“Gray it is. I trust you, Rosie.”
“I suppose that’s a good thing, since I’m now managing your construction project.”
“Even if you weren’t, I think I would trust you. You obviously have good taste. Your house is very warm and comfortable. The few parts I’ve seen, anyway.”
She had a sudden stray wish that he had seen her bedroom.
As soon as the thought entered her mind, Rosie felt her face heat. What on earth was the matter with her?
“Are you ready for tonight?” she asked quickly.
He grimaced. “Thanks for reminding me. I’ve been trying all day to put it out of my head so I can actually get some work done.”
“It’s not a big deal. I promise. We’re not scary. And everyone is so happy that you agreed to come speak to our bookclub. The Wood Briar Sea Witches only has about twenty members—not all women, actually. Only about fifteen or so can make it with any regularity to our meetings.”
“That shouldn’t be so bad, I suppose.”
“Although,” she warned, “I do expect we’ll have more than that tonight. You’re a pretty big deal and several of our members were upset they couldn’t meet you at the neighborhood party. Oh, and on our text chain, a few people have said they are planning to bring along a friend who loves your book.”
“You’re not really helping put my mind at ease.”
“I’m really sorry to stress you more,” she said. “You have no reason to be nervous. If it’s any consolation, there will be plenty of friendly faces. My mom goes to the book group. And you met Mei Lin and Nina and several other members at the neighborhood party. Emma is coming as well. You know how much she loves your books.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. It’s the lead-up to an event that gives me a few twinges of nerves. It doesn’t take long for me to become so busy talking about books that I forget my anxieties.”
“I don’t understand why you would be nervous at all. Like I said, we’re a small, friendly group and you’re a celebrity writer. Everyone loves your books.”
“I’ve had a couple of bad experiences. Right after my first book came out, one of my university professors invited me to come and speak to his Fiction Writing 101 class. I was flattered, to be honest, but when I arrived, he spent the whole hour talking about how commercial fiction like mine was ruiningrealliterature.”
“That’s terrible!”
“I tried to put it down to professional jealousy. He had been trying to sell his own literary fiction for years, with noluck. I imagine it must have burned to see me find success so readily. I was a dumb kid who really had no idea what I was doing. Not only did my debut novel find a publisher, but it also hit some bestseller lists.”
“I can promise, no one will be treating you with anything but respect and admiration tonight. I’m sure it will all go to your head.”
He laughed. “I doubt that. That’s the funny thing about writers. I imagine there are a few who are overflowing with confidence and hubris, certain that every word out of their pen is sheer magic. They’re in the minority. Most of us who create still feel like imposters most of the time, waiting for everybody else to figure out we’re talentless hacks.”
This rare glimpse into his mind fascinated her. Okay, everything about this man fascinated her.
“The rest of the world strongly disagrees with that,” she said. “You’ll see tonight. You have the address, right?
“Your friend texted it to me.”
“It might be hard to find. Barbara West lives on a cul-de-sac in a secluded beachfront neighborhood outside of town. Sometimes GPS doesn’t always get things right around here. Text me if you have trouble and I’ll try to direct you. In fact, we could go together, if that would be easier.”
As soon as the words were out, Rosie wondered what on earth she was thinking. She did not need to spend more time alone with him.
Right now, she definitely did not trust herself around Andrew Morgan. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to end up doing something stupid that she couldn’t take back. Like fall head over heels for him.
“Sure. That would be great,” he said.
She had no choice now. Might as well roll with it.
“At least that way you can be sure to see at least one friendly face. I can hold your hand if you get too nervous,” she teased.
“Something to look forward to, then,” he said, his voice low and amused.
She swallowed hard and had to look away, not sure if he was sincere or teasing her back.