Page 77 of The Small-Town Seduction Plan

Christmas in Blackberry Cove?

I pause, surprisingly tempted by that idea. “Maybe,” I reply lightly. “Who knows how much longer this career exile is going to last? I might need to apply for a full-time gig in the drama department if my agent keeps ducking my calls,” I add, only half kidding. Max has been giving me the silent treatment all week, and even my messages about my meeting with Madeline didn’t spur more than a couple of thumbs up emoji texts.

It doesn’t take a mindreader to know, he’s lost faith in me and my career.

Duke squeezes my hand. “Don’t say that,” he murmurs. “You know how talented you are. All the gossip has been dying down, and you’ll get offers flooding in, soon enough.”

“I’ll take a trickle at this point,” I reply, touched by his faith in me– even if he doesn’t realize how long Hollywood can hold a grudge sometimes. “But either way, it’s going to take some time. So…” I check the festival program. “Who wants to see an interpretive dance performance of ‘Twelfth Night’, set in a futuristic alien wasteland?”

Duke groans.

I beam. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes’!”

We all head out to enjoy the rest of the festival. There are some gems of a production– and also some hilarious stinkers, too, but I can tell, the quality isn’t the point. Nobody’s here because they’re hoping to get scouted by some big shot Hollywood manager, or launch their Broadway career. No, most of the performers are here for the love of Shakespeare, and the chance to do something fun with all their friends.

Duke and I load up on snacks, and re-join Suze and Lori, who have set up camp with Jackson and Tessa.

“Come, sit!” Tessa waves me over. “We were just saying, we need to have a big party before the end of summer. Duke, you can host.”

“I must have forgotten volunteering,” he says good-naturedly.

“Your place is huge, and I’m all hosted out from B&B duties,” she argues.

“Plus, when you think ‘welcoming good-time guy’, you’re the first one who comes to mind,” I tease him. Duke grins.

“Me? I’m the life of the party. As long as I can leave it by nine.”

“Nine?” Jackson hoots with laughter. “You’re usually long-gone by then– if you even show up at all. Avery must be a good influence.”

Now I’m the one who has to laugh. A good influence? So far, I’ve been seducing Duke every chance I get, and had the man on the front pages looking like he should be arrested for public indecency.

And loved every minute of it.

My phone buzzes in my bag, and I fish it out. It’s Max – and there are about a dozen missed calls from him, too. My heart sinks.

“What is it?” Duke leans over.

“My agent.” I sigh. He sees my reluctance.

“It could be good news,” Duke reminds me gently, and I manage a faint smile.

“Sure.”

And it could also be some new disaster turning my life upside down again.

Gee, which has better odds?

“I’ll be right back.”

I get up, and weave my way through the crowd to a quiet spot on the edge of the green. “Hello?” I answer, bracing myself for the worst. Did one of my supposed friends just give a tell-all interview claiming I had an affair with one of the Kardashians? Is Max going to try and talk me into appearing on a reality show, naked on some island with my ex?

“What took you so long?” Max demands. “I’ve been calling all day.”

“Sorry,” I reply. “I’m here now. What’s up?”

“Who’s your favorite agent in the world?” he asks, sounding pumped.

“Umm, the one who cuts the bullshit and just tells me what’s going on?” I reply, getting even more nervous now.

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