Page 71 of The Haunting Plot

“He makes me feel out of control,” I admit.

“How does he make you feel out of control?”

“My pulse races and none of my normal tricks work to calm it,” I say, finally looking at the screen.

Summer smiles. It’s warm and not the least bit condescending, yet I still feel patronized.

“How did this happen?”

“Well, you two have been spending a lot of time around each other.”

Forced proximity?

“And you act like you hate each other, but your banter is off the charts.”

Enemies to lovers?

“His playful energy is a nice balance to your pragmatic demeanor.”

Opposites attract or black cat/golden retriever?

Summer gives me a quizzical look. Does she know I’m plotting in my head? I understand plot structure and tropes; I’ve written enough books. If I can pinpoint ours, maybe I can figure out what’s happening and how it’ll play out, then weigh all the risks to decide if it’s worth pursuing. Clearly we have sexual chemistry, but that’s only one part of the equation. I can’t admit any of this to Summer, though. Not without blowing my cover.

“It almost sounds like a plot to an Ayana Cox book,” she says. There’s something in her tone that makes my hackles rise.

I glance at the screen, looking for clues. “That romance author you guys read?” I ask, deflecting.

She sighs. “Yeah.”

My mind drifts as I think through what to say. I’ve fought to get where I am today, worked my way up at the newspaper, in the publishing world. With the number of secrets I’m keeping, I struggle to let people in. Mastering the art of deflection was necessary. You can’t be rejected if you’ve already walked away.

But sometimes the burden is too much, and I’m getting tired of running. I have a wonderful group of friends, and I know they’d accept this part of me. Hell, they’d be thrilled to learn that I was their favorite romance author. I’m just not sure I’m ready to share this piece of myself yet.

“So about McKenna’s birthday party,” Summer says, changing the subject. “I’ve got everything planned. Lana has been really helpful in getting ideas from her.”

“Thank you for doing that. I feel bad pawning it off on you. I should be doing it for her, but I feel like I’m dropping the ball with her, and with Jonah. Hell, with work too. If I’m doing well in one area, I’m probably failing at another.”

Summer smiles. “That’s what friends are for. And I totally get it. It was hard managing three kids on my own.”

I’m filled with warmth as I stare at her on the screen. “I’m glad our kids get along.”

“Me too. It would really suck if they didn’t.”

“You know you’d be stuck with me either way. Nothing would stop me from being your friend.”

A curious smile lights up her face. “I’m so glad to hear you say that.”

My brow furrows. “Why’s that? Are you planning on getting me back for tricking you into dating my brother?”

“Only if things didn’t work out and I needed revenge.” She flashes me an evil smile. Well, as evil as Summer can be, which is barely menacing.

“I don’t see that happening. RJ is obsessed with you. You two are stupidly cute.”

“So are you and Sawyer.”

I roll my eyes. “I know what you’re doing.”

“What am I doing?” Her tone conveys the innocence I see through. “I think he could be good for you, and you already said his touch affects you. This is huge. I know touch is tricky for you, but his touch isn’t.”