Page 53 of The House on Firefly Beach
“The girl who gets upset when she hasn’t built an empire by her first day on the job,” he said, huffing out an affectionate laugh. “It’s only a couple of pieces. The people reading them will know that your comfort level will build as you go. You’ll get there. And I think they’ll see the potential. Your writing is incredible, Syd.”
His encouraging tone was like finally catching her breath after being under water.
“Do you know what the difference is between you and all the people who fail?”
Sydney shook her head, drinking in his reassurance.
“Motivation.”
“Lots of people are motivated,” she countered. “You put too much faith in me.”
“Yes, people are, but they don’t have the level of motivation you have. Look at you: you’re in tears before you’ve even written the pieces. And you think it’s because you aren’t qualified, for some ridiculous reason, but I think, deep down, it’s because youwantit. And I know you. You won’t sleep at night until you get it. Those wheels will turn relentlessly,” he said, tapping his temple, “until you get an idea that satisfies you. Remember that little exercise you used to do to help me think?”
“The messages on trees?”
“Yes. It worked because I need to move and I’m visual. But you’re introspective. Look inside yourself and break it down one thing at a time.”
“If I’m breaking it down one thing at a time, it isn’t just theNY Pulsejob. I have to come up with a cover for Mary Alice’s magazine, and I’m having a little trouble with it too.”
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
She told him about her idea for a couple on the cover, and the more she said her ideas out loud, the more vibrant they became. No one could tap into her frequency like Nate could. She’d forgotten how great he was at pulling ideas out of her, and she could always do the same for him. They were great together.Were, she reminded herself.
“I don’t have anyone to do the shoot for the cover photo, though,” she said. “I’ve contacted a few modeling agencies and talent agencies, and I’ve seen some headshots, but finding someone close enough to Firefly Beach who can live up to my visual image is tough. Do you think there’s any way we could get Juliana to agree to do the shoot, or would it bring back too many painful memories?”
“I think it’s worth explaining it to her,” he said. “This would be more informal than her typical shoots, right?”
“Yes. I’ve emailed the local photographer Gavin Wilson and he’s agreed to do the shoot. We’d use mostly natural light, and the beach, so the set would be minimal. I was hoping to have the two of you, hand-in-hand, walking down the beach.” She threw in that last bit just to be indulgent.
“You want me to be in it?”
“The back of you, yes.”
“So you and I would work together?” There was a playful suggestiveness in his eyes when he said it.
“For thatoneday.” She wasn’t going to totally give in to his charm.
“I like the sound of that,” he said. “We’ll ask Juliana. Want me to text her right now?” He pulled out his phone.
Sydney put her hand on his to stop him, and her gesture worked because his movements became still. He let go of his phone and twisted his hand under hers, peering down at her fingers as if they were some sort of delicate seashell that might break if he handled it incorrectly. The tips of his fingers stroked her palm before she pulled her hand away, her heart thumping like crazy.
“Right,” he said, on an inhale, and then cleared his throat. “Work. What’s the first topic?”
“Sorry?” she asked, trying to regain her focus.
“The first topic you have to write for the magazine? We’re trying to work through your problems, right?”
“I’m not sure yet,” she said. “I wish I could talk to someone who’s done this sort of thing to pick their brain on structure and length before I start writing.”
Nate picked his phone back up and began to scroll through his contacts, stopping on one. “I must have someone who can give you a quick pep-talk.” He studied the screen, scrolling up. “If not, I’ve got a massage therapist…” He gave her a smirk, scrolling again because he obviously knew it was a stretch.
Sydney rolled her eyes and leaned over to look with him. When she did, she caught sight of Mary Alice’s name in his phone—no last name, just her first name as if she were one of his close friends.How odd, Sydney thought. It wasn’tthatodd. They’d known each other since childhood, but they hadn’t been close growing up. The phone contact, coupled with what she’d just learned about him talking Mary Alice into moving back to Firefly Beach, gave Sydney pause.
“See anyone interesting?” he asked, his brows pulling together as he looked at her. Only then did she realize she’d been staring at his phone.
Curious or not, it wasn’t any of her business. It was better just to let it go.
Startling her, Nate’s phone came to life. “One sec,” he said, standing up and walking over to the doorway. “Hello?” His broad shoulders were hunched just slightly as he leaned forward to take the call. “You’re kidding…” He began pacing slowly, a smile crawling across his face. “When does he want me there? …Absolutely. Talk soon.” Nate ended the call and came back over to the table. “I’ve got a pretty big writing retreat to go to.”
