Page 90 of The Small-Town Seduction Plan

“Tessa’s big news,” I explain, greeting her with a hug. It feels like only yesterday she was running ragged at that wedding trying to get me down the aisle. Now, I couldn’t be happier we failed– and that she and Josh are still going strong. “Did you hear?”

“About the baby?” Hazel grins. “Way ahead of you.”

“What?” JJ protests, and Tessa gives her a hug.

“Who do you think I’ve been calling for advice every time I freak out over a bodily function? She’s been there, and seen it all.”

“Good point,” JJ agrees. “And hopefully, I never will!”

My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s an LA number. “I think it’s my agent, I’ll be right back,” I tell them, slipping away to a quiet corner of the ruins, overlooking the beach. Duke’s been telling me about the sunroom he wants to build here, and I can’t wait to have my morning coffee looking out at the ocean. In his arms.

“Hello?” I answer, trying to block the laughter and music.

“Avery, hi. It’s Maddy. Madeline Marrone?”

I gulp. “Maddy, hi, what’s up?” I ask, trying to sound casual, even as my heart is racing wildly in my chest.

She’s probably calling to let me down gently, I try to tell myself. Break the news in person that she’s going with someone else– the way I always knew she would.

“… so if you’re still available, I don’t have your new agent’s details so?—”

“Wait, what?” I interrupt, realizing I missed everything she just said. “Could you repeat that again?”

“I was asking if you can make an October start date,” Madeline says. “I know it’s last-minute, but financing just came through, and I want to shoot this before winter. If you still want the role,” she adds, and I just about fall to the ground in a dead faint.

Do I still want it?!

“Yes!” I blurt, stunned. “Oh my god, yes! Wow,” I try to catch my breath, pacing. “I’m sorry, I just… I haven’t heard from you, and I was so sure you’d moved on.”

Madeline chuckles. “To tell the truth, I wasn’t sure about your commitment to making a film like this. But when I heard you turned down Brady Hendricks, and walked from that action sequel… well, I respect that. I’m excited about what we can do together.”

My heart sings. “Me too.”

We make arrangements to get on a proper call in the morning, and hang up. I rush back to the party on cloud nine, arriving just as the others are chorusing, “Dig! Dig!” at a reluctant-looking Duke.

“The trucks don’t get here until next week!” he protests, but Jackson presents him with a shovel all the same.

“It’s tradition,” I call, enjoying his grumpy misery as the center of attention. “You smash a bottle of champagne at a ship launch, and you break ground at a breaking ground celebration!”

Duke sighs, and wields the shovel, digging it into the dusty ground. “There. Satisfied?”

Everyone cheers.

I go to kiss him, still flying from my news. But before I can say anything, Tessa hands me a plate of cake.

“Avery, you better prepare for the nightmare of construction,” she warns me. “Even reenovating the B&B almost drove me mad.”

“Oh, I’m keeping well clear of this mess,” I declare brightly.

“We’re staying at my place until this place is completely done,” Duke explains.

“Also… I’m going to be on set all fall,” I add, beaming. “Shooting a movie.”

Duke grips my hand, searching my face. “Wait, was that?—”

“Madeline calling.” I nod. “She wants me for the role!”

Duke whoops, picking me up and spinning me around in a whirl of pure celebration. “I knew you could do it,” he says, finally setting me down. But he doesn’t let me go, he cups my cheeks in his hands, beaming down at me. He looks so proud, it makes my heart sing even louder. “I told you, once people see your talent, they’ll all fall in love with you– the way I have.”

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