Emotions clog my throat, but I muster a smile. Even though the Bennetts have been a constant in my life for the past two years, I’m still surprised every time they offer to help me. Still, this doesn’t feel right.
As if sensing my doubts, he adds, “You can pay me what you’re paying for rent now.”
“That’s more reasonable, even if not fair to you.”
“It’s fair.” His eyes crinkle as he offers me a wide smile. “Now, since the kids seem peaceful, let’s return to the realm of grown-ups.” He leads me away, resting one hand on the center of my back, splaying his fingers wide.
“Do you want to come see the apartment?”
“Sure. When do you have time?”
“Tomorrow would be good since it’s Sunday, but I’ll probably sleep like the dead after this. Monday? Before happy hour begins at the bar?”
“Deal. And Blake? Thank you. You’re the one saving my bacon now. Big-time.”
His fingers press gently into my back, and he leans in dangerously close. “I’ll be a fun neighbor, I promise.”
Is it suddenly hot in here, or is it just me? I glance sideways, inspecting Blake. Yep, just me. He isn’t even breaking a sweat, while it’s all Niagara here under my dress. I wish I’d had the good sense to style my hair up in an elegant bun instead of loose waves, though I suspect the flash of heat has nothing to do with my hair sticking to the back of my neck and everything to do with the man next to me.
As we make our way to the center of the ballroom, I notice the hook holding up Alice’s long train has come off, and the fabric is cinched behind her at her feet. Since she’s engrossed in a conversation with Nate, it’s possible she hasn’t noticed. She could trip on it if she doesn’t know.
“See you later,” I mouth to Blake and head toward his sister. “Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but the hook holding your train has come off.”
Alice glances downward. “Oh, crap. They warned me this would happen because the fabric is so heavy. I have safety pins in a small white bag under our table.”
“I’ll go get it, and then I’m going to fix your dress.”
“Always the savior, eh, Clara?” Nate asks good-naturedly.
“That’s how I roll.” Ah, I miss having him as a boss, or at least close by. I have no siblings, but while I worked for him, it felt a bit like I had an older brother.
Five minutes later, Alice and I are in the bathroom, and I’m trying to replace the hook with the safety pin. Alice, bless her, is talking my ear off about everything.
“I just can’t rein in my grin,” she confides. “Every time someone says “smile for a photo”, my face just explodes with happiness.” Her happiness is infectious, and I can’t help wondering how it must feel to love someone and to be loved back so fiercely. “I think my face is going to hurt from so much grinning tomorrow.”
“There, all done,” I exclaim, finally. “I think it’ll hold, but I’ll keep an eye on it anyway.”
“You’re my hero. Now let’s get out there and have a blast.”
We do have a blast. I dance my feet off, but my mind keeps circling back to one thought—especially whenever I’m dancing with a certain Bennett brother. If Blake’s proximity affects me this much, how on earth will I pull off living next to him?
CHAPTER TWO
Clara
“I am going to frame this and look at it every day.” I’m hugging a magazine to my chest while doing a bad impression of a cha-cha. This is one of the best things about having my own small office at the studio. Inside here, I can be as ridiculous a
s I want. No one can see my antics, which often leads people to not take me seriously. As if having a sense of humor and a tendency to overexpress my joy means I can’t be serious when the situation requires it.
But whatever, I’m not going to change anyone’s minds, so I’ve learned to only let my crazy out around people I trust. Once I’ve danced the energy away, I lay the magazine on the desk, smoothing it out. I’ve crumpled it a bit in my display of affection. It’s a stellar review on one of the last segments I’ve worked on with Nate as his assistant producer. It only came out last week. I like my job, but I’m not crazy about it, and sometimes a good review is exactly what I need to keep pushing.
I know that I’ll never make it to executive producer, but that’s fine with me. I have no such aspirations. I want to transition out of TV at some point, because work-life balance isn’t a thing in the industry. I hope to have a family of my own one day—kids to love, a husband to dote on. I also want a job that will allow me to contribute financially while not taking over my life. Maybe I should wish for calorie-free ice cream while I’m imagining impossible things.
For now though, I’m doing my best to be the most kick-ass assistant producer. I work on a local TV show, and they pay me a salary that is just enough to buy my own tiny apartment just outside the city.
Today I’m being sneaky instead of kick-ass, tiptoeing out of the studio at four o’clock so I can meet Blake before happy hour begins at the bar. Thank heavens my boss is on a set on the outskirts of San Francisco today, so he’s not privy to my shenanigans.
After parking my car a block away from the bar, I walk at a brisk pace, soaking in the energy of the Pacific Heights district surrounding me. It’s a bright, if chilly, evening, perfect for the second week of May. I’ve been here before, but now I’m seeing things through a different lens.