~*~
Serena startled. She must have fallen asleep reading. Yawning, she glanced at the clock. A few minutes after eleven. On the table beside the bed, her cellphone buzzed. Hoping it wasn't a family member calling with an emergency, she retrieved the phone and focused on the display. She blinked.
COLIN YOUNG.
“Good evening, Mr. Young.” Her pulse raced, and Serena tried to infuse calm into her tone. “What's on your mind?”
Brilliant
. What an ill-advised thing to say to a man at this late hour. She brought a hand up to her forehead. What was she thinking?
“I'm sorry to disturb you, love, but I was hoping you were still awake. If you can, turn on your television. I'm sure you can guess which channel.”
“Hold on a second.” She suppressed her yawn and searched for the remote. Finding it nestled between the sheets and the blanket, she clicked it on. “Got it.”
“I was unwinding and watching the late night news,” he said. “The story coming up after the current commercial break promises to be interesting. I thought perhaps you'd like to see it. So, how was your evening?”
Serena smiled at the casualness of his question. Even as recently as a week ago, she never would have guessed Colin would be calling her at home, late at night. “Uneventful. Yours?” She propped a couple of pillows behind her and leaned back against them.
“I'm still coming down from the high of this afternoon,” he said. “Oh, wait. Here's the story. Hold on. I'm turning up the volume now.”
Colin's television was a few seconds ahead of hers and made for an odd stereo effect. “It was an interesting afternoon on the streets of downtown Philadelphia today,” the male television anchor said. “While on a bus tour of the city and visiting some of our major points of interest, Colin Young, the new morning co-host on
Wake Up, Philadelphia!
encountered some eager fans.”
Serena laughed when she spied Colin darting down Chestnut Street with two middle-aged women in pursuit. Good. Lawrence had taken her suggestion to heart. “So the station did send a camera crew to follow you.”
“Of course they did. I would expect nothing less, but is that all you can say? Do you not see those women chasing after me?” At least he didn't sound perturbed.
“Looks like he's a great addition to
Wake Up, Philadelphia!
” The female anchor, Paulina Kovach, a pretty blonde with dewy skin and glossy lips, smiled directly into the camera. “Welcome to Philadelphia, Colin.”
Serena stiffened. Right. The fawning over Colin had already begun. Why should she be surprised?
Paulina would be sure to meet Colin at the Liberty Bell Ball. Not that Serena paid much attention to idle gossip, but Paulina had reportedly dated most of the media types in Phillyâ¦and then some. Serena had seen the woman flirt with Graham, and she hadn't been the only one. Plus, her ridiculously glowing skin and shiny lips were distracting on camera.
“Serena? Are you still there or have my antics put you to sleep?”
“I'm here,” she said. “It's all in the name of good publicity. Don't be surprised if your visits to different sections of the city become a regular segment on the show.”
“Yes, well, it still would have been more fun if you'd rescued me.”
“Perhaps another time, but I think you'll be perfectly fine. Be on the lookout for a man in a yellow hat.”
“Care to explain that one?”
“Never mind. It's a reference to a fictional character in a series of popular children's books about a monkey and his adventures.”
He paused a moment. “I think I've heard of those. I suppose I should check them out. Thank you for sharing the moment with me tonight, Serena. I'll see you in the morning.”
“Until tomorrow, Colin.” Clicking off the phone, Serena smiled.
3
Wednesday, the Following Week
“I've developed an unexpected fondness for ham with mustard on rye,” Colin said as he sat across from Serena at lunch.
It was the third day in a row they'd met without discussing it beforehand. In his opinion, it was a significant step in moving their friendship forward.
“What's your favorite type of sandwich?” Colin stifled his smile. Scintillating conversation from a man who'd previously interviewed a sitting U.S. president and members of the British Royal Family, among others.
His highest-rated show in Philadelphia to-date had been earlier in the week when he'd asked a popular female celebrity to name the Top Five kissers from among the leading men in her films. The question wasn't written on his cue card, and it had earned him a chastising glance from Gabrielle. He wasn't proud of it, but his question saved the interview from tanking. The actress had launched into his arms and planted a sloppy wet kiss on his lips, making the studio audience go wild.
Until that point, standing behind the scenes, Serena had given him a pleased nod and quietly applauded. After the kiss, she'd disappeared within seconds.
He'd been left to wipe the lipstick from his mouth and plaster on a smile for the cameras while his stomach churned in distaste.
Patting him on the back after the show, Lawrence had proclaimed his question and the kiss a brilliant, if sensationalized, tactic.
Not that it was planned, but Colin accepted the senior producer's kudos without protest although he half expected Serena not to show up for lunch. Much to his relief, she had, and in the two days since.
Colin broke out of his musing. “Serena? What's your favoriteâ?”
“I'm partial to smoked turkey with mustard on wheat.” Serena didn't look at him as she studied the schedule on the small table they shared. At least she'd listened enough to answer his question. After marking a note, she tapped her pencil on the table with one hand and held her sandwich in the other.
“Interesting choice from the woman who most often eats peanut butter and jam.” Reaching for her pencil, he stilled her drumming. “Would you please look at me?”
Serena stopped mid-chew, and Colin waited until she finally lifted her gaze to his.
“I choose to be here for lunch, you know,” he said. “With you.”
“Yes, I'm aware you turned down the offer of lunch with Gabrielle and some of the crew today. If Lawrence asks you again, you really should go.”
Clearing her throat, Serena wiped her mouth with her napkin, leaving him to wonder if she'd purposely ignored or misinterpreted his implication.
“Lawrence isn't used to being turned down, and I can guarantee he doesn't like it.”
“That's not what I meant.” Colin took another bite of his sandwich.
“I know.” Serena avoided looking at him.
“You spend so much time taking care of everyone else. Who takes care of you?”
She didn't answer and shifted on her chair.
“I didn't plan for that actress to kiss me,” he said. “It was purely a misguided impulse on her part.”
Coughing, Serena brought her fist up to her mouth. “Whether or not you planned it, it's none of my business.”
“I didn't enjoy it.”
She took another bite, chewing slowly. “I could tell. Again, it's not my business.”
“I'm aware she arrived at the station sopping drunk and you forced three cups of black coffee down her throat so she'd be somewhat coherent for the interview.”
Serena's eyes widened. “I wanted to cancel the interview, but I was overruled. You did what you could and the show ended up with very impressive ratings. Kudos.”
Colin's lips thinned with displeasure. “It's not all about ratings from my perspective. The producers should have listened to you, Serena. Your instincts are very good. I daresay
Wake Up, Philadelphia!
wouldn't be the show it is without your capable machinations, for lack of a better word, behind the scenes.”
He'd gotten off-track, but he needed her to understand he believed in her and had the utmost faith in her abilities. She was one of the most competent women he'd ever known.
“Thank you,” she said. “That means a lot.”
“It's only the truth, love. Now back to kissing.”
Serena sputtered and a small laugh escaped. “Must we talk about that?”
“Yes, I believe we do. You see, if I'm going to kiss someone, I'd rather it be a woman who's much more down to earth. Someone who's very efficient at her job yet possesses a fun, underlying sense of humor. A lovely woman with a great sense of style who prefers vintage clothing and wears it well. A woman who is perhaps misunderstood.”
Leaning his elbow on the table, Colin rested his chin on one hand and grinned. “Someone who likes turkey with mustard but most often eats peanut butter and grape jam. Actually, I consider peanut butter and jam a spectacular choice.”
The pink in her cheeks deepened. “Smoked turkey with mustard. On wheat. To be exact.”
He liked to make her blush. “Yes, you do like things to be exact, don't you? Everything in its place. Here's a thought. Why don't you come with me Saturday night to the downtown mission? I've offered to help serve a meal, and there's to be a time of singing. A pastor will speak afterwards.”
Serena gnawed on a carrot stick as she surveyed him for a long moment. “Why are you flirting with me?” The corners of her mouth curled. “And making analogies between sandwiches and women?”
His laughter echoed throughout the dimly lit, quiet studio. “Fine. I can be as forthright as you, love. Laying it all on the line, as you Americans like to say. I'd like to spend time with you, get to know you outside of work. I thought perhaps weâ”
“Am I a challenge to you? Is that it?” The little line between her brows appeared. Not a promising sign.
“Give me something to chew on here,” he said. “What goes on in that mind of yours, behind those enigmatic blue eyes? We've worked together a few weeks, and I'd rather hoped your opinion of me might have perhaps been raised a notch.” Grabbing one of her carrot sticks, Colin began some gnawing of his own.
Finished with her sandwich, Serena folded the plastic wrapper into a precise little square.
When her persistent frown line refused to go away, Colin tamped down the overwhelming inclination to smooth it away.
“I can admit I misjudged you when you first arrived,” she said. “Based on the kind and caring man I've gotten to know since you've been here.”
“Thank you for that.” He considered her words a victory, but he also needed to know if she shared the strong attraction he sensed between them. “Can you look me in the eye and tell me you feel nothing romantically for me? Emotionally, intellectually, physically, and in every other way?”
After Colin heard her sharp intake of breath, he was thankful Serena didn't square her shoulders, slide down from her chair, and then swiftly depart.
He leaned close and captured her eye contact. “If you feel nothing for me, then I suppose that's the end of the discussion. A simple yes or no will suffice.”
Serena held his gaze and then slowly inclined her head. “I can't deny there's something there, Colin, but I don't know what to do with the attraction. There are overriding factors. Besides the fact that it's inappropriate to date since we work together, Iâ”
“From what I've seen, there's quite a lot of fraternizing that goes on between station employees. I have yet to see anything written in stone that two co-workers can't enjoy one another's company outside of working hours. I know nothing about so-called overriding factors. You and the Liberty Bell, eh? Roped off and unapproachable?”
“I wouldn't say that.” She darted a quick glance at him before looking away. “Exactly.” She tossed the plastic wrapper at him.
Chuckling, Colin ducked. “I'll keep trying then.”
Serena went back to studying her list. “You do that. What time Saturday night? I'll meet you at the mission.”
He broke into a wide grin. “We need to report for duty at five o'clock, the meal is served at six, and the meeting begins at seven. You'll be home by nine, ten at the latest. Does that suit you?”
“Yes,” she said, smiling. “It suits. I'll look forward to it.”
A few moments later, when Colin bent to retrieve the discarded wrapper on the floor, something in Serena's handbag caught his eye. A child's storybook of some sort, rather worn on the edges. No wonder she needed such a large purse. It didn't take a detective to know that a woman who carted a child's book in her purse was likely more than a nanny, a big sister, or an aunt.
Did Serena have a child? If she did, that would explain why she closed her office door at certain times each day. Why she sported random food stains on her clothingâin places where little hands might touchâand often carried the faint scent of bubblegum, grape, or green apple. It could be an explanation for why she never went out with her co-workers after work.
Colin suspected this was what Gabrielle had hinted at with her little mystery clue. Was Serena divorced? Maybe she'd been burned by a man who'd loved her and then left her alone to raise their child? Perhaps he was jumping to conclusions, but his gut instinct told him his assumption was correct in that she had a child. But instead of wanting to run in the opposite direction from her as far and as fast as possible, he felt an irresistibly strong tug on his heart.
Serena would reveal to him what she wanted, when she wanted. If she wanted.
Pray for her, Colin, and be her friend.
Yes, that's exactly what he'd do.
~*~
Thursday Evening
Prepping for an upcoming interview, Colin sat in his office when Toni from the housekeeping crew came to empty his trash basket. “I'm sorry, Mr. Young. I didn't know you were still here. I'll come back later.” She started to head back into the hallway.
“Nonsense. Come in, love. And please call me Colin.” He angled his head to where he'd moved the basket across the room. A few wadded papers had missed their mark and lay scattered on the floor. “At the rate I'm going, I daresay I'll fill it up again in the next hour. Best to empty it now.”