It’s not like they’re asking you to put on a striptease for them,” Aaron’s cousin, Teddy, said as he folded his arms on the table and leaned toward Aaron. They sat opposite each other, but Aaron was too busy looking at himself in the small compact mirror Teddy had slid across the table for him to notice. “You look fine. The hair you claim is out of place? I can’t see it, and I’m sitting right here. Some stuffy government official guys aren’t going to notice. I one-hundred percent guarantee you they’re going to be the ones with the frizzy, thin, crazy hair — you know the types. The guys with bald heads and long wispy halos of white hair that seem to defy gravity? That’s what I’m talking about.”

“I’d like to be presentable. It’s kind of a big deal, you know?” Aaron gave up on his fly-aways and set the mirror down. He slid it back across the table to Teddy. “There’s a lot on the line here.”

“If you look at it that way, you’re going to freak yourself out. Look at it this way — okay, yeah, it’s a big deal… but it’s not like you don’t have a career to fall back on if this goes south. If you get this, it’s fantastic. Everyone will be happy, Natalie will throw the biggest party you’ve ever seen to celebrate, and maybe Freddie will feature you on his channel while he bakes you something special for your victory. If you don’t get it, you’re still a successful businessman who’s made a name for himself, and whose services will still be in demand around town. It’s not like the government interview is going to be public knowledge. If they decide they don’t want you for whatever reason, you’re still going to be booked so tight by private events that you’re not going to know what to do with yourself.”

“I guess,” Aaron mumbled, although he wasn’t sure. The interview was a Big Deal, and he had a feeling if he didn’t land it, his enthusiasm would tank. It was what he’d been waiting for, more or less — a chance to take his home business and grow it into something that paid just as well, or even a little better, but that included benefits and would see him retire with cushy investments and good funding. He didn’t want this chance to slip through his fingers. It wasn’t often that a small town like Prescott hired event coordinators, and while he was one of the only event coordinators in town, he knew there would be other candidates from abroad who’d relocate for the chance to live the dream.

His dream.

If he didn’t get it…

“Hey,” Teddy said. He reached across the table and grabbed Aaron’s hand. Aaron blinked and refocused, zeroing in his gaze on Teddy. Teddy smiled at him. He had the same dark hair the rest of the Masterson family, but his facial features were gentler, and his eyes were always kind, even when he looked angry. “Freaking out isn’t going to help you. It’s no big deal, even though it feels like one. Do you need to do some breathing exercises? We could set up a timer on my phone.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I know that your career means a lot to you, but no matter the outcome, I know you’re going to keep accomplishing greatness. You took a tiny start-up and built it into an empire. Can you tell me the last event in the area that wasn’t planned by you?”

“No.”

“Then why are you worrying? You’ve got this. You might not feel like it, but you’re the superstar of Prescott’s event planning world. You call the shots. You’re the man they want, not the other way around. They were the ones who called you asking if you’d like a shot at the position, weren’t they?”

“Yes,” Aaron said, slowly releasing a breath. He didn’t like the way his anxiety tightened his chest. He wasn’t a naturally anxious person, but the situation was getting to him.

“Then you’re fine. They want you. The interview is just a formality.”

Aaron managed to find it in him to chuckle. “You know, you should become a motivational speaker. You’d do great.”

“That sounds like way too much work. I’ll stick to what I’ve got going on and keep cheering you on from the sidelines. It sounds much less intense that way. The last thing I need in my life is tension… just like the last thing you need right now is to get yourself worked up over what’s going to be a slam-dunk of an interview.”

“You’re too sweet.” Aaron grinned at him. He was glad that Teddy had been available to come sit with him at the coffee shop before the interview. He’d needed the company — the pep-talk was an added bonus. “You really think they’re going to be old men with wispy hair, though? That sounds depressing.”

“It’s Prescott,” Teddy said flatly. “We’re not exactly going to have young, hip city officials. We’re lucky to have any city officials at all.”

“That’s why I can’t believe they’re hiring an event planner.” Aaron shook his head slowly. “It’s… I guess I get it. I mean, no town is going to make its way onto the map by doing things the same as they always were. You need excitement to generate interest in any location. That’s kind of rule number one. But… I don’t know. I just hope that I don’t fall flat on my face. I may not have the world riding on this, but the permanent position would be incredible. A government job, a steady paycheck, the benefits…”

“Just keep in mind that if you don’t get it, there will always be other chances,” Teddy said. “I know that Prescott is home, but there are other towns who’ll be looking for event planners. You can sign up for job alert websites. You’re young, you’re single, and you don’t have any kids. Relocation would be easy enough. Ask me how I know. We’ve got the same shitty love-life situation going on, after all. At this point, it might as well be called a love-death. There isn’t any life left in it.”

Aaron gave him a withering look. “And leave everyone behind?”

“We’ll be here when you come back to visit,” Teddy said. “Freddie’s doing well enough now that I’m sure he’d fly you down whenever you want… or he could come up and visit, too. All us cousins will still be here. I don’t think anyone is leaving.”

“Natalie would throw a fit.”

“Natalie is a grown woman, and she can take care of herself.” Teddy smiled. “We all love you, and none of us want to see you go, but if moving is what it takes for you to chase your dreams, then none of us will hold you back. You get that, right? I wish I could convince you that it’s true.”

“No, I know. It’s just…”

“A lot to take in. I know.” They were silent for a second, then Teddy shook his head and laughed gently. “I mean, that’s only if you don’t land this job — which you’re going to.”

“You keep saying that, but I’m not convinced.”

“Doesn’t matter, I am… and if someone believes in it, then it has to be true. At least, theoretically. Or… something.” Teddy snorted. He sipped at the last of his coffee. “You need to get going, don’t you? It’s just about time.”

Aaron glanced at his watch. “Yeah, I do.”

“Good luck in there, champ. You’ve got this.” Teddy winked. “You’re a Masterson. You’re destined for great things. You’ve got this in the bag.”

“If I ever do hit it big, I’m hiring you on as my full-time motivator,” Aaron said. He stood and collected his empty coffee cup. “I’ll text you when I’m out of the interview to let you know how it went.”

“You’d better.”

“If I don’t, assume that I’ve died of embarrassment and shame.”

“I’ll pour a drink out in your honor,” Teddy said with a roll of his eyes. “Now get going. The last thing you want to do is show up late for the interview you’ve been dying to have since you decided you were in the event planning business.”

Aaron nodded. It was time to get going. He’d do fine, or he wouldn’t. Stressing out about it was only going to make him lose his cool.

“See you later, Teddy.”

“Later days,” Teddy said with a small wave of his hand. “You got this, Aaron. I know you do.”

God, I hope you’re right.