Page 21 of No More Bad Boys
“Hey! You came,” she says when I make it to the fire pit area where about ten of my co-workers from WATV are lounging on plush green-cushioned outdoor sofas.
As I glance over the group, a shimmer of nerves hits my stomach. The loose waves of Blake’s hair glint red in the light from the fire pit. I can only glimpse the side of his face.
He’s in animated conversation with a small brunette next to him—maybe the little owl from the assignment desk? The girl’s face is blocked from my view by his wide shoulders.
Are they flirting? I thought maybe he liked Luce. Maybe he likesbothof them. With his looks and charm, he doesn’t have to settle for one girl at a time.
When I step into the conversation circle, his focus turns to me. Heat sparkles across my skin as his gaze glides down my body in a slow inspection then snaps back to my face.
His green eyes gleam with a wicked implication that makes my muscles clench from my core down to my toes, as if I’m struggling to keep my balance on this flat, unmoving surface.
Standing beside me, Luce slips an arm through mine and pulls my attention back to the rest of the group.
“Y’all, everyone needs to buy Cadence a drink tonight,” she announces to them. “She’s our new resident live-shot guru. She’s the one who pulled off the aquarium thing today.”
A little cheer goes up.
“Spock!” Blake contributes at a loud volume, cupping his hands around his mouth like a megaphone.
I am the recipient of several congratulatory back slaps and high fives from the group, which includes Gabe, a morning reporter, who slides over to make room for me on his couch cushion.
Caroline, the reporter I was expecting on our live shot, is there along with Alissa, the baby owl girl. I was right—shewasthe one Blake was talking to.
There are a couple of photogs whose names I can’t remember and a really young-looking editor named Chris whom I’ve spoken to a couple of times.
The evening anchor, Ian Phillips is also here, though I know he has to do the eleven tonight—I guess this is his dinner break.
I don’t know any of them very well, but they all seem nice.
Well, maybe not Ian—golden blond, sophisticated, and too handsome for his own good, he has a reputation as an alpha-hole womanizer—so I’ve made sure to keep my distance from him.
They must have all been here a while, since most of them seem well on their way to happy-drunk. Except for Ian, who has to stay alert for the late news.
And Blake. His sharp-eyed perusal of me leads me to believe he is completely sober.
After I sit down, Luce takes a seat on Chris’s lap.
Okay, sonotwith Blake then. I check his expression to make sure.
All smiles. Sothey’renot together, but I’m still not sure about the little pocket-pet beside him. Alissa’s sitting awfully close, working hard to re-capture Blake’s attention.
And who can blame her?
He’s still wearing his work clothes—dress pants with a nice button-down—but he looks different now, sort of rumpled and relaxed with a couple buttons undone and wind-blown hair.
My eyes meet his, and I realize I’ve been staring. He gives me an alert glance that tells me he’s noticed. My breath quickens, joining my now-hurried pulse, and I jerk my gaze away.
It lands on Alissa’s face.
Which looks none-too-pleased.
“Anyone need a drink?” Without waiting for an answer, Blake stands. “I’m headed to the bar. What do you want, Cadence?”
“Oh—a beer. Light beer,” I add, remembering my promise to Kenley. “Thanks.”
When I start to pull some bills from my purse, he waves the money away and heads for the bar.
Gabe turns to me and starts a conversation, asking the usual questions about how school’s going and how long I’ll be staying at the station. In a few minutes, Blake comes back with a bottled beer for me and something that looks like cola for himself—maybe a mixed drink?
