Page 31 of Show Off

Because something tells me Lana’s still living it. She’s still that little girl twirling with all her might on the red carpet.

It’s none of my business. Lana’s well-being isn’t mine to protect. “I should get going.”

“All right.” She points at her laptop. “I’m just about done with a list of proposed chowder stops for the next few months. I’ll email it by EOB today and you can add your own ideas.”

The spark in her eyes undoes me. Maybe that’s why I say it. “You’re coming with me.”

She blinks. “Where?”

“Chowder tasting.” Was that too forward? “I’m gonna need PR help, right?”

“I suppose.” She doesn’t sound convinced. “You mean we’d travel together?”

“Sure, why not?” It’s a stupid idea, but that doesn’t stop me. “Consider it damage control. Who knows what I might blurt in public without my trusty PR sidekick keeping me in line?”

It’s such utter bullshit that she has to see through it. She does see through it, right?

“You drive a hard bargain, Dal Yang.” Lana stands and sticks out her hand. As I wrap my fingers around hers, actual lightning arcs up my arm. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

CHAPTER5

CONFESSIONAL 1116

Judson, Lana (Public Relations Director: Juniper Ridge)

Want to know a secret?

No, not a juicy one. Come on, Lauren.

A smart public relations professional actually loves a crisis. When things go wrong, but you know exactly how to handle it. How to spin the story to put your client’s best foot forward so everyone comes out smelling like roses.

Maybe not roses, but something sweet. Strawberries or kiwi or—it’s like a smoothie!

A smoothie all swirled together, blended just how you like it, so no one really knows what even went into the mix and?—

Could I please get a drink here?

* * *

“Who are we meeting again?”

I stop scanning the cozy dining room of O’Brien’s to answer Dal’s question. “Her name’s Cassidy Brooks.” I cross my legs on the bench seat and my knee bumps Dal’s. “She’s my mother’s assistant.”

“And she liveshere?”

Here, as it happens, is Cherry Blossom Lake. It’s a tiny town on the Oregon Coast where my parents own an ostentatious mega-mansion called Maison de la Mer.

They’re still in Australia, which is why this four-hour road trip makes a great first stop on the Great Tour of Chowder. Free lodging, and no awkward chats with my parents in the hall.

Dal’s still puzzling out my family connection to the Oregon Coast. “And you know the owner of this place somehow?” He glances around O’Brien’s, dark eyes trailing over shiny tap handles and the air hockey table in the corner. “You said there’s some link to your mom’s assistant.”

“Cassidy’s sister is engaged to Cal Cornish, who makes the killer razor clam chowder we’re here to try.” It topped Dal’s must-taste list, and I’m not surprised. Cal’s kind of a legend.

“Cal Cornish, yeah. I’ve heard a lot about him.” There’s deep respect in Dal’s eyes. “An up-and-comer. Totally self-taught. Uses a lot of his late mother’s recipes.”

“Bingo.” I study Dal, wondering what’s got him distracted. He’s not normally this glued to his phone, but he’s glanced at the screen three times since we sat down. “Everything okay?”

He nods and tucks the phone in his pocket. “Sorry.”

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