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He shook it. “Hale.”
“Long time, huh?” Hale flopped in the seat across from William. “Heard you were a hold out to this whole thing.” He gestured across the set.
William nodded. “Took a little convincing.”
Cameras weren’t rolling, but his mic was already attached to his collar, so he knew better than to say anything that could be edited into something it wasn’t in post-production.
“What do you say we get this party started?” Hale took the cue cards a production assistant slipped to him.
“Sounds good.” William stilled his tapping foot.
He was a journalist. He had spent years in front of the cameras. He shouldn’t be terrified of what these assholes were about to do. And yet, he couldn’t stop sweating— literally and figuratively.
Makeup powdered his face, and a cameraman wearing a headset held his fingers out beside camera two in a silent countdown from ten…nine…
He could do this. Eight…seven… For Lucy.
Six…five…
Because he loved her. Four…three…
And she needed to know how much. Two…one…
Camera two’s red light flashed to green. The camera guy pointed to Hale in an exaggerated motion.
They were on. Hale blabbed an intro, the rushing in William’s ears amplified, he plastered on a smile and waited for Hale to ask him something.
“We’ve got one of our most popular Beach Nights alumni with us today, but first let’s take a look back.” Hale smirked and the light on camera two flicked to red once more.
William stared at the monitor on the floor beside the camera. They put together a montage of William and his time on the show. He pressed his lips together. This was expected—the rehashing of the women, his idiocy, bringing the past back to the present. It’s what he had to get through— the price he had to pay—for the chance to get through to Lucy.
“Next please,” his younger self said from the monitor.
This is where Hale would pounce. The camera clicked to green without warning. Hale turned to William.
“So, inquiring minds want to know who is your latest next, please?” The Hollywood smile Hale flashed looked like a shark circling a bucket of chum.
The chum being William.
They were about to be disappointed.
“There’s not a new, next please. Hasn’t been for a long time.” William glanced down and then looked straight into the camera. “Things changed for me. I’m not that guy anymore.”
Ever the professional, Hale’s expression didn’t change, but William saw the way his eyes dilated briefly in annoyance.
“No one at all?” Hale probed.
“No. There’s not another next, please.”
“I’m sure our audience is disappoint?—”
“Now, I’m in love with an only one,” William cut him off. He wasn’t the least bit sorry about it. “She doesn’t believe that. So I’m here, in front of everyone, to make that point. So she’ll believe me. Did you ever meet someone who just makes you happy, Hale?”
Hale’s expression faltered. “I guess that’s the question we’re asking you.”
“Yeah. I met her. She means everything, and I’d do anything so she understands how much I love her. Even come here and talk to you.”
* * *
