Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
He laughed. “Come on, Buzzy my friend, it’s time to go.” He shifted his feet, but the dog only resettled himself. “Okay, okay,” he said, “I’ll walk you to Erin’s car. You don’t have to ask twice.”
Buzzy reluctantly followed Jay as he strode out into the driveway.
At her car, Erin paused at the open door, a thoughtful expression in her eyes. Softly, she said, “Before I go, I have to know—why did you tell me all those things? I mean, it was a privilege to listen to your story—and thank you for trusting me—but you’ve always seemed to keep your past private. What changed?”
What had changed? But deep down he already knew the answer. He surprised himself as he shared it with her. “You asked me some pretty hard questions today, and even though I normally don’t answer them, I did because it was you.”
“I appreciate that,” she said slowly, seeming to weigh his reply. “So, what do you want in return?”
He frowned. After everything he’d shared today, was that really what Erin thought of him? That he had some kind of ulterior motive? That everything was a deal?
His voice level, he asked, “What makes you think I expect anything?”
She rolled her eyes. “I learned lots of new things about you today, Jay, but a leopard doesn’t totally change its spots. I’ve known you for years. There must be something in it for you as well.”
As he shook his head, Jay felt his blood rising, but just as quickly he let it go. He had no one to blame but himself for Erin’s cynicism. Jay had built his career on hustle; it was only fair that Erin would anticipate he wanted something in return. But he had some home truths for Erin, too.
Choosing his words more carefully than usual, he said, “Well, you asked pretty probing questions for the Sea Shell. Here’s one for you. With your smarts and education, why aren’t you working for the San Francisco Chronicle or the NYT?”
If Erin was offended by the question, she didn’t show it. Instead, she smiled. “That’s an easy one. I’m where I want to be. I love this town, I love being close to my family, I love the surfing. And I love the Sea Shell. People always say that they wait all week for a new issue and sit down to devour every page. I know we’re not covering groundbreaking things most of the time, but people really like reading about the Dog of the Week and the local news.”
It was such a sweet and earnest answer that Jay felt a new kind of warmth course through him. Without thinking, he said, “One day you’ll own that paper.”
Erin let out a little peal of laughter. “How did you know that’s actually my secret ambition?”
He shot her a cheeky grin. “You think that after all these years, I don’t know you that well?”
Erin blushed, a deep pink that traveled down her cheeks, her neck, all the way to the delicate bones of her clavicle. It was so sweet that the feelings he’d been trying so hard to push away all day rose to the surface.
Erin, he thought. Erin. How have I never seen you properly before?
As she stood by the door of her car, waiting for him to say something, the whole morning began to feel like they were on a date. And that could not happen. Ever. Archer—and probably the rest of the Davenports—would tear him to shreds. But more than that, the morning’s foray into his past was a stark reminder that, regardless of his current success, Jay wasn’t good enough for this woman.
He said good-bye abruptly, and with a quick farewell pet for Buzzy, headed back inside. He avoided the office and went straight out into the garden to collect himself. But before he had time to think, his phone rang, and his actual business life took over. As it turned out, it was a good thing he’d cleared his schedule, because one of his clients had just had a spectacular blowout with the director of the blockbuster movie he was starring in. Between dealing with furious studio executives, an equally furious star, and already inquisitive reporters, he had no time to worry about how much he’d overshared with the Sea Shell.
It probably didn’t matter, anyway. With a sigh, he resigned himself to heading back to LA sooner than he’d imagined.
Chapter Nine
The Sea Shell might be a weekly, but because of the timing of her interview with Jay Malone, Erin was on a tight deadline. She only had the afternoon to write her piece if they were going to make this week’s issue, and Pat Sinclair had made it pretty clear that she expected Erin to deliver.
She’d driven straight to the office, but as she sat at her desk, instead of reviewing her notes or listening to the recording, Erin found her mind wandering. She was jittery, and for once it wasn’t because she’d drunk too much coffee. The problem was simple and she couldn’t deny it any longer: She was developing feelings for Jay. Big time feelings. Her heart hadn’t raced like this in a long time and the new, more real side she’d seen of him today excited her.