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“This seems like a night for hot cocoa,” Monica said, opening the door. “Would you like some?”
“That sounds lovely, thank you.”
Monica disappeared again for a few moments, then reappeared with two mugs in hand. Alissa picked up her notebook and moved it so Monica would have a place to sit. The hot cocoa was thick and creamy, like melted chocolate, with a big, homemade marshmallow in the middle.
“What are you working on?” Monica asked.
“A romance novel I started years ago. Well, notes for one.” Alissa thumbed through the pages, letting the cover close with a quietthump. “It’s been so picturesque here that I’ve been bombarded with ideas. The setting of the book is just like this town, oddly enough. I didn’t plan it that way. I already feel like I want to stay here longer than I thought, just because my creative juices are flowing.”
“That’s great!” Monica brought her mug to her lips.
“Yeah. And I went to Blueberry Bay to ask about that job atThe Outlet.” The pleasant vibe she’d cultivated between dinner and sitting outside faded.
Memories of Dane’s annoyed face stood out starkly in her memory. What was his deal? She had come in trying to fix a problem that he had and he acted like she had been bothering him.
“Good for you! How was it?”
“It was… kind of rough.” Alissa let out a breath through her nose. “The publisher—Dane is his name, though I only found that out from the name plate on his desk—was weirdly not thrilled that a qualified writer came strolling through the door.”
“What? Why?” Monica’s brow furrowed. “No offense, but the paper really needs some good writers.”
“I don’t know. It would be amazing if it worked out but Dane is…” Her cheeks warmed. “Disagreeable. He would be even more handsome if he smiled like, ever.”
Alissa’s face heated even more. She hadn’t intended for her impression of his looks to slip out, but it was true. Dane was undeniably handsome. His stylishly cut auburn hair, strong jaw, and vibrant green eyes made Alissa’s heart skip a beat. Then he balanced that out with that grumpy attitude of his.
“Oh, even more handsome?” Monica nudged Alissa with her shoulder. “Do you like him deep down?”
“Goodness, no. I don’t even know him.” Alissa adjusted the blanket on her shoulders. “And besides, he might not be my problem. I don’t know if I’ll even get the job.”
Though if she were being honest with herself, she hoped she would. From the way Josie had spoken and how long the listing she had found online had been up, they needed someone and she was more than qualified to be that person.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Alissa straightened her skirt, then her collared shirt for the fifth time since she’d arrived outside of the offices ofThe Outlet. Her hair was somewhat of a lost cause, though she’d tried to tame her curls before she left. They weren’t agreeing with her or each other, spiraling all over her head.
Her heart was pounding out of her chest. She looked presentable enough for an interview. Sure, her hair was a little bit out of control, but her outfit showed she cared about making a good first impression. Her writing was what mattered anyhow, and she was confident that her samples and resume would impress Dane.
Alissa took one more deep breath and opened the door to the office. Dane’s office door was closed, but Josie was sitting at her desk.
“Good morning!” Josie said, standing up. Her white-blond hair was up in a braid that wrapped around her head, a look Alissa loved but could never pull off with her curls. “I’ll let Dane know you’re here. You can have a seat right here.”
“Thank you.”
Alissa sat down on the lone chair next to the door while Josie went to get Dane. She spoke to him in hushed tones for a moment before closing the door again.
“He’ll be ready shortly,” Josie said, sitting back down at her desk.
Alissa fidgeted with her bag and her glasses, Josie’s typing filling the room.
“Is he always as cranky as he was yesterday?” Alissa asked when the silence got to be too much.
Josie gave Alissa a knowing smile. “He has a lot of resentment built up about moving here from the big city and trying to get this paper off the ground when it’s a sleepy little place. But he’s less cranky and more… passionate, I guess is the word. He just wants things done well.”
Alissa nodded slowly, taking in what she’d said. She was used to working with people who wanted things done right. If the articles he wanted were anything like he’d said—interviews and finding the small, personal stories of those who lived in the area—then she knew she could meet his expectations.
A few moments later, the door to his office opened. Alissa thought that she dreamed up how good looking he was in some nerves-related hallucination, but no, he really was as good looking as she remembered. As he was the day before, he was dressed in a button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up, a tie, and slacks. His auburn hair was a bit messy, like he had been running his fingers through it. The florescent lighting didn’t flatter most people, but Dane wasn’t most people. His vibrant green eyes caught in the light as he studied Alissa.
“I’m ready,” he said, turning on his heel.
