romance.”
“And you would know this because?”
“For starters, I read your first one last night. Not bad.”
“I don’t believe you.” She was grinning, wagging her fork at him, and looked adorably baffled that anybody would read her love stories, much less a guy. “Give me your critique.”
“A critique or a synopsis?”
“Shut up, Jake, and just tell me what you think.”
“Honestly?”
She swallowed hard, eyes huge, like she was staring down the barrel of a gun. He really shouldn’t have been teasing her, but it was kind of cute to see how much she cared about what he thought. It was almost like nobody had ever read a word she’d written but him.
“I liked the heroine, Alyssa. The hero was trying too hard to be alpha for my taste, but I’m sure women will eat Sweet Southern Love up along with the other twenty-five books in the series.”
Her fork dropped onto the table. Mouth gaped open but nothing came out.
Not missing a beat, he handed her fork back to her. “I forgot to ask Erin, Tara, so I’ll ask you. Do you need any tickets for friends tomorrow? Your husband?”
She blushed hard and shook her head. “No, it’s just me. Jim’s—out of the country.”
Okay, with the exception of two national TV appearances tomorrow, why was the idea of having her to himself so appealing? He thought about the tour he’d just come off of and the champ’s huge entourage and knew why. Tagalongs were a pain in the ass, not as much as the divas themselves, but still.
“Good to know. I emailed you the updated itinerary. I talked to the Janzen rep today and moved some things around so you’ll have some time to catch your breath before the first show in Chicago. You’ve done great so far, but I’m a little worried about the book signings along with those theater gigs wearing you out.”
She let out a deep breath. “I’m worried too. I’m good one-on-one with fans, but I told Erin I thought the shows were a bad idea.”
He pulled out his phone and scrolled through her schedule for the thirteenth time that day. There was no need, he knew the itinerary by heart, it was just a habit or what Erin called a security blanket. He didn’t think he was OCD like Erin claimed, but as much as it killed him to deviate from the fucking itinerary, maybe he was. But as long as he was in charge, that was okay.
“You were supposed to have Friday through Sunday off, but I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine in Atlanta who can give you some quick skills and help you feel more comfortable in the pressure cooker.” Yes, he’d already booked the flights. This trip was on. “The catch is, we have to leave as soon as you’re done with The View.”
“Oh, God, that would be great, Jake. I feel like I’m being thrown into this theater thing with no idea of what to do or what to expect.”
“Don’t worry,” Jake said. “You’re in good hands.”
Lou had all but bet him outright the arena shows would be a disaster, but Jake was more worried about getting through tomorrow trying to act professional with Tara in that short black dress and high heels. Or Tara only in high heels. Christ. He definitely needed to get his shit together.
Tara was in the middle of her dessert when he motioned for waiter who was back in a flash with the check. Jake didn’t even look at it, just handed the guy the company credit card. “I’ve got to head out. Another early day tomorrow.” She looked disappointed at first, then shrugged, savoring another bite of her gooey chocolate and raspberry dessert, licking the spoon slowly. Basically killing him.
“I can’t believe you read my novel. You can stop now; they’re just romances, not even great romances.”
“I’m starting on the second one tonight.”
“Thanks for dinner, Jake, and the shoes. I’ll pay you back. Soon.”
“Forget about it,” he said, as he signed the check. It was worth it. Yep, he needed to get there and fast.
“Jake.” That drawl did things
“And you would know this because?”
“For starters, I read your first one last night. Not bad.”
“I don’t believe you.” She was grinning, wagging her fork at him, and looked adorably baffled that anybody would read her love stories, much less a guy. “Give me your critique.”
“A critique or a synopsis?”
“Shut up, Jake, and just tell me what you think.”
“Honestly?”
She swallowed hard, eyes huge, like she was staring down the barrel of a gun. He really shouldn’t have been teasing her, but it was kind of cute to see how much she cared about what he thought. It was almost like nobody had ever read a word she’d written but him.
“I liked the heroine, Alyssa. The hero was trying too hard to be alpha for my taste, but I’m sure women will eat Sweet Southern Love up along with the other twenty-five books in the series.”
Her fork dropped onto the table. Mouth gaped open but nothing came out.
Not missing a beat, he handed her fork back to her. “I forgot to ask Erin, Tara, so I’ll ask you. Do you need any tickets for friends tomorrow? Your husband?”
She blushed hard and shook her head. “No, it’s just me. Jim’s—out of the country.”
Okay, with the exception of two national TV appearances tomorrow, why was the idea of having her to himself so appealing? He thought about the tour he’d just come off of and the champ’s huge entourage and knew why. Tagalongs were a pain in the ass, not as much as the divas themselves, but still.
“Good to know. I emailed you the updated itinerary. I talked to the Janzen rep today and moved some things around so you’ll have some time to catch your breath before the first show in Chicago. You’ve done great so far, but I’m a little worried about the book signings along with those theater gigs wearing you out.”
She let out a deep breath. “I’m worried too. I’m good one-on-one with fans, but I told Erin I thought the shows were a bad idea.”
He pulled out his phone and scrolled through her schedule for the thirteenth time that day. There was no need, he knew the itinerary by heart, it was just a habit or what Erin called a security blanket. He didn’t think he was OCD like Erin claimed, but as much as it killed him to deviate from the fucking itinerary, maybe he was. But as long as he was in charge, that was okay.
“You were supposed to have Friday through Sunday off, but I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine in Atlanta who can give you some quick skills and help you feel more comfortable in the pressure cooker.” Yes, he’d already booked the flights. This trip was on. “The catch is, we have to leave as soon as you’re done with The View.”
“Oh, God, that would be great, Jake. I feel like I’m being thrown into this theater thing with no idea of what to do or what to expect.”
“Don’t worry,” Jake said. “You’re in good hands.”
Lou had all but bet him outright the arena shows would be a disaster, but Jake was more worried about getting through tomorrow trying to act professional with Tara in that short black dress and high heels. Or Tara only in high heels. Christ. He definitely needed to get his shit together.
Tara was in the middle of her dessert when he motioned for waiter who was back in a flash with the check. Jake didn’t even look at it, just handed the guy the company credit card. “I’ve got to head out. Another early day tomorrow.” She looked disappointed at first, then shrugged, savoring another bite of her gooey chocolate and raspberry dessert, licking the spoon slowly. Basically killing him.
“I can’t believe you read my novel. You can stop now; they’re just romances, not even great romances.”
“I’m starting on the second one tonight.”
“Thanks for dinner, Jake, and the shoes. I’ll pay you back. Soon.”
“Forget about it,” he said, as he signed the check. It was worth it. Yep, he needed to get there and fast.
“Jake.” That drawl did things
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