Page 7 of Chance of Romance
He studied her for a moment. “Because you’re shy?”
She narrowed her eyes. “I’m not shy.”
His lips curled up in a small smile. “Yeah, you are.”
“I’m perfectly fine one-on-one, I just don’t like the spotlight.”
He twirled his fork in the lo mein. “Because you’re shy.”
“I’m not shy! I’m just an indiscriminate blusher!”
“Such a shy blusher,” he teased. “I’m watching you, Wazowski,” he added in his impersonation of Roz from the movieMonsters, Inc.
A reluctant smile tugged at her lips. He did do funny impressions. “You don’t listen.”
“I listen. I just don’t agree.” He winked and went back to his lunch.
She glared at him, irritated that he just didn’t get that it wasn’t shyness holding her back, but he was too busy eating lunch to notice. “I don’t want to be doing all this stuff with the media. That’s not compatible with my life in any way, shape, or form.”
He tipped his bottled water up to his lips and spoke around it. “Why not?”
“Because my entire life was chaos, and I can’t even believe I’m telling you this. Let’s just say I emerged from the chaos and created my own stability.”
He tilted his head. “Are you telling me your family is nuts?”
“Yes.”
“So’s mine. So’s everyone’s.”
“No, yours is loud and happy.” She knew and loved his family—his sister, Mad, his older brothers, and his dad, a total sweetheart. Of course, they weren’t perfect. His mom had left the family when he was only four and never called or visited during his entire childhood. That could really shake a person’s belief in lasting relationships, which had made his commitment phobia understandable. Though now that she knew he was pining for a lost love, she wasn’t sure her diagnosis was correct. She knew a lot more about him than he probably realized through her friendship with Mad.
He stabbed some chicken. “Not always happy.”
“Mine is embarrassing, flashy—”
“Flashy?”
“Nobody ever stays married, no lasting commitments of any kind. Kids everywhere like they’ve never heard of birth control. Drama, drama, drama. And they love it! I barely escaped with my sanity.”
He shook his head. “I can’t picture you in that family.”
“Exactly. Not fun.”
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes.
She set her fork down. “I want to help people. I just don’t want to lose myself in the chaos.”
Logan lifted his head. “Who’s going with you to your TV interview?”
She took a drink, thinking it over. Her friends were probably all working. “I don’t know. I’ll ask my friends tomorrow when we’re shopping for Mad’s wedding dress, but I’m not hopeful. The interview’s at eight a.m. on Monday morning in the city. I have to be there by six. Claire would be my ideal choice, but she’s still out of town.”
He met her eyes, his expression unusually serious. “You want me there, say the word.”
Her heart squeezed, touched by the offer. She knew he was busy at work with some important investor meetings he had to prepare for. A small sliver of hope warmed her despite her certainty that he saw her only as a friend, despite all of her previous concerns about getting close to him.
“Why would you want to do that?” she asked softly.
“Because we’re friends and you’re shy as hell.” One corner of his mouth lifted. “You know they have a studio audienceandpeople on the street can watch through the big windows. I’ve passed by their studio before. I’d hate to see you blushing brighter than their logo.” TheSunshine Americalogo was bright red and orange.Gee, thanks.
