Page 24 of Love Is…?

“Yes, despite that enormous character flaw.” She grinned again. “Do you want to?”

Kyle shrugged. “I can do that. Haven’t had huge experience, mind you. I’m forty-three and not prime real estate. But I’m notgonna be sticking up a for sale sign anyway, ‘cause I’ve been happily married for ten years.”

Jayde beamed. “That’s gold!” She pointed to the phone. “So glad I caught that. Right. Tell me more about marriage, and real estate.”

The interview lasted forty-five minutes, and Kyle seemed chuffed to have helped.

“Who else are you interviewing? Anyone here?” he said, gesturing to the ceiling, clearly meaning people upstairs.

Jayde returned the stool back to its original spot. “Tom, when he’s got a moment.”

“Good luck finding one.”

They shared a nod of understanding.

“There’s the Metro card customer service guy at the station, the manager atJay’s, and the barista atDonny’s.” Jayde gestured with her chin.Donny’swas at the end of her street on the east side of the city, only ten kilometres from where she stood; a fact which Google Maps had shown, quite independently, all on its own, without any input from Jayde’s fingers as surely she hadn’t been thinking of Tessa at the time that Google Maps became sentient. Jayde shook her head at herself. Seriously.

“Sam’s upstairs if you want to grab her before she flies to Sydney.” Kyle stood, taking up more space than a human really should, and guided her through the side door into the garage and over to the internal lift.

If someone insistedthat a label be slapped on Abby’s fiancée, Jayde reckoned she’d go with Tall Extra Light Butch With A Side Of Quirk.

Samantha stuck out her hand. “I’m stoked to meet you, Jayde,” she enthused. “Abby’s been raving about how this interview structure is the best she’s ever had to deal with, which is high praise, and apparently you’re a big factor in achieving that ‘best’ label, so well done.”

She beamed. Even her straight shoulder length blonde hair radiated happiness.

Jayde blinked, then she felt a smile of fascinated joy creep onto her face. Samantha Markson was wonderful, and Jayde immediately wanted to spend hours chatting and hanging out. She could totally see why Abby and Samantha were together. What an awesome couple.

“It’s great to meet you as well, Samantha. I’ve been?—”

“Nope.”

Jayde snapped her mouth shut. What had she done?

Samantha waggled her finger. “Sam. Not Samantha.”

After a sigh of relief, Jayde nodded. “Gotcha. Sam it is.”

“Good. I love my name, but I’m more a Sam. Took the Americans ages to wrap their heads around mangling words.” She chuckled, then gestured to the dining table. “Grab a seat.”

Pulling out a chair, Jayde huffed a laugh. “I bet servo was the killer.”

That drew a loud laugh. “You’re not wrong.” Then Sam patted the space between them. “I’ve got to get back in an hour so let’s start. I’m your next victim, right?” She grinned. “Will this be in Abby’s profile or your book?”

Jayde started. “TheLovers of Melbourne?”

“Yep. Heard about it, and I’m looking forward to reading it when it’s out. I’ll get you to sign it for me.”

Feeling incredibly touched, Jayde smiled. “Well, I’d like to use our interviews in Abby’s profile, if that’s okay. The editor has decided to break the essay into four parts, which is clever.” She touched her fingertips together then pulled them apart asif stretching a rubber band. “Keeps the reader involved. It also creates space to toss in more ads, I imagine.”

They shared a quick laugh.

“Anyway, I’m hoping to make part three about found family love. I’ll be asking Abby, of course, but I’d like to hear your thoughts, and Grace’s. I figured you all fit that section of the profile.”

Sam sat back in her chair, and gave Jayde a long look. “Goodo. Part three seems fair enough.” She gave a one shoulder shrug. “I can talk about Abby and how amazing, and gorgeous, and kind she is until the cows come home, but cheers for the heads up.” Then she hummed. “What’s part one, two, and four?”

It was almost physical. Jayde heard—no,felt—the steel. Sam was affable, friendly, humorous, easygoing. Yet behind those approachable brown eyes was a version of Sam who was highly protective of her family, and Jayde knew that if she stormed the Taylor-Markson castle, she’d be met by a one-woman battalion, armed to the hilt, and ready to die in the defence of her people.

Jayde matched the intensity of Sam’s gaze. “I know Abby’s praise of this essay and interview process goes a long way to settling everyone’s nerves about having some random person in your house, but let me add this. You have allowed me to access your home, your life, your family, your thoughts and I would never abuse that trust. Sure, this contract withCultureis a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, but I would rather refuse every opportunity from now until forever than hurt any of you.”

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