Page 41 of Always a Chance
I folded up our past and the pain it caused, making a mess of it like a fitted blanket, and then stuck it in a box. Right now, I had a job to do.
I hit record on my phone. “This interview will be recorded for my later use.”
“You said that last time,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine.
“So, Trinity, let’s get the first question out of the way. Who are you?”
Johnny hesitated for a moment before he spoke with a clear voice. “My name is Johnny Kelly. I’m the man who has written the words you’ve read as Trinity’s since her first book.”
“You’re telling me that you are the bestselling romance author called Trinity?”
“I write her words, yes, but she has taken on a life of her own now. It’s her world, and I’m only writing in it.”
The interview continued in much the way I expected, with no interruptions, no unanswered questions. I’d gotten through about half of my list when Johnny checked his phone and cursed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m late for standing plans I have every Monday.”
“A date?” I wasn’t sure which answer I wanted.
He paused to scratch his chin. “You could say that. Do you… want to come?”
I needed to work on the article and prepare to leave for the city, but there was a hopefulness in his gaze I couldn’t resist. “On your date? Why not.” Apparently, we were going for awkward and more awkward.
20
JOHNNY
I wanted to tell Talia whom my date was actually with, but I enjoyed seeing her squirm way too much. She rode with me, and it wasn’t until we pulled up outside her house that it dawned on her.
“You…” She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to face me. “Your standing Monday date is with my sister?”
“Who else would it be with?” I pushed open my door and climbed out.
Talia scrambled after me. “But…”
“What?” I stopped at the top of the porch steps.
“I thought you just…” She didn’t finish, but I knew what she wanted to say.
“You thought I was just an occasional visitor out of some kind of guilt or something.”
“Maybe.”
Irritation welled in me. It was like she didn’t know me at all, like she’d forgotten who I was. “I love Gianna, Tal. I love her like I love Finley. She’s family. There is no guilt in our relationship. We enjoy hanging out.”
I waited for her to take offense at the brusqueness in my tone, but instead, one corner of her mouth hitched up. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being there for her when I wasn’t.”
The door opened before I could respond, and Mr. Hillson stared out at us. I couldn’t understand his reaction every time he saw Talia. It was like he was surprised she was there, and that surprise came across as disapproval. But I knew how much he missed her, even if she didn’t.
“Thought I heard you out here, Johnny.” He opened the door wider to reveal Gianna already in her plastic beach wheelchair, with a bag on her lap. “I have the mats packed up to help you get across the sand. You know what to do if there’s a problem?”
I nodded. I’d seen enough of her seizures to jump into action.
