Page 36 of California Waves

He showed Hersch through to an enormous living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased the ocean view. Jay Malone, sitting on a cream leather couch, jumped to his feet and came straight over to shake Hersch’s hand like they had already made a deal. Hersch was thankful to have something to focus on besides the view. Jay was wearing a sharp navy suit. Did the man ever give himself a minute off?

Archer told Hersch to make himself comfortable. “I’m so happy to have a real-life hero in my living room,” he said. “It’s an honor.”

Hersch tried not to cringe. He was anything but a hero, but these two men kept insisting otherwise. Rather than taking a seat right away, Hersch turned his back on the windows to look at the art. Archer was obviously a collector. He was drawn to a group of paintings that were different, softer and more expressive than some of the others. “Are these Tessa Taylor’s paintings? I saw an exhibition of her work. They’re beautiful.”

Archer looked like Hersch had just paid him the greatest compliment in the world. “Yes, wow. I can’t believe you recognize her style. I’m always telling Tessa she’s one of a kind, but she doesn’t believe me. She’ll be thrilled when I tell her that Herschel Greenfield spotted her work and liked it.” Then, almost as though he were giving away state secrets, he said, “We’re engaged.”

“Congratulations.”

“Just announced it to the press last night,” Jay said in his forceful way.

“Tessa’s very talented,” Hersch said. He looked carefully at Archer’s face, realizing as he did that he was seeking traces of Mila there. What had that taken—two minutes before he was thinking about Mila again?

Jay guided Hersch to a chair, and Arch poured him a cup of coffee.

“I was reading online that your movie with Smith Sullivan is coming out soon. Congratulations.”

Arch smiled, but it was a modest smile. “Ah, thanks. We’re pretty excited about it. The movie had a great screenwriter and director, and the crew were just amazing. They made it easy for me. Plus, I was working with my best bud, which helps.”

“I’m sure that your breaking your leg on set will help with ticket sales,” Jay interjected. To Hersch, he said, “The man never broke character, so they kept filming.”

Hersch was amazed that Archer was so down-to-earth. He’d been expecting to meet a flashy, self-involved guy, but Archer just seemed like a regular Joe who happened to be good-looking. “I hear Mila sold you a house,” Arch said. “She’s a great Realtor, but she’ll have you out surfing if you give her half a chance. We all surf. You’ll have to come out with us sometime.”

Hersch felt himself relax and realized he’d very much been on his guard until now. “I’d like that a lot,” he said. Which was true even if it was unlikely. “I’ve been missing doing a range of outdoor activities. I used to compete in Ironman, but I sat the last one out.”

Jay clapped his hands and said, “Arch has done an Ironman. Just one, though—not fifteen.”

Hersch shuddered a little at the research Jay had obviously been doing. But luckily Archer stepped in and said, “It’s hard work and a lot of commitment. I’m not sure I’ll ever do another one.”

Archer had a warmth and sincerity about him that immediately put Hersch at ease. “I’m not sure I’ll ever do another one either,” he admitted. “Now I run to keep in shape.”

“I run too. Clears the mind.”

“Yes,” said Jay, “that would be a great way for you guys to get to know one another better. You see, Herschel, for this movie, we want to go deep into character. We want it to be an authentic character study. From your modest beginnings, through to your training for the space program, a successful mission that leads to near tragedy. And you, making sure everyone else got out safely. It’s going to be comprehensive and gut-wrenching, and I just know it’s going to inspire millions.” Jay sat back, looking pretty pleased with himself.

Hersch was about to protest when he heard a woman’s voice call Archer’s name—a familiar voice—and in walked Mila, holding what looked like the dress bag she’d been carrying the other day. His stomach flipped. Every time he saw her, she took his breath away. She was wearing worn jeans and a loose sweater, and her long hair was wound into a bun at the nape of her neck. She knew how to be a goddess on sea and land both, and it never failed to amaze him. What was she doing here?

Mila obviously hadn’t expected to see him either. A split second of confusion, and then her eyes lit up. She was as pleased to see him as he was her. He wanted to leap up from his seat and kiss her senseless and take her far from here to somewhere private. Like his bed. From the way her eyes opened wide and her cheeks flushed as she took in the scene, he was almost certain she was experiencing the same fantasy.

Archer said to Mila, “Can’t a man have some privacy in his own home? You ever heard of knocking? I gave you all the key code for emergencies, not so you could waltz in here like you’re about to sell the place.”

Mila quickly recovered her composure. “Is this a secret boys’ club meeting? Shall I go and leave you to your treehouse?”

Arch laughed. “What are you doing here, anyway? And what is that?”

“I came to drop something off for Tessa,” Mila explained. “And no, don’t ask me any more. It’s none of your business.”

Hersch smiled a small smile, enjoying their sibling squabble.

“Come on, you two,” Jay said fondly, clearly having been a witness to their banter many times before. “We’re having an informal meeting. No biggie.” He looked at Mila and then Hersch and back again.

Hersch suddenly felt exposed. Could Jay tell that he had a crush on Mila as big as the moon?

Jay said, “What would you think about your brother playing Herschel in a biopic?”

Mila turned on him. “If you bullied him into this, Jay, I swear I’ll—”

“We’re just talking,” Hersch interrupted.

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