She deliberately averted her gaze as she pulled out her voice recorder.
“Question one,” Holly began, “What’s the one thing about Brookwell that’s surprised you the most so far? Something other than blue skies.”
Seb leaned back, a small, genuine smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “The dog. Digby. I thought he’d be a tiny, depressed ball and chain. He’s my sister’s dog, but she’s deployed right now. He’s a handful, but he’s also the only thing in my life that doesn’t care about my encryption software.”
A solid answer that revealed more than she expected. She rewarded him with a smile and ignored her curiosity about his sister. “Why the Marion estate? There are plenty of modern and historic mansions in Charleston that probably have better Wi-Fi.”
Seb looked past her toward the harbor. “This estate also comes with a lighthouse. I’ve always been fascinated by their history and service. Navigational points in the dark, right? I liked the idea of owning a piece of history that was designed to guide people home. Plus, the solitude of being a lighthouse keeper is intriguing.”
Holly’s heart skipped at the mention of the lighthouse. She hadn’t realized the estate still included the old, decommissioned light. Hearing him speak of it as a guide felt... significant.
She cleared her throat. This was Vince’s interview and he would want to follow up on her initial queries his way. She held up three fingers. “What are you afraid of, Sebastian Sterling? Besides a nosy reporter with a gift for managing your dog.”
Seb didn’t flinch. He just looked at the empty hallway, the vastness of the house seeming to weigh on him. “I value my quiet and privacy,” he murmured.
Waiting, she watched his throat work as he took a long pull on the Coke bottle. That shouldn’t be nearly as sexy as it felt in this charged moment.
“Still, being alone…” He took a deep breath. “That’s the catch. All the success in the world doesn’t matter if there’s no one to play the game with.”
His answer stole her breath. Was he concerned about his sister not coming home? That was not the next question and yet, she wanted to honor his sincerity. Her gaze locked on his, she swayed toward him before she caught herself.
He took a step back. “That’s three, Holly.”
The way he said her name sent a shiver across her skin. She had to pull herself together.
“Right. Um. What’s your favorite strudel flavor?”
“How do you know I have one?” he challenged.
“Give me a little credit, Sterling. I’m a reporter, attuned to nuance and such.”
“And such?” He chuckled. “Apple,” he confessed. “It’s classic for a reason.”
“Can’t argue.” She forced her lips into a bright smile and turned off the recorder. “Thanks, I’ll pass this on to Vince and he can follow up and finish accordingly. As for the rest, is tomorrow good for you?”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ll want a guide in town,” she replied. “Buffer might be the more appropriate word. The Bread Basket doesn’t deliver.”
“I’m a quick study, Holly. I can navigate Central Avenue.”
“Uh-huh.” Seb stared at her, his gaze so intent she nearly started fidgeting. “Look, a Google search can’t tell you which booth at the Pelican Pub has the best acoustics for auditioning bands,” she said. “And it certainly won’t tell you how to win over the locals or prevent a misstep with someone on the committee.”
Seb sighed, a long, defeated sound that lacked conviction.
She chose not to press any further and handed him another business card. “Call me when you’re ready for an assist.”
He trailed her to the front door, and stopped, his hand resting on the frame just above her head. “You’re very persistent,” he noted.
The man had no idea. She looked up into the warmth of his brown eyes. The man was temptation personified. “My best and worst quality,” she managed.
Somehow, she found the door handle and let herself out. Away from the famous house and the sexy new owner. She was halfway down the walk when she remembered the sad state of her bicycle.
Oh, well. The walk would do her good.
“Holly, hang on.”
She stopped, waiting as he and Digby jogged up.
