Page 86 of Love on the Byline

“Your make-up looks nice,” the girl replied, skirting thequestion. “Were you going somewhere? I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about that.” In her bag, her phone buzzed butshe ignored it. “I can get you something to eat, if you want.”

“I ate at home.” Micah glanced around. “I just didn’t wantyou coming there, in case someone saw you. You asked me if I knew anyone elsewho worked with that company. The talent agency.”

“Yeah, do you?”

“This pop singer out east. I don’t know her, but my friend does.Says she signed with them in New York,” Micah said. “They used a different namethen, but it’s the same people. If you find her, she can probably tell you whatyou want to know.”

“That’s great!” She pulled out her notebook. “What’s thesinger’s name?”

“Yara. Yara Bujold.” That definitely rang a bell, and shemade a mental note to Google her in the morning.

Blake smiled. “Thank you, Micah. I’ll try to reach out toher first thing tomorrow.”

Micah glanced around, flinching when someone honked theirhorn at the two women.

“You should get home. You want a lift?”

“No, no. I’m good.”

“Need some money? I don’t have much, but—”

“Nah, miss. I don’t need your money.” Micah shook her head.“I just want you to tell the world who these assholes are that hurt my girl.”

“I’ll do whatever I can,” she said, knowing she couldn’tpromise justice for these kids.

Micah nodded and Blake watched her duck around the side ofthe restaurant. Her phone vibrated in her hand.

OLLIE: The car will be there in 10 to pick you up.

“Shit.” She jumped back into her car and typed out a quickreply, telling him she was running late and would meet him at the venue.

OLLIE: No worries. I’ll be waiting.

She refused to entertain the idea of why those three wordsgave her butterflies.

19

“It’s cute that you’re so nervous,” Bran said, casually.

Ollie spun in his seat. “Why would I be nervous?” He was metby a knowing smirk. “Okay, fine. I’m nervous. Blake is… She’s…”

“A beautiful, smart, single woman into whose pants you wishto get?”

“God, you’re an idiot.” Rolling his eyes, he went back tolooking out the window.

Bran’s low chuckle filled the back of the SUV. “It’s tooeasy to bust your balls.”

“Try resisting sometime.”

“Oh, I do,” Bran said, laughing louder. “All the time.Listen, Ols… I was skeptical about this whole profile thing, even with Blakewriting it, but she’s solid. I like her. And she’s nice to look at,” he added,casually.

Alarm bells went off in his head, and he turned to face him.

“Oh my God, look at your face!” Bran cackled.

“What the fuck is so funny?”

---