Page 56 of The Hook Up
“I know what Great Wolf Lodge is,” she said. “It’s that big water park in Washington that I’m always hearing about from other moms. But what’s an RFP?”
“Request for Proposal,” he said. “They want a bid on some video work. TV commercials, some things to embed on their website. Promotional stuff.”
“That sounds exciting.”
“Yeah, it is.” Ty hesitated, and Ellie wondered if he was nervous about something. “I was hoping to submit a rough video with the proposal. Something to give them an idea what we can do.”
“Seems like a smart idea.”
“Yeah. I thought I’d do a little filming at the park. Spend some time checking out the waterslides and pools and things like that.”
Ellie set the timer on the oven, intrigued by the tense edge to Ty’s voice. What was on his mind? “I’ve heard great things about the place,” she said. “That sounds fun.”
“You know what sounds like even more fun?” Ty cleared his throat. “If you and Henry came with me.”
“To Great Wolf Lodge?” Ellie dropped her oven mitt on the floor. Miriam made a halfhearted attempt to grab it, then gave up, resting her juice-filled wineglass on her belly. “That’s a couple of hours away.”
“I think Henry would love it,” Ty continued. “Maybe it would make up for the disappointment over the paycheck thing.”
“That was really a non-issue, Ty.”
He cleared his throat again, and Ellie got the sense he wasn’t convinced. “Well, anyway, I think it would be a kick,” he said. “Now that you’ve mastered your camera shyness, I was hoping you’d let me use you for a little footage.”
“You mean filming us? Henry and me?”
“Yes. Exactly, yes.” His anxiousness made sense now, and something about that charmed her. “It would save me the hassle of hiring models or getting releases signed at the park.”
Ellie stepped back from the oven, not sure how to read his invitation. “So, this is a work trip?”
Miriam quirked an eyebrow at her, but Ellie looked away, doing her best to stay cool. She grabbed a rag from the sink and began wiping down the counter.
“Work and pleasure,” he said. “I don’t meanpleasurepleasure,” he added quickly. “The company offered to comp us one of their Grizzly Bear Suites, so everyone would have a separate bed to themselves. You, Henry, me?—”
He trailed off there, and Ellie smiled because he’d thought this through so thoroughly. “When did you want to go?”
The relief in his voice was practically palpable. “So, you’re up for it?”
“Of course. You’re right; Henry would love it. He’s seen commercials for the place, but I’ve always told him it’s too expensive.”
“Are you free this weekend?”
“I think so,” she said, wondering if she had a bathing suit that would be presentable for something like this. She’d have to go shopping. Henry probably needed new swim trunks, too, and maybe she ought to lose a few pounds before?—
“Ellie?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really excited about taking this trip with you,” he said.
Ellie gripped the phone tighter, grateful he couldn’t see the big, goofy smile plastered on her face. “Me, too.”
They said their good-byes and hung up, with Ellie still grinning like an idiot. The second she set the phone down, Miriam pounced.
“I knew it!” Miriam said.
“What?” Ellie bent to pick up the oven mitt, doing her best to look nonchalant. She went back to wiping a section of counter that was already spotless.
“I knew Ty had a reason for wanting that RFP.” Miriam grinned and popped a carrot stick in her mouth. “He likes you. And Henry, too, of course.”
