Starlight in Her Eyes (3 page)

The man was perceptive. A sting of remorse zipped through her, but in some ways, the new morning show co-host was subject to the whims of the producers when it came to social appearances. “I'm sorry, Colin. Are you going home for Christmas? I suppose we assumed—”

“I'll be here.” Colin's voice was quiet, controlled. “I suppose the whereabouts of my true home is debatable until I prove my worth here at the station.”

“It'll be a fun evening for you and a great networking opportunity.” Serena tapped her pencil on the tabletop, a nervous habit she'd never been able to break. “Gabrielle's just broken her high-profile engagement, and”—she met Colin's eyes—“Lawrence would like for you to escort her to the ball.”

“Ah, I see. I did notice that Gabrielle's exorbitant diamond had suddenly gone missing this morning. Should I express my sympathies or would it be best if I remain the silent and oblivious male co-host?”

Serena nodded. “Since you've asked, the latter might be best.”

“So, in essence, I'm to be there as damage control for my co-host?”

“Yes, to save face. More or less.” When he started to speak again and then closed his mouth, Serena hastened to explain. “I'm sure you and Nikki Reardon attended events together on occasion. It's only for one evening.”

Colin frowned. “While I'm truly sorry for Gabrielle's unfortunate breakup, I'm sure any number of eligible, single men in Philadelphia would jump at the opportunity to escort her to the Liberty Bell Ball. I'm willing to meet up with her for the necessary photo ops at the ball, but I'd appreciate the courtesy of being allowed to invite my own date.” Sitting back in his chair, Colin appeared lost in thought. “I hope telling a man whom to escort to a ball isn't part of your customary job description.”

“No, but I'll handle all of the arrangements. I'll schedule a tailor to meet with you regarding your tuxedo preferences, and I'll arrange for a limousine.” Serena lowered her gaze, hating to mention the next item on her list. “If you'd like, I can also reserve overnight accommodations for you at The Hyatt.”

Colin's brow furrowed and he appeared none too pleased. “No, thank you. That won't be necessary.”

“I didn't mean to imply—”

“While I never succumbed to an alcohol addiction, I struggled for a number of years, Serena. So, no, I won't need a hotel room to sleep off a bender. Nor will I need a room for any other purpose, especially on the station's dime.” His jaw visibly tightened, his words sounded clipped.

Serena hadn't expected such a strong reaction from him, or such blatant honesty, but he'd made himself perfectly clear. Colin's personal affairs were none of her business. She'd noticed he hadn't imbibed as the others had passed around the bottles of wine during their meeting. “I'll mention to Lawrence that you wish to invite your own date,” she said. “As soon as possible, I'll need her name so she can be added to the guest list.”

Colin rose to his feet and headed for the door. “Please go ahead and schedule the tailor, but I'll make my own transportation arrangements. Thank you, Serena.” He glanced back at her. “I'll speak with Larry myself about whom I'll be escorting to the Liberty Bell Ball.”

“Fine,” she said. “Just don't call him Larry.”

Too late. Colin had already disappeared around the corner. Courteous as always, his voice had been laced with what sounded like quiet resignation. She hated that she'd played a part in it.

“All right, then.” Serena began to gather the documents and assorted memos that had been left—as usual—on the table by the producers. She'd need to deliver them to the individual offices later and inform their assistants of any important information. Although she enjoyed her job, the “grunt” part of the position could sometimes be aggravating. Serena glanced at her watch. Twenty minutes to spare until she'd speak with Lily. Knowing she'd hear her six-year-old daughter's sweet voice always brightened her afternoon.

The fact that Colin hadn't seized the opportunity to escort the beautiful Gabrielle to the Liberty Bell Ball pleased Serena. The
Wake Up, Philadelphia!
co-host was the type of woman many men desired—statuesque, model thin, a former beauty queen. Even so, Colin's reaction didn't lessen her sense of disappointment. Not disappointment in him so much as in her own unrealistic, fairy-tale expectations.

Had it been her imagination that something special had passed between the two of them yesterday morning in the wardrobe room? Unless she was completely off-base, Colin had managed to see past the walls she'd erected, as if he understood on a personal level the same kind of pain she endured.

But then she'd told the man in no uncertain terms that she wanted nothing more from him than to be work colleagues. Given the circumstances, how could she believe for one fleeting second that Colin might possibly be romantically interested in her?

In spite of her harsh words, he'd still asked her to share lunch with him. True to his promise, Colin had kept their conversation businesslike and professional. Much to her astonishment, he'd left her wanting more. His expressive brown eyes had lit with enthusiasm when they'd discussed the upcoming schedule for
Wake Up, Philadelphia!
With his classic, leading man good looks combined with a solid work ethic and an ease on camera, Colin had effortlessly stepped into the role of co-host. His British accent was a strong draw for women, and his natural, quick wit appealed to both male and female viewers. Unlike Graham, Colin seemed to genuinely care about the show's audience. His ideas for upcoming guests and themes were clever and showed ingenuity.

In essence, Colin was nothing at all like she'd expected. Could she have been that far off in her assumptions?
You've judged him unfairly, Serena.
Perhaps she should give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. With her track record with men—well, one man, really—wasn't it understandable that she'd be wary of Colin's reputation?

Contrary to the reputation that preceded him to Philly, she'd never witnessed him openly flirting with any of the women on the staff or with female guests on the show. Rumor had it he stuck to himself at lunch and hadn't been seen at any of the popular clubs after working hours or on the weekends. Perhaps most surprising was how he'd bowed his head and asked a blessing before their lunch. That gesture had shocked Serena in the best of ways.

Why am I even thinking about such things?
She didn't need a romantic entanglement. Her life was full. Having a man to curl up with at night or to share life's heartaches and burdens, wasn't the key to happiness or the answer to loneliness. She'd lived that dream once upon a time.

For a while, it had been nice…until it wasn't. Until her marriage became a mockery of the institution, until the man who'd promised to love and cherish her forever decided he'd rather treasure someone else instead. And then he'd died. For the financial security, and for her daughter, especially, she was thankful. But in some ways, it felt fraudulent.

Carrying the files in both arms, Serena started down the hallway toward her office. The fact that she'd once attracted the attention of a handsome, high-powered man meant nothing now.

More than a decade had passed since she'd boasted fewer lines around her eyes, her mouth, and between her brows. The days when her waistline and everything else about her body had been trimmer and tighter. A time when she'd been full of optimism and high hopes.

When she was…young. Oh, the irony.

~*~

The Next Day

“Serena, love, you must come and save me.”

The sound of Colin's voice on the phone made Serena smile. Lawrence had insisted on sending Colin on a bus tour around the city. She wondered if he would protest that plan, but to his credit, he'd been a good sport. For now, she wouldn't mention to Colin that she'd been the one to suggest a camera crew follow him. She'd figured that with his adventurous spirit and natural charm, he'd have the entire busload involved in a holiday sing-a-long in no time flat.

“Why do you need saving?” she asked. “I warned you to behave yourself.”

“On the contrary! I've been the perfect tourist, love. It's everyone else around me who's gone stark raving mad.” The corners of her mouth quirked at his feigned offense.

Serena tapped a steady rhythm on her desk blotter pad with a pencil. He called the female staff at the station
love
, but for some reason, every time she heard it, her heart palpitated and her pulse raced. “Where are you now?”

“The Betsy Ross House. Ben Franklin was hanging around outside in spite of this horribly cold weather. We sparred a bit. Impertinent fellow. To hear him tell it, you'd think he holds me singularly responsible for the perceived injustices of the British throughout history. I actually had to retreat into the house for asylum from the man's verbal taunts. Betsy's much more accommodating, not to mention, enterprising. Considering the poor woman lost three husbands, it's a good thing she possesses amazing seamstress skills to support her seven children. She also tells me that George Washington was quite an honorable sort.”

Serena smiled. “Good to know considering he was our first president.”

Colin's wry sense of humor amused her.

Bill Staunton had made a wise move in hiring him. Since joining the show, he'd already helped raise their ratings by a noticeable number of percentage points for their time slot and demographics.

The network had also taken notice as evidenced by the memo she'd seen cross Lawrence's desk earlier that morning. Would it be too late to save their struggling show? If it wasn't a terrible time of the year to try to find a new position, she might be pounding the pavement, résumé in hand, at that very moment.

An hour later, when her phone rang again, Serena recognized the number as Colin's. “Have you kissed the Liberty Bell yet?”

Now you're flirting?

He chuckled. “I tried, but it's roped off to prevent me from getting up close and personal. Then I jumped up and down beside the Rocky Balboa statue and pumped my fists in the air while others gathered about me and hummed that rousing theme song. You'd think it was almost akin to a spiritual in this city. Care to hazard a guess where I'm standing now, love?”

Serena tapped the pencil against her chin. “Hmm. Let me think. You're getting a firsthand look at a jail cell and need money for bail?”

Way to not flirt.

“Ah, that's very good, Miss Monroe. For your personal information, I've never been confined in a jail cell. I'm currently standing outside Independence Hall. It's really quite spectacular. Did you notice the appropriate hushed reverence in my tone?”

The man's enthusiasm was infectious. “Colin, I repeat, why do you need saving? Sounds to me like you're having a good time.”

When a loud screeching sound came through the phone, Serena frowned and held it away from her ear.

“Charlotte, look!” a female voice said. “It's that funny British man from the morning television show. Colin something or other. Honey, you're even taller in person and a whole lot of gorgeous.”

Serena waited to hear what would come next, wondering what was happening outside Independence Hall and hoping the camera crew captured it on film.

A few seconds later, Colin sounded slightly out-of-breath when he came back on the phone. “Serena, did you hear that exchange just now? That's precisely why I need you to rescue me. It seems there are billboards with my face plastered all over town proclaiming to the world to wake up with Colin or some such provocative nonsense. Oh, wait—here's one at the city bus stop now. Does the thrill never end?”

Serena giggled. She couldn't remember the last time she'd giggled, but it felt good. “Tell you what. There's a little coffee shop two corners down on Chestnut. If you can, dart in there.” While she found Colin's phone call and pleas to rescue him endearing, she couldn't believe he didn't enjoy the attention.

“Fine. I'll go into the coffee shop if you'll agree to come and rescue me. Wait a moment. Are you suggesting I ditch the bus tour?”

“Yes, I guess I am, but you don't need me to rescue you, Colin. Go in the coffee shop and ask for Sal. He'll brew you a mean cup of java and you can lay low until the coast is clear of crazed fans chasing you.”

“As much as I'm inclined to follow your suggestion, Sal doesn't sound like the name of a man in an innocuous corner coffee shop unless it's a front for something more sinister. The name Sal conjures up the type of man who'd arrange for a hit and then make sure the body is buried in the city dump.”

“Don't make judgments. You're bound to meet a lot of men with that name in Philly.” Serena sat up straighter in her chair and couldn't stop smiling. “Maybe you shouldn't watch so much television. Sal's terrific. The only ‘hit' he'll arrange is adding the flavoring in your coffee. Or I suppose you prefer tea?”

Colin chuckled. “Now who's making assumptions? I'm British, so of course, I like tea. However, I have a growing affection for coffee with either almond or vanilla flavoring. Fine, I'll take your suggestion and go meet this Sal person. I'll see you back at the station in a stone's throw to Nottingham. Can I bring you anything? One of those large pretzels sold by men risking death by standing in the middle of the city streets?”

His questions threw her off for a few seconds. “No, thank you. Just bring yourself back safe and sound.”

Colin paused a moment before responding. “Why, Serena. Are you saying you actually miss me when I'm running around the streets of Philadelphia instead of being in the station and irritating you?”

Serena's smile grew wider. “All the way to Canterbury.”

He could take her comment however he wanted. Judging by his chuckle, he liked it.