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Clark gave a vigorous nod and Jay got the impression that if she’d suggested they take his feature photograph in the bathroom by the toilet, Clark would have enthusiastically agreed. Man, that kid had it bad. Still, Jay couldn’t help a niggle of... something. It wasn’t jealousy, obviously, but they worked together. The kid must see her five days a week and they’d go out on assignments like this one. They wouldn’t be the first couple who had ended up getting together through shared circumstance. And then they’d stay together, because the love one of them had for the other would be strong enough to carry the whole relationship.
Still, he’d hate to see Erin settle. She deserved someone more... what? More like him? As soon as he had the thought, he banished it. Not only had he assured Arch that his sister was off-limits, but he truly believed it. Yes, he was seeing a side of her today that really impressed him. She was one of the most skillfulinterviewers he’d ever come across. But she wasn’t his type. Not even close. Maybe they could become better friends. He had certainly revealed more about his past to her than he had any friend—including her brother. Talk about oversharing. She just made him want to talk to her. But what he’d failed to consider was that by talking to Erin, he was also talking to the readership of theSea Shell. He’d have to think about the consequences of that later.
And yet he was glad she stayed as Clark set up and then took what seemed like hundreds of different shots around his study, where he’d already hung photos and movie posters from his clients’ films. Erin suggested that they try the library, but Jay shook his head. He knew he was interesting because he represented hot actors—no one wanted to see that he read poetry or philosophy. He was happy to move to the garden at Clark’s request, however. It was cool and peaceful in the shade, and he could hear the ocean in the distance.
While they were packing up, Clark said to Erin, “There’s an auction this Saturday, if you want to come along.”
“Auction?” Jay asked. “What kind of auction?” He loved auctions, and he still needed quite a few things for the house. It might be fun to go to a local auction and see what they were like.
Clark pushed his glasses up his nose. “It’s photographic equipment mostly, but there will also be art and some antiques, I think.”
“Cool,” Jay said. “Where is it? I’m free on Saturday.”
Something flashed across Clark’s face, but he obligingly told Jay the name of the auction house and its address in Monterey before he turned his attention back to Erin. “Do you think you’ll be able to come?”
“Probably,” she said, with a small shrug and a smile. “Let’s see how far I get with my deadline.”
Jay tried not to frown. He was surprised Erin would want to spend her weekend at an auction with this gangly photo buff. Didn’t she have better things to do? Still, he was intrigued. Not only by the auction, but also by what the relationship really was between these two.
With the interview over, Jay insisted on helping Clark carry his equipment back to his car. He tried not to be smug as he made light work of the heavy lighting rig. Clark thanked him, told Erin he’d see her back at the office, and drove off.
At the door, Erin turned to Jay with a smile. “I’d make tracks too, but it seems Buzzy has other ideas.” She gestured down at Jay’s feet, where Buzzy had made himself comfortable.
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?”
Whathadchanged? 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 theSea Shell. Here’s one for you. With your smarts and education, why aren’t you working for theSan Francisco Chronicleor 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 theSea 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 sosweet 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 theSea Shell.