you? I’m sorry. Listen, I have a big favor to ask. Before you start, I know it’s your day off, but I got called into work. Emma went into labor and I have to cover for her. I need you to go to the center and cover the interview for me,” Tawny pleaded.
No way. The media and Jason, who’d said he’d be at the site today, were more than she could deal with. And after the dreams she’d had the last two nights, there was no way she could face him today without turning ten shades of red. She needed to ignore the fantasies. There was only one way this relationship could go, and that was down a dead-end street. Jason’s actions reeked of déjà vu. Ari’d had his reasons for using Cherry too.
Misguided reasons and no scruples.
Even while her mind protested, her body began moving. No way would she leave the kids or her friend hanging at such a crucial time.
“Cherry?”
Sleep, she desperately needed more sleep. She could do this. One more interview. Get in, get it done, and get out. No drama. Grumbling, she swung her legs over the side of the bed; the cold of the wood sent a quick hello through her body, and she rubbed the grit from her eyes. “I want pictures of the baby, and give Emma hugs for me.”
“Thanks. I get off at noon. Why don’t you meet me for some shopping, and then we’ll do lunch so you can tell me all about it.”
She looked around her cozy bedroom for Tucker to find him fast asleep in his miniature four-poster bed, clearly not ready for the day either after their late night. “Tell you what?” Letting her pup catch a few more winks, she turned the shower on to heat up the water, ignoring the familiar clicks and accompanying hisses and went to the closet to scan its contents for interview-worthy clothes.
“What’s bothering you? How things went with Jason Valentine last night? The interview? The meaning of life? Pick one, Mija . See you in a couple of hours. I’ve got to run. Hey, wear the turquoise blouse with your black skirt and peep-toe heels. You’ll look great. Bye.”
Fifty-five minutes later, standing at the entrance to the center Cherry had thought of a half dozen reasons why she should call the reporter and cancel, starting with the fact that her stomach was doing nonstop topsy-turvy somersaults. Cherry didn’t know if the cause was waiting to see Jason again or dealing with the press. Seconds later, Jason’s truck pulled into the parking lot. He and Dave crossed the pavement and stopped in front of her. In his worn-out jeans and faded black T-shirt, with a day’s growth darkening his cheeks, he looked like a poster model for Bad Boys“R”Us. Sexy, sinful, and irresistible.
“Morning, gorgeous,” Dave greeted her. “I’m going to head in and start taking a look around.”
“Does he always flirt?”
“If you’re female and breathing, Dave considers it his duty. I’m surprised to see you here this morning,” Jason said.
Cherry leaned back against the door frame, trapping her hands behind her. Faint shadows marred the skin under those striking blue-green eyes. Perhaps she’d haunted his night as he had hers. “I drew the short straw. The interview shouldn’t take long, and we’ll be out of your way in no time.”
“No worries. We can work around you.”
A second car pulled up, and Cherry’s stomach dropped out from under her like a hundred-foot drop on a roller coaster. Here goes nothing.
Jason reached out to steady her as she stepped away from the wall, and she leaned into him for support. “You okay? You look a little shaky.” His eyes darkened and she found herself holding her breath. Simultaneously they both stepped back.
“Thanks, that makes me feel so much better.” She laughed and assured him she’d be fine. He took one last look and excused himself to start work.
Cherry pushed all thoughts of Jason aside as she spotted the reporter from News Today walking toward her, along with his photographer.
A weasel and a fox, they’re sneaky and
No way. The media and Jason, who’d said he’d be at the site today, were more than she could deal with. And after the dreams she’d had the last two nights, there was no way she could face him today without turning ten shades of red. She needed to ignore the fantasies. There was only one way this relationship could go, and that was down a dead-end street. Jason’s actions reeked of déjà vu. Ari’d had his reasons for using Cherry too.
Misguided reasons and no scruples.
Even while her mind protested, her body began moving. No way would she leave the kids or her friend hanging at such a crucial time.
“Cherry?”
Sleep, she desperately needed more sleep. She could do this. One more interview. Get in, get it done, and get out. No drama. Grumbling, she swung her legs over the side of the bed; the cold of the wood sent a quick hello through her body, and she rubbed the grit from her eyes. “I want pictures of the baby, and give Emma hugs for me.”
“Thanks. I get off at noon. Why don’t you meet me for some shopping, and then we’ll do lunch so you can tell me all about it.”
She looked around her cozy bedroom for Tucker to find him fast asleep in his miniature four-poster bed, clearly not ready for the day either after their late night. “Tell you what?” Letting her pup catch a few more winks, she turned the shower on to heat up the water, ignoring the familiar clicks and accompanying hisses and went to the closet to scan its contents for interview-worthy clothes.
“What’s bothering you? How things went with Jason Valentine last night? The interview? The meaning of life? Pick one, Mija . See you in a couple of hours. I’ve got to run. Hey, wear the turquoise blouse with your black skirt and peep-toe heels. You’ll look great. Bye.”
Fifty-five minutes later, standing at the entrance to the center Cherry had thought of a half dozen reasons why she should call the reporter and cancel, starting with the fact that her stomach was doing nonstop topsy-turvy somersaults. Cherry didn’t know if the cause was waiting to see Jason again or dealing with the press. Seconds later, Jason’s truck pulled into the parking lot. He and Dave crossed the pavement and stopped in front of her. In his worn-out jeans and faded black T-shirt, with a day’s growth darkening his cheeks, he looked like a poster model for Bad Boys“R”Us. Sexy, sinful, and irresistible.
“Morning, gorgeous,” Dave greeted her. “I’m going to head in and start taking a look around.”
“Does he always flirt?”
“If you’re female and breathing, Dave considers it his duty. I’m surprised to see you here this morning,” Jason said.
Cherry leaned back against the door frame, trapping her hands behind her. Faint shadows marred the skin under those striking blue-green eyes. Perhaps she’d haunted his night as he had hers. “I drew the short straw. The interview shouldn’t take long, and we’ll be out of your way in no time.”
“No worries. We can work around you.”
A second car pulled up, and Cherry’s stomach dropped out from under her like a hundred-foot drop on a roller coaster. Here goes nothing.
Jason reached out to steady her as she stepped away from the wall, and she leaned into him for support. “You okay? You look a little shaky.” His eyes darkened and she found herself holding her breath. Simultaneously they both stepped back.
“Thanks, that makes me feel so much better.” She laughed and assured him she’d be fine. He took one last look and excused himself to start work.
Cherry pushed all thoughts of Jason aside as she spotted the reporter from News Today walking toward her, along with his photographer.
A weasel and a fox, they’re sneaky and
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