Love Lifted Me by Sara Evans

irritating. “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered, then stepped into the shop where the couple from Southern Life stood. “Hi, I’m Max Benson, sorry to make you wait.”
    On top of being calm, he looked like a million bucks in his jeans and white button-down that accented his tan and the hue of his eyes. Jade felt like a muddy heifer next to him.
    â€œEric Potter.” The photographer shook Max’s hand. “This is Raven Winters.”
    â€œI’ve heard about you, Max Benson. My fiancé is a lawyer for Sloan & Mynheir.”
    â€œOut of Atlanta. I’ve gone up against them a few times.”
    â€œSo I’ve been told.” Raven tapped on her smartphone, her tone baiting. “I hear y’all work hard and play dirty.”
    When she looked up, she smirked as if she knew all Max’s secrets. Dread washed over Jade. Was that what the interview was about? Getting at a southern lawyer instead of a southern vintage shop owner? Benson Law constantly declined requested interviews. Did Raven find an end around?
    â€œDirty? No, smart.” Max nodded at her. “No need to play dirty when you’ve got the goods.”
    â€œI heard you just returned from rehab, Max. An affair, drug addiction.” Raven shivered. “Ooh, it’s a John Grisham novel.”
    â€œAren’t you here to talk to my wife? She has an incredible, unique business here.”
    â€œSo she does. So she does.” Raven exhaled a high saucy laugh. “Are we ready to shoot? Jade, why don’t you show us around the shop. I can ask questions while we walk.”
    Jade shoved a wisp of her hair from her eyes with a glance up at Max. His eyes said, “Sorry.”
    â€œThis is the main shop.” Jade moved to the middle of the room where the sunbeams liked to collect.
    Eric aimed his camera and Jade tried to smile with a lively flare, but she felt tiled, off balance.
    â€œMy editor said you and Max are moving?” Raven offered up her digital recorder.
    â€œNot permanently, no.” Jade had called to let them know she would be gone for five months. The editor wanted to go ahead with the story. Now Jade knew why. Southern law scandal was more interesting than old clothes and an Iowa girl. “Max accepted an opportunity in Texas. In here we—”
    â€œIs the move to get away from his bad-boy reputation with drug addiction and women?”
    â€œExcuse me?” Jade confronted Raven. “Bad-boy reputation? Women? I think this interview is over.”
    â€œJade,” Raven condescended with her tone. “I’m trying to get the full story. The readers want to know everything about you and your shop. Max is part of your story. It’s interesting. Our readers will love it. An up-and-coming vintage expert married to a prestigious, scandalous southern lawyer? It’s a soap opera. A Lifetime movie. The fairy tale of a single girl marrying into legal royalty only to face infidelity and drama. Just like the rest of us. Girl, it’s a great angle. My editor loves it.”
    â€œSo that’s what your piece is about? Me and broken fairy tales. To make the rest of the world feel better?” Jade curled her fingers into her palm.
    â€œIt’s about vintage and the people who wear it and sell it. So what if a bit of your backstory hits the pages. Now, what’s back here?” Raven brushed around Jade for the storeroom.
    Jade glanced at Max who stood watch over Asa as he drove his truck along the perimeter of the sun circles. He queried Jade with his expression. What? How can I help?
    Change your last name .
    Jade motioned for him to follow her but his phone rang and he answered, holding up his just-a-minute finger.
    Jade went to the dark storeroom alone. With Raven. “This is our storeroom. I keep all the inventory here, plus upstairs in the loft.”
    â€œIt’s quite large. Where do you get your inventory? Estate sales?