Page 94 of Love on the Byline

“We absolutely can, after you answer my question.”

“I’ve only been out here a year. I don’t want to jump thequeue just because I have an advantage,” he said, his gaze fixed over her head.She wanted his eyes back on her, but his answer didn’t surprise her.

“I don’t think anyone else in this room would have the samemoral dilemma.”

He snorted. “Perhaps not. But Bran has enough people tryingto use him for this or that.”

She could only imagine. It had been the same in college,from what she recalled. Back then, she saw Bran’s popularity as obnoxious andentitled, had thought he acted as if the world owed him. Granting peoplefavors, and flaunting his access and influence to get his way.

She was beginning to see it for what it was and not much hadchanged, except for the arena.

“I admit, I was surprised when you told me you and he werestill friends. Downright shocked when I found you were working as hisassistant.”

“Does it change what you think of me?” Ollie stared intentlyinto her eyes.

“Does it matter what I think?”

His jaw tightened as he looked away again. “More than yourealize.”

“Hey, it’s a job. And you’re very good at it, from what I’veseen. It’s not like you’re—”

“Using him?”

She was taken aback by the hint of anger in his voice but,behind it, there was genuine fear.

Despite his many talents, Ollie had never seemed sure ofhimself. That he feared being judged by her, or anyone, shouldn’t have been asurprise. But it was.

Back in Philly, he was always seeking Bran’s approval, or soshe had thought. Now she understood that it went much deeper.

“I think you’re a rare person,” she said, draping both armsaround his shoulders. Slowly, Ollie wrapped his other arm around her waist anddrew her closer.

“Rare?” he asked, dubious.

“Yep, unique. I still remember that short story you wrote incollege. The one that won an award?”

His jaw dropped. “What? No, you don’t.”

“I do.” She smiled, enjoying the way his hand felt splayedagainst her back. “There was one line that I still think about, from time totime. To hesitate in love is to suffer the passage of time like a slowneedle piercing the skin.”

Ollie let out a short breath. “I can’t believe you rememberthat. Though, it’s probably the only line I ever wrote that I’m actually proudof.”

“You should be proud, it’s an evocative metaphor.” It was apowerful sentiment, and it still spoke to her. Life was too short to hesitate.It was better to seize the opportunities that presented themselves, enjoy themand make the most of the brief moments.

“Come on,” he said, stepping back as the song ended. Hehelped her off the dance floor, and they made their way back towards theirtable.

Blake tried to wrap her mind around how right it felt tohave her hand in his.

Bran was at a nearby table when they arrived, and he gaveOllie a look that was part smug and part surprise.

“Finished schmoozing already?”

“For now,” Bran replied, rising to his feet.

Beside him sat Valerie Saunders.

Bran offered Blake his seat. “You two looked good out there.Val, you know Ollie.”

“Nice to see you again,” Ollie said as he held out Blake’schair.

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