Catching Mr. Right--A Clean Romance

by Carol Ross

  Pausing for a breath, she continued, “We agreed to keep Seth and Victoria time separate from Romeo Reels time, and that seemed like the perfect idea.” Without thinking, her hand came up again to touch the necklace. “But then, after I got here, I realized we weren’t going to have a chance for Seth and Victoria time. We weren’t going to have time to do any of those things, much less a first date, or even a first kiss. I feel like we’re being watched. Not in a creepy way, but in like it might get noticed if we spend time together in that way.

  “And then Scarlett called and... I didn’t, I don’t, want to lay all my problems on you.”

  * * *

  SHE WAS WEARING the necklace.

  Seth felt relief and affection mix in this odd way inside of him, like a chemical reaction bubbling over and making him want to laugh. But he didn’t. He’d never want Victoria to think he was laughing at her. Because he wasn’t. It was pure relief. And joy, because he couldn’t help but fixate briefly on the looking forward to things she’d listed. Like their first pizza, first date, first kiss...

  Nodding slowly, he tried to process all this information. Good news, mostly. If he hadn’t talked to Henry, he might never have ended up here tonight. He owed Henry huge.

  But first, he and Vic needed to clarify a few things. “That is very thoughtful of you,” he said carefully.

  “I’m glad you understand.” She gave him a weak smile. “I have a lot of baggage, and that’s not fair to you to have to pack it around with me. It’s better this way. You need to focus on putting on the best performance you can.”

  “Hmm. So, if you were to talk to me about all of this, would that somehow take away from you turning in your best performance?”

  “No, of course not. The opposite, I think. At least, that’s how I felt...before. In fact, I couldn’t wait for you to get here.”

  “Before what?” he asked, liking that last part an awful lot.

  “Before I talked to my ex. I was already struggling with feeling overwhelmed and insecure about the show. And then he tells me this thing and, boom, it was like being slingshotted backward to our past. There’s a lot there, Seth. Things I can’t talk about. And now he wants to use Scarlett to help him get what he wants, just like he used me, like he uses everyone. And I can’t be there for Scarlett right now. The timing is so terrible that I would accuse him of doing it on purpose to sabotage me if I thought he was that clever.”

  “I see. Well, I still think I should get to decide whether listening to my girlfriend’s problems, supporting her, maybe offering to help or at least provide some comfort, would affect me and my performance.”

  “Girlfriend?” she repeated, her expression softening, her body visibly relaxing.

  He shrugged. “You put the necklace back on. That suggests to me that you still have feelings for me, right?”

  Tears were shining in her eyes. “Seth, I have all the feelings. In fact, I might have too many feelings. The reason I took it off was because I wanted to follow the rules we established and keep everything separate. But I don’t think I can do that, which is why I told you that we should just focus on our Romeo Reels time. When this is over, maybe we can... Try again.”

  “Try again? Is that what you want? Or is that what you think is best for me?”

  “Best for you,” she answered immediately. “Because, Seth, look at me, I am a hot mess. That’s not an easy thing for me to admit. I pride myself on always being prepared. Composed. But today was like a perfect storm of everything going wrong, and I... It’s been a struggle, a struggle that I don’t want to drag you into.”

  “If that’s all that’s going on, then no.”

  “No?”

  “I don’t like this plan. I should get a say in this, too. And I want to try still. Not again. I want to be with you whenever I can. I don’t care if it’s five minutes in the evenings, or seventeen seconds in the morning, or touching your hand under the table, or passing you in the hall where I can just look my fill, or texting and calling if that’s truly all we have time for. But I want to know that you’re mine. Because I want to be yours, Victoria. Whatever that means right now. When I said that to you about keeping the time separate, I didn’t know I was going to fall for you as hard as I have. Or that our schedule would be quite so packed.”

  “Oh.”

  “We can carve out space for some of the things you were looking forward to. We just need to plan, yet also be spontaneous. Take advantage of opportunities that arise.”

  She nodded, looking relieved and agreeable and so beautiful that he could not wait any longer to touch her.

  “Like our first kiss, for example. Maybe now would be the perfect moment to cross that off your list.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  BECAUSE I WANT to be yours, Victoria, played over again in her mind followed by, Whatever that means right now. And by not pressuring her, by giving her as much space as she needed, those words meant everything.

  “Well,” she said, smiling even as her heart became a frantic bass drum beating inside of her chest. “First kiss is definitely not on the schedule, but I suppose in keeping with your call for spontaneity, we could make time for it.”

  Eyes sparkling, mouth hinting at a smile, his expression held both joy and satisfaction.

  Intending to close the remaining distance, she stepped toward him. But he was moving now, too, and met her halfway. She brought her arms up, winding one around his shoulders and using the other to grip the back of his neck.

  Securing his hands around her waist, he stared down at her for a few seconds, heightening her anticipation. Then he dipped his head until his mouth hovered just above hers. She could smell the minty sweetness of his breath as he whispered, “First kiss. Finally.”

  “Finally,” she repeated, just before he pressed his lips to hers in a kiss so gentle, yet so intense that it took her breath away. She had to close her eyes. If she’d been overwhelmed by sensations earlier, now she was overcome. And awed. But in the best possible way.

  Like she was hyperaware of her own body, and his, and every incredible sensation flowing through them. The crazy fast beat of her heart, the rush of blood through her veins, the heat of his skin, his silky smooth hair sliding through her fingers, and the soft sounds coming from the back of his throat captured her from head to toe.

  Being in his arms was so completely perfect, and how had she existed her entire life without this feeling? She’d had a child with another man and never experienced anything like this kind of connection.

  When he deepened the kiss, her thoughts shifted, and she also realized how incredibly good he was at this. And how she was not...quite as experienced. But my goodness, that didn’t seem to matter one bit.

  He pulled away enough to look down at her. “Vic, I...” His brown eyes were dancing with emotion, and she loved everything she could see there, like her own thoughts were shining right back at her. And it must have been true because he kissed her again, quickly, and said, “I need a second.” Then he tucked her in close and held her in his strong arms. He was trembling, and she was heartened that he at least seemed as shaken as she felt. The sensation of being comforted and appreciated and adored was just...sublime.

  “Wow,” she said after catching her breath. “You might be even better at that than you are at fishing.”

  “Thank you,” he said and chuckled. “I think.”

  “Definitely a compliment. Maybe I should be jealous of someone, several someones probably, but instead I’m just grateful that they were preoccupying you while I was out on the water. It goes a long way to explaining why I’m so much better at fishing than you.”

  Arms snug around him, she could feel the laugh reverberating in his chest, and she liked that, too. So much. He slipped a hand around the back of her neck, entwining his fingers into her hair.

  “Speaking of fishing and you feeling like you don’t b
elong here, the Romeo people know you haven’t been to this type of show before—you heard Marissa and Gerard say it. They’re taking everything into account. Anyone can accumulate experience. It’s the other stuff that matters. That it factor people are always talking about—personality, charm, style, looks—although Henry is a close second to you in that department. All of that, you either have, or you don’t. And you have it, Victoria. An excessive, unfair amount, if you ask me. Seriously, if I were the one making the decision, I’d hire you right now.”

  “Seth.” Emotion clogged her throat. “That is so nice.”

  “Even your voice is perfect.”

  “My voice?”

  “Yes, your voice is like, I don’t know, the finest buttery maple syrup for the ears.”

  She laughed. “You’ve lost it.”

  “Seriously, just relax. You’ve got this. If today you were a little off your game, I can guarantee you that no one noticed. Personally, I fear what you’ll be like when you’re on.”

  “Thank you. That means...everything to me right now. I’m a little embarrassed that I needed to be talked down.”

  “You’re welcome.” Narrowing his eyes, he peered at her intently, but she could see the humor and affection shining in his gaze. “You would do the same for me, I know it. But you do realize that just because I’ve admitted all of that, does not mean that I’m going to let you win? I have plenty of charm and good looks and...stuff of my own.”

  “That you do,” Victoria agreed with a laugh.

  * * *

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING had the three finalists together. They went to “casting practice” and “interview prep.” Then they were combed and fluffed and powdered before heading into a series of interviews, including the “most exciting coup” of the week, according to Marissa.

  Somehow, she’d gotten them an appearance on Morning Wire, the second-highest-rated cable morning show in the nation. The coanchors, Janina Redfield and Jeb Lufkin, were the biggest reason for that success. A witty, handsome, adventure seeker himself, Jeb was continually scouring the sporting news in some of the more underreported arenas searching for interesting people to feature or stories to tell. Everything from endurance athletes to regular people accomplishing incredible feats.

  The week before, he’d showcased a competitive cyclist who’d abandoned his first-place lead in a grueling road race on Vancouver Island to save a young girl and her dog from an attacking cougar. By all accounts, he’d saved their lives, destroying his bike in the process, which he’d used to fend off the cat. Good stuff.

  Janina was widely acclaimed for her comedic talent, ability to connect with people and her interviewing skills. Popular with viewers, she came across as caring and interested in her guests with a dry but kind humor. She also had a penchant for going “off script” in hilarious ways that the audience had come to expect and adore.

  Jeb introduced the three finalists, talked briefly about the extensive selection process, and how they’d been chosen from among thousands of applicants. He followed that up with a smattering of typical but entertaining questions: what they most liked to fish for, what fish they preferred to eat and what they enjoyed doing when they weren’t fishing. Jeb told a story about how he’d once encountered a great white shark while diving the Hawaiian Islands.

  “So, enough about the fly fishing versus spearfishing or fishing for shark compliments or whatever it is you’re doing, Jeb,” Janina joked after he finished. “I want to talk about what people are really looking forward to, and that’s seeing you guys in action in an event called the casting competition. That’s you three competing against each other by seeing who can score the most points by making all these wacky casts. Let’s check out this video of you guys at target practice this morning, so the audience knows what we’re talking about.”

  The promo for the competition showed each of them hitting—and missing—various targets laid out in the huge pool that had been constructed in the expo’s largest showroom. Set to upbeat music, and interspersed with comments from each of them, Victoria was impressed by how well it had come together.

  “That looks like a ton of fun,” Janina said when it ended. “And you’re all playing for your favorite charities, so that is very inspiring, too. So tell me, honestly, who is going to win this thing?”

  “That would be me,” Seth said. Beside him, Victoria’s hand shot up.

  Henry’s arms went wide in a helpless shrug. “Hopeless, both of them. Although I find their confidence cute. I can thread a needle with my fly rod, and they both know it. They’ve seen me in action.”

  “Ooh,” Janina gushed, “It’s getting reel right here in our studio, folks. Get it?” Chuckling, she mimed a fishing reel. Then, wincing, she said quickly, “Sorry! Couldn’t help myself. But this is just what I was hoping for! And, in a fun little twist, I have permission from the Romeo Reels people to make this event even more interesting. How about a friendly wager among the three of you?”

  “A sporting wager?” Jeb interjected. “Now, you’re speaking my language.”

  “What do you say, guys? Are you in?”

  Chuckling and smiling, they all agreed because, really, what choice did they have?

  “Any ideas on what the loser should have to do?”

  “Loser eats a live worm or a minnow?” Victoria threw out the suggestion as if Scarlett were sitting right beside her.

  That produced simultaneous head turns from Seth and Henry.

  “That’s disgusting,” Seth said.

  “What are we, in middle school?” Henry commented dryly.

  “Seriously?” Victoria gaped at Janina. “Can you believe these wimps. How is that any different than eating sushi?”

  “Heartbeat, for one.” Seth held up a finger. “And the fact that it’s alive leads to another dangerous possibility—one where it gnaws through my gut. No way.”

  “I said minnow, not piranha,” Victoria quipped.

  This garnered laughs all around.

  “Okay, I like it. So eating live bait is officially on the table,” Janina said. “Unless you two wimps—oops, I mean guys—can come up with something better?”

  “How about a swim in the gulf?” Henry suggested.

  “Oh, sure,” Seth said with an eye roll, and a thumb hitched toward Henry. “Mr. Triathlon here takes a polar bear–style swim every morning where he chips the ice off a Minnesota lake and busts out three miles of crawl stroke before breakfast. It’s all part of his ‘training’—” Seth exaggerated the word with a set of air quotes “—that he professes to love. But the truth is he just wants us all to suffer along with him.”

  “You’re not sounding very confident, Alaska,” Henry shot back. “It’s like you’re already gearing up to take that swim.”

  “Ouch, he got you there, Alaska!” Janina teased. “Seriously, it’s so great how you three all seem like friends when there’s so much on the line. Then again, there’s probably a lot of common ground among you.”

  They all agreed. That truly was the most surprising aspect of this for Victoria. Not surprisingly, Henry had been the one to predict it.

  “You know what, though?” Jeb said. “Henry might be on to something. How about the losers walk the plank off the end of the pier? Pier 3 is right outside their hotel.”

  “Wearing mermaid suits?” Janina suggested brightly. “Or maybe one loser pushes the bigger loser into the water? We’ll figure out those details later.”

  “And we’ll be there to film it,” Jeb added.

  “Good news!” Janina grinned and clasped her hands together. “We’re getting the thumbs-up from Marissa Rivas, our point person at Romeo Reels. She’s over there in the wings, literally giving us a thumbs-up. Can you guys see that?” The camera panned toward Marissa. “I don’t know about you people,” Janina shrugged at the audience, “but I, for one, cannot wait to see who walks the plank
.”

  The interview wrapped up with further silly but surprisingly interesting questions. Seth understood the duo’s appeal and thought it was cool how they seemed just as nice off camera as on.

  “You three were just complete...greatness.” Marissa gushed when they were heading out of the studio. “Vic, Seth, I could literally see sparks flying while you two were bantering. Then along comes Henry with the trash-talking. That was utterly superb, Henry, because you don’t look like a trash talker. And, Victoria, the minnow suggestion! Pure brilliance! I can guarantee that this interview is going to be the talk of the show. Just in time for the casting competition. I’m predicting it’s going to be standing room only.

  “So, after we get back to the hotel, you guys have your individual Q&A sessions, then an hour and a half free for lunch. Then your workshops, followed by...”

  Seth heard the part about free time for lunch and quit listening. He pulled out his phone to check the schedule because he would have remembered if there were ninety free minutes where the possibility of hanging out with Victoria was an option.

  “I thought we had a lunch meeting today with the, uh, product development department?” Victoria asked, taking the question right out of his mouth.

  “Oh shoot, did I not email that update? Thank you for bringing that to my attention, Vic. That meeting has been moved to tomorrow afternoon, after lunch, before your afternoon workshops. The new-product people thought it would be better if you weren’t all sitting there eating. You know, so that they can show you the stuff, and you can move around and try out the new products.”

  “Works for me,” Henry said. “Playing with fishing gear sounds like fun.”

  Seth had to agree. He was also elated about the gift of time they’d been granted. He texted Victoria: Time for lunch?