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“I’m assuming you majored in journalism? Or English?” I loved the sound of her voice. It felt warm, like velvet across my skin.

“Journalism, yes. I always knew I wanted to be a writer. I can’t remember ever considering anything else. I’m still working on a focus, though. I’ve been a reporter for a while, but currently, I’m in between jobs.”

A reporter. Did she have an angle after all? I had a brief twinge of discomfort but glanced at her face and was put at ease by her earnest answer. At least she hadn’t lied about it.

“Oh? What was your last assignment, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I was in Brussels, covering a conference on emissions standards. If it hadn’t been for the location, I would have been bored stiff. I cut out early on the last day and toured the city. I even took in a museum that was suggested by the cutest old man I met at lunch.”

“Brussels is a gorgeous city. I visited once, early in my career.” I wondered if she would ask more about my writing and how much she knew. It didn’t take much to google me. Unfortunately, unless you looked deeper, you wouldn’t get past the negative stuff. I guessed she hadn’t looked into it much, or she wouldn’t be here.

“It is one of my favorite places to visit. Before that job, I worked as an AP reporter, and before that, I joined the peace corps.”

“Wow. That’s great. You mentioned not finding your focus yet. What other writing have you considered?”

She bit her lip. I couldn’t tell if it was a reaction to the question or a habit. Either way, it was sexy as hell. I moved my eyes back to the road, navigating through the curves.

“I’m not sure. I just know that covering political conferences isn’t it.”

I realized continued questioning would cause her to ask some questions of her own. I wasn’t certain I was ready to share, so I changed the subject as the GPS announced we would reach our destination in two minutes.

“Thanks for agreeing to come with me. I don’t know anyone here.”

She turned me, eyes twinkling. “I was going to ask how you scored an invitation. These bonfires are a little exclusive. Exclusive for Ashford, anyway.”

So much for steering clear of me. “I’m working on a story. I reached out to a girl I saw in town—I know her from her YouTube videos as well, but I didn’t know she lived around here.”

Her eyes widened this time, and a coy smile crossed her lips. “YouTube videos?”

There was a teasing lilt to her tone. It hadn’t hit me how that might sound. I was either a pervert or a stalker in this scenario. I laughed, shocked at the ease with which it flowed. The sound surprised me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d genuinely laughed.

“That sounded bad. She was in an accident a few years back and lost a limb. Her YouTube videos focus on her recovery and how she won her life back. It’s near and dear to my heart.”

I gulped in some air. I hadn’t expected my openness. There was something about her that put me at ease. I would need to watch myself if I didn’t want to spill it all. If she knew all the nitty-gritty details, she’d run the other way.

“That’s admirable.” She smiled. “I can’t imagine how I would respond in that situation. I guess you never know until you live through it, though.”

Her gaze rested on me a minute longer than I was comfortable with. It was the first indication she might already know what was hidden in my closet. I didn’t allow myself to think about her knowing and still climbing into my truck. The walls could stay firmly in place if I assumed the opposite, as I’d been doing. It was a coping skill that had kept everyone at arm’s length for a decade now.

“I guess we’re all one step away from a life-changing event.” Again, what was wrong with me? My mind and my mouth were at odds. Feeling tension in my jeans, I realized my cock was on my mouth’s team, open and ready to share. I might be in trouble here.

“There. I think it’s the next left.”

“Thanks, I might have missed it even with the GPS. There are hidden driveways all over around here. I missed my own driveway when I first moved in.”

“It’s easy to do. Stick by me, and you won’t get lost.” Her response was easy and friendly. I hoped her agreeing to meet me didn’t have an ulterior motive attached.

“I didn’t ask. Do you know anyone who comes to these? You mentioned the invitations being exclusive.”

“I do, actually. One of my friends from high school should be here. She and her husband know the hosts. I’ll introduce you so things don’t feel too awkward. What did you say the girl’s name was that invited you?”

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