Page 84 of Try Me

Declan nodded, watching Pearl interact with the others. Having it bad was the understatement of the century.

The interview was pure hell.Since Declan hadn’t read the script, he had no idea what the reporters would throw at him. He did his best to answer, but knew that he’d come off sounding like a pompous ass. They asked more questions about his relationships than they did his surfing career.

But it was the close proximity to Pearl without being able to touch her that was eating Declan alive. McKenna had purposefully placed himself between them as an attempt to punish Declan.

“We have a surprise guest for Declan Bishop,” one reporter said.

Declan’s whole body tightened, and he darted a glance at McKenna, who was smiling smugly. Declan swept his gaze away from his agent and back to the reporter who had stood up to go to the door.

“An old flame of yours,” the reporter said, reaching for the conference room doors. “One of your first loves.”

Declan’s mind immediately went to Linda, and he cringed. He’d already had one surprise encounter with Linda Cooke, and he wasn’t eager for another. It would never be easy seeing her.

Declan leaned forward to catch Pearl’s eye, but she was staring at the door determinedly and wouldn’t look his way. He wished he was sitting next to her so that he could squeeze her hand and remind her that his “old flames” were all in the past. She was the only one who mattered.

The reporter opened the door, and a woman Declan didn’t recognize walked in. His shoulders relaxed an inch, and he blew out a breath of relief. It wasn’t Linda. Instead, a nondescript gray-haired woman wearing a flowered muumuu walked in with a wave and a smile.

Declan had no recollection of her.

The woman turned to the door and made a clucking sound with her tongue. “Come, Lady,” she said in a high-pitched command.

A black and white bull terrier trotted into the room with her head held high. The room burst into spontaneous applause.

Declan scraped his chair back from the head table and stood. This was one female he was glad to see.

“Lady,” he said with relief.

Hearing her name, she turned to him and offered a regal bark in recognition. Declan laughed and walked around to the front of the table. Stooping down, he patted Lady between her pointed ears. Cameras flashed and pens flew as the reporters documented the reunion.

“You remember me, girl?” he asked.

“I can’t keep her off the water,” Lady’s owner said. “We had to get a place at Kaneohe to be closer to the beach.”

Declan laughed and posed for several pictures with Lady. She was to have a special place on the stage at the Duke tomorrow.

Thoughts of the contest surfaced in Declan’s mind and for the first time that day. In twenty-four hours, the contest would be finished, and Declan wished it was already done. Tomorrow couldn’t get here fast enough.

He caught Pearl’s eye from across the room and offered her a smile. She smiled back and then gestured at the door. Declan snuck away as soon as he could to meet her.

“Hey,” he said, reaching for her hand.

She squeezed his hand, excitement written all over her face. “That was more fun than I thought it would be,” she said.

Declan raised an eyebrow. He didn’t agree. He never enjoyed giving interviews. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Nate has arranged another commercial for me,” Pearl said, eyes dancing. “We’re going to a surf shop in Hale’iwa after this.”

Declan couldn’t hide his disappointment. He glanced at his watch. It was already past noon. That left them with only seven hours before they were supposed to break up. But Pearl was excited about the commercial, and he didn’t want to crash her high.

“That’s great,” he said. “It’s probably Surf N Sea. I know the spot. Tell Cliff hello for me.” Surf N Sea was right near where he’d crashed his Corvette two years ago. He wondered if they’d replaced the light pole.

“We have to go,” Pearl said.

“Don’t forget your promise,” Declan said, bending down to whisper in her ear. “Come to my room as soon as you’re back.” He kissed her cheek and said goodbye, watching with a sense of foreboding as she hurried off to get ready for the commercial.

Declan caught McKenna’s eye and strode across the room. “We need to talk,” he said. “I want to renegotiate. I want out.”

McKenna snorted. “No way,” he said. “We still have six months on our contract. You would owe me a fortune if you walked out.”

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