Page 85 of Nathan
“It’s the same number,” Jacob said and put his thumb on the green button. “Yes?”
I shook my head and took a large gulp of my beer.
“Look, I can’t help ye, love. Nathan is too busy to give any interviews.” Jerking his head back, Jacob frowned. “How did ye know?” His eyes glared around the bar as he held a hand across the phone. “Oh bloody hell, I thinks she’s here, watching us.”
We all turned in our seats to scan the room, and from the bar, a young woman stood up and walked toward us.
“Oh no!” I sunk lower in my seat.
“Hi.” The woman stopped at our table and gave a shy wave of her hand. With the way she clutched her purse in front of her and bit down on the edge of her lower lip, I wouldn’t have taken her for someone confident enough to stalk me for an interview.
“Hello.” Jacob looked like he couldn’t decide if he should be standoffish to protect me or flirtatious to suit his own needs. She was exactly his type with her short height, apple cheeks, and clothes that made her look more like a librarian than a woman out to have fun at a bar.
“My name is Lucille Baker,” she said with her eyes fixed on my shoulder as if she didn’t quite have the nerve to approach me head-on.
The moment she said her name, things clicked into place. She had looked familiar with her glasses, and that brown hair hanging to her shoulders with straight bangs that reached just under her eyebrows.
“You’re the woman who interviewed Serena.” It wasn’t a question, but she still nodded to confirm it.
“I am.” Her accent was British, like in the interview I’d seen online.
“How did you find me?”
Lucille lifted her phone. “Someone gave me a tip to where you’d be.”
“Who?” My mind raced to sum up the people who knew where I’d be tonight.
“It wasn’t me,” Jacob said, and the other two quickly followed.
“My source feels that you’ve been unfairly treated in the media and would like to turn the conversation to something more positive.”
Lucille Baker radiated such vulnerability and innocence that it was hard to turn her down.
“Are ye one of those reporters who’ll spin the story to make our friend look bad?” Liam asked with suspicion.
Jacob didn’t allow Lucille time to answer. “I already told ye Nathan is too busy, but since ye’re here, how about a dance?”
“No thank you. I’m not here to dance.” She gave him a quick glance before she found the courage to meet my eyes. “I only have a few questions, and wouldn’t you like people to hear your side of the story?”
“Nah, I’m good. They’ve already made up their mind anyway. There’s no point.”
Jacob wasn’t known to take no for an answer and pushed out from the booth. “Tell ye what, if ye dance with me, I’ll put in a good word with Nathan.”
Lucille looked conflicted, and her eyes darted from Jacob and back to me. “It doesn’t have to take long.”
With my elbow on the table, I rested my chin in my palm and watched her. Serena had trusted this young woman, and she did have a sweetness to her that was endearing. “I’ll think about it while you dance with Jacob.”
Jacob flashed a grin and held out his hand to Lucille. With a last glance in my direction, she took it and followed him to the small dance floor.
Liam leaned closer to me. “Now, ye have to give her an interview, mate. That’s quite a sacrifice she’s making.”
We all turned our head to watch Jacob swing Lucille around and step on her toes a few times.
“It’s fine. I owe him for letting me use his cabin.”
With a slap on my back, Liam gave an amused snort. “Nah, I’d say it’s Jacob who owes ye for this one. She’s a fine one, and ye know he always had a thing for the English.”
We watched our friend do his best to charm Lucille on the dance floor. When they came back after the song ended, Jacob kept his word and put in a good word for her.
