‘Well, because they are romance novels and, well, Idon’t know you all that well, but I am guessing that you don’t read much romance.’
‘Are you saying I’m not romantic?’
‘Not at all – just that most guys aren’t into reading romance.’
‘So you’re saying I’m like most guys then?’
‘Oh, no, um…’
‘It’s okay, I’m kidding.’ Cal’s features softened a little. ‘I’ll admit that romance isn’t my cup of tea, but – and this might surprise you – I have read quite a few romance novels. My mum is a huge fan and as a kid I would read from her collection.’
‘Really?’ Bea bit her lip, unsure if this was a joke. ‘You read romance books as a kid. Why?’
‘Hmm, well…’ Cal swallowed back a mouthful of Manhattan and hesitated a moment. ‘I’ll admit that maybe I didn’t read the entirety of any of her novels. Perhaps only selected scenes.’
‘Ah! Okay.’ She laughed. ‘I get it now. Well, if you like those kinds of scenes then you might like my writing.’
‘I’m sure I would. What’s the name of one of your novels? Say, the one you’re most proud of.’
‘Oh, I don’t know. That’s a hard one. But I’d say I’m probably proudest of my first because it was the hardest to write. It’s from myMidtown Millionairesseries.’
‘I see. So who are the Midtown Millionaires?’ Cal shuffled forward on his seat.
‘They’re business owners: men who’ve made it in the business world but who have yet to find true love.’
‘Is that what you get your kicks from then?’
‘Get my kicks?’
‘Sorry, I mean is that what you enjoy writing about.Businessmen who have yet to find true love. Surely you have to enjoy whatever you are writing.’
‘Well, I love all my characters, especially the male ones. And you have to fall a little bit in love with them to make the reader do the same. As for businessmen with that missing piece… they do have a certain something.’ Bea shrugged one shoulder noncommittally, wondering if Cal saw himself in this description.
He examined her with sage interest. ‘I’d love to read some,’ he said. ‘Have you got any with you?’
Woah! This request threw Bea. Cal wanted to read her writing. She didn’t know what to say. Tell him to go to the library? That was too dismissive. Tell him she’d order him a copy to be delivered to the bar. That would take too long. No, she had to find him something now. Strike while his interest was hot. ‘Um…’ She thought fast and reached into her pocket. ‘I don’t have any of the books with me, but I probably have some drafts on my phone.’
‘Read some for me.’ Cal spoke in that commanding Scottish burr that Bea was sure meant he always got what he wanted, from women at least.
‘Are you sure? It might take me a bit of time to find anything suitable.’
‘Aye, I’m sure. Why don’t I make us another drink while you find a good bit to read. I can’t promise it’ll be as good as your Manhattan, but I will try.’
‘Sounds like a deal.’ Bea scrabbled through her phone for first the novel then a suitable scene to read, while Cal went behind the bar to mix his own version of the Manhattan.
‘Okay, I think I’ve found something,’ she said, as Cal brought round the deep red drinks and perched atop his bar stool again. ‘I won’t bore you for too long, but I think you’lllike this scene. This one is set in Alabama and is from my Montgomery Millionaires series, the second series I wrote.’
‘Brilliant. I’m ready when you are.’ Cal’s face was deadly serious. Bea wished she could ascertain whether he was interested in hearing her writing or if he was more attracted to the salacious aspect of it. In choosing which scene to read him, she’d gone for the latter, hoping she wasn’t misreading the signs and making a monumental fool of herself in front of her boss. She was sure she saw a little something extra there behind those dazzling green irises. She parted her lips and stared at her phone. Then she looked back up at Cal.
‘I’d like to say this is a rough draft but it’s pretty much what went in the book, so if you don’t like it…’
Cal remained silent and intently focused on her.
‘I’ll just read, shall I?’
‘Aye.’ He smiled and before she fell off her seat from the weight of the lust he invoked in her, Bea looked down at her phone again.
Jake swung the door of the summerhouse open and stormed in. He would make sure Holly Buchanan never made a fool of him like that again.
