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Alissa savored the rest of her breakfast. It was the perfect start to what she hoped would be a great day.
CHAPTERNINE
Dane’s eyes drifted toward Alissa’s new desk, which he could see from inside his office. She pushed her glasses up on her nose, then went back to typing, a small smile on her face. Her attention hadn’t strayed from the task at hand since he’d given her when she came in the door.
He looked back at his screen at his own article. The assignment he’d given Alissa, a story on the reconstruction of a historical lighthouse, was much bigger than he would have given a beginner—there was a lot of research involved on a tight deadline. But he didn’t have much of a choice at the moment. The lighthouse was some of the biggest news in the area and he had too much on his plate to do all the research and write the article in time.
Alissa’s eager amateur attitude would get it done.
He got a few sentences down, but looked back at her before he could get out another. He hadn’t wanted to think about it during her interview, but she was lovely in a very natural, pure way that he appreciated. She didn’t wear any makeup, but her lips were a naturally lovely pink. She had the bottom one between her teeth, her brows furrowed in focus.
Even though her “eager to prove him wrong” attitude drove him a little crazy, it was actually charming in its own way. She wasn’t just doing it to prove a point—she was doing it because she loved the work. And fine, he could admit to himself that she didn’t write like an amateur, despite her attitude. Her writing was exceptional and took some of his fears that he’d have to show Ross a crumbling publication off his shoulders.
Still, he hadn’t had the courage to open up Alvin’s email. No, he needed to feel more secure in himself to do that. He wasn’t sure why, though. Alvin hadn’t been particularly intimidating when he worked for him, but the idea of Alvin tearing apart his paper when it was still in his infancy hurt. Dane didn’t want to rock his own confidence when each day was still a struggle.
Dane’s eyes drifted back to Alissa. She twirled one of her short curls around a pen absently, like she did it all the time. Then, she brightened like a knot had just come undone and typed furiously.
Dane remembered being that excited about his job. Every article was an adventure and a puzzle for him to solve. Writing an article that did well and had an impact felt like winning a prize every single time. Every well-received article brought him closer to his byline being recognized the world over.
But now it was just this—sitting at his desk, grinding out words and worrying about all of the other things that went with publishing a paper. The romantic side of writing and caring for each word had been replaced with thinking about ad revenue and paper costs.
He sighed, wishing he could steal an ounce of Alissa’s moxie.
“Hi there,” Josie said, stepping into the doorway. The small smirk on her lips made his neck heat. He hadn’t meant to stare at Alissa that long.
“Hi. What do you need?” Dane cleared his throat and rolled closer to his desk.
“Nothing.” Josie’s smile grew as she stepped into his office. She glanced over her shoulder, then leaned forward and whispered, “I think she’s going to work out.”
Dane shook his head. “It’s easy to be enthusiastic. It doesn’t mean anything if the article isn’t good. I have to read her last article.”
The first story he’d given her was much easier, more of a test than anything—he told her to report on a new surf shop opening up on the beach.
The short article had been sitting on his desk since yesterday and he hadn’t read it yet. He wasn’t sure why—was he afraid of it being underwhelming? Of her not working out, despite his open skepticism?
Josie shrugged, not put off by his skepticism. “Go ahead and read it, then. But I say she’s a good choice.”
The phone rang and Josie looked over her shoulder, heading back to her desk. Dane sighed and went into his email to find the article Alissa had sent.
He got up and shut the door to his office. He didn’t want Alissa’s excitement to distract him or sway his opinion on her work.
He sat down and read the article. It was… fantastic. She had taken a mundane business opening and turned it into something exciting by threading in quotes and observations of the people who were excited to shop there.
“Well, then,” he murmured to himself, leaning back in his leather chair. She had done a fantastic job. His mood lifted, just a tiny bit.
* * *
“I’ve been thinking about this all day,” Alissa said, eyeing the sandwich in the red basket in front of her. It was another one of The Crab’s specialties, a twist on a lobster roll with crab.
“I’m not even going to say I’ve overhyped it,” Braden said with a smile. “It’s my favorite sandwich in the world.”
“He’s not kidding,” Monica said, sitting on the same side of the picnic table as her husband. “He’s talked about it in his sleep before.”
Alissa picked up the sandwich and took her first bite under Monica and Braden’s watchful gaze. Flavor exploded on her tongue, followed by a perfect combination of textures. The fresh bread was the perfect vessel from the creaminess of the crab salad tucked inside. Her face must have been lighting up because Monica and Braden’s did too.
“This is amazing,” Alissa said after she swallowed. “I’m going to be dreaming about this too.”
“Loving the crab roll?” Hannah asked, coming out of the restaurant with three blue cocktails on a tray.
