Seduced The Unexpected Virgin - By Emily McKay Page 0,62

in Hannah’s Hope. I know you do or you wouldn’t let Ricky go there. And I honestly don’t know if we can be successful without you.”

Ana could see Lena wavering. And she knew she’d win her over. She had to. She didn’t think she could take any more disappointment.

Before Ana could think of anything else with which to entice Lena, Ricky stuck his head through the door and yelled, “Come on, Mamá, just take the job!”

Lena’s expression softened. Then she smiled. “Well. I guess that settles it.”

Three days before the street fair, and her personal life in apparent shambles, Ana could think of about ten thousand things she’d rather do besides talk to a reporter. But when Gillian Mitchell from the Seaside Gazette called, Ana had little choice but to take her call. After all, Christi—who had dated the editor years ago—had called the guy several times hoping the Gazette would run a story about the street fair on the front page that Saturday.

The street fair seemed a pretty fluffy piece compared to the kinds of things Gillian covered, but if they wanted to put their ace reporter on it, who was Ana to complain?

However, she was not prepared for Gillian’s questions.

“Rumor has it that Ward Miller is planning on performing at the open house. This would be his first public performance in over three years. And the first single on the new album he’s been working on.”

For a second, Ana nearly laughed. As her surprise subsided, she weighed her options. Disappoint the reporter too much and she might not get the good placement they needed. But she didn’t want to toy with her, either. Finally, she hedged, “Ward is involved in a lot of charities. I’m sure they’d all love to claim his first public performance in three years.”

On the other end of the line, Gillian hesitated. Finally, in a tone that hinted at frustration, she said, “He may be involved in a lot of charities, but he hasn’t been involved with a lot of charity directors. I’d say his personal attachment to you changes things.”

Ana rocked back in her chair. “Oh.”

“I’ve surprised you.” Again, Gillian’s tone shifted. “I’m sorry I was so blunt. I thought you were blowing me off.”

“I wasn’t,” Ana said honestly. “Despite what you may have heard about my relationship with Ward—there’s no way he’s playing a song—new or otherwise—at the street fair.”

Gillian didn’t respond right away, so Ana continued.

“I’m sorry. I’m sure that’s not the big story you were hoping for. But Ward’s involvement with Hannah’s Hope is strictly as a board member and supporter. He’ll be attending the street fair in that capacity.”

At least she hoped he would. Since she hadn’t spoken to him since Sunday evening, for all she knew, he’d changed his plans and was on his way back to Charleston already.

“You sound really sure,” Gillian said, confusion in her voice.

Ana thought of Cara’s sunglasses sitting on the console by the door. Thought of the empty house he didn’t live in and the tiny carriage house to which he’d exiled himself. She thought of the Alvarez sitting in a glass display case at CMF, forever, eternally unplayed.

And then, thinking of the big fight they’d had, she figured the chances of him even showing up at the street festival were pretty slim. Forget playing at it.

“Yes. I’m very sure.” Then she thought of the annoyance in Gillian’s tone just a moment ago when the other woman had thought Ana was lying to her. “Wait a second. You sound pretty sure yourself.”

“I… You know,” Gillian said with sudden cheer. “I must have been mistaken. Thanks for your help.”

A second later, the line went dead.

Ana pulled the handset away from her head and stared at it suspiciously. She replaced the handset in the cradle, turned back to her computer and drummed her fingers mindlessly on her keyboard. Then looked up the number for the Gazette on Google, called it and a moment later had the front desk connect her to Gillian’s phone.

“You sounded really sure,” Ana repeated.

“I didn’t,” Gillian protested.

“No. You did. You were actually annoyed when you thought I was putting you off. What’s up?”

“There’s nothing up!” But Gillian’s voice sounded high and strained. She may be used to asking tough questions, but she wasn’t used to being in the hot seat herself.

“Who did you talk to that made you think he’d be performing at the open house?” Because God help her, if Christi had out-and-out lied to the editor to get him