a little crazy for at least a couple of episodes, until we find our groove. So you'd have to put up with that. But The Fix would be the center of the show, so the upside is the free advertising."
Jenna gaped at her. "And all I have to do is say yes?"
"Pretty much. To be brutally honest, the network big wigs have to formally say yes, too. But the producers and executives are pushing it, and it's close to getting a green light."
"Close," Jenna repeated. "You mean they're waiting for a thumbs-up from us? From The Fix, I mean."
"Yup," Brooke said, but then her perky smile faded a little. "Well, actually, Spencer has to sign, too. The network is insisting that it be a couples show, so he'd be my on-camera cohort. But it's a no-brainer. This is exactly the kind of project he's been looking for."
"Spencer?"
"Spencer Dean," Brooke said, in a voice that suggested the name explained everything. "He used to have a similar show," she added, seeing Jenna's blank look. "But he quit about a year ago."
"Now he wants to come back?"
"Oh, yeah. In a big way," Brooke said, her blue eyes wide and innocent. After a moment, she cleared her throat. "So there you go. That's it." Her teeth grazed her lower lip. "What do you think? I realize it's not what you were expecting, but--"
"But it's better," Jenna said firmly. "So long as we'll know within the week, The Fix is totally in."
"I should have talked with you and Brent and Tyree first." Jenna paced the small living room as Reece watched, amused. "Do you think they're going to mind?" she asked. "Do you mind?"
"Why would I mind?"
"A film crew inside The Fix. A reality show. That's just the height of tacky. Have you seen some of the catfights that happen on those shows? And they get into everyone's business. It's personally invasive."
He chuckled, then drew her close. "I promise not to slide into a catfight with you or anybody else. And as for invasive, I think that's more Real Housewives than Austin renovations."
"Maybe." She stopped pacing. "You think?" She sat down on the couch. "I don't know."
He sat on the coffee table across from her, then took her hands. "Is there something else bothering you? Because from where I'm sitting, the possibility of being the featured attraction on a nationwide show about property renovations--especially when those shows are so damn popular--seems like a pretty sweet deal."
"No--yes. I'm tired. Everything just seems so fuzzy today. I think I'm just tired."
He moved beside her, then felt her forehead.
She smiled, just a little. "I'm not sick."
"You don't feel warm," he confirmed, but he couldn't shake the fingers of worry creeping up his spine. Jenna so rarely got sick, but when she did, it was usually something that put her out of commission for weeks. Mono in high school. Pneumonia in college.
"I'm fine," she repeated, and he realized he was still pressing against her forehead. "Just doing too much."
"And you'll make yourself sick if you keep it up."
"Things to do," she said. "And I'll be over the hump soon."
He made a rough noise in the back of his throat, not sure if he was acknowledging the truth of what she said, or dreading that final push. All he knew was that she was fading, and he needed to take care of her. And at the same time, how?