LITMIR.BIZ

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she realizes she’s going to cross paths with a Kendall.

      Given that their previous encounters had been less than ideal, Stuart almost considered turning around and going back up the hill to avoid another letdown. But that would be taking the easy way out. He was up for a challenge.

      He cruised down the rest of the way before putting on the brakes, stopping just short of her. “Hey,” he said casually.

      “Hey.” Madison gave him an uneasy smile. “Thought that might be you.”

      “And yet you still waited?” Stuart said, chuckling. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”

      “It’s cool,” she told him, realizing she hadn’t made it easy for him up to this point. “Look, we may have gotten off to the wrong start.”

      “You think?” he asked, raising a brow.

      “I was just going through some things and you got caught up in it,” Madison tried to explain.

      “I understand,” Stuart said, thinking back to Holly’s wedding. “In any event, I am glad to see that we can at least carry on a conversation.”

      “So am I.” She paused while eyeing the handsome man who was checking her out, too.

      “Do you want to ride together for a bit?” he asked.

      “Sure,” she told him, welcoming the brief respite.

      Stuart followed behind her, enjoying the view of her nice backside as she rode. “So what have you been up to lately?” Seemed like an easy enough way to get to know her, if she was open to it.

      “Mostly work,” Madison said. “How about you?”

      “Same thing—along with trying to keep up with my girls.”

      “They’re seven, right?” She seemed to recall Holly telling her that.

      “They act more like seventeen sometimes,” he said, chuckling. “They will be eight in June.”

      “That’s nice.”

      Stuart could tell that she meant it; though he got the feeling she didn’t have any kids. “I’ve been checking out your column and reviews when I’ve gotten the chance.”

      “Oh, really?” She looked at him, as they were now riding parallel in an area designated solely for bikes.

      “Yeah,” he admitted. “Apart from being a writer, I’m an avid reader whenever time permits, which isn’t often enough. You have some thoughtful reviews and interesting observations in your column.”

      “Thank you.” Madison found herself blushing. Most writers she knew were too full of themselves to be bothered with reading anything but their own work. “I try to keep my reviews real and the column energetic so it doesn’t put people to sleep.”

      “I think you’ve succeeded.” Stuart grinned at her, wishing they had been able to compare notes sooner, but glad to see they were doing so now.

      “I try my best.” She held back and let him take the lead as they reentered the narrower bicycle path. This was the perfect segue to ask him what she wanted to. “I’d like to interview you....”

      He glanced over his shoulder. “For the magazine?”

      “Yes, a feature story in which you can tell readers about your writing, home life, kids,” Madison said. “I’m sure it would be a hit for your fans and help new potential fans get to know you.”

      Stuart could not deny that she had a point. It hadn’t been that long ago when no one was very much interested in his story. Least of all one of the hottest magazines in town. But that was then and this was now.

      He did wonder about the timing, though. Had this just come up? Or had she been friendly all of a sudden as a way to butter him up for a damned interview?

      Not that it mattered in the scheme of things. The reality was he saw this opportunity as a perfect icebreaker. And it would allow him to dig a bit into her life as well, beyond what he already knew, which wasn’t much.

      “I’ll be happy to give you an interview,” Stuart told her with a smile.

      “Wonderful.” Madison breathed a sigh of relief. “How about tomorrow at lunchtime?”

      He waited a beat as if to consider his busy schedule. Since the girls would be at school and his writing time was quite flexible, there was no problem meeting then, but he didn’t want to seem overeager.

      “Lunchtime sounds good,” he said.

      “Are you familiar with the Beef Barn on Fifth Avenue?” she asked.

      “Yes, I’ve been there a couple of times.”

      “Great. I’ll meet you there at one.”

      “It’s a date,” Stuart said.

      * * *

      After leaving Stuart, Madison rode home feeling as though she had pulled off a coup. He’d had every right to turn down the interview request, but he’d been surprisingly gracious. Perhaps he hadn’t given her earlier brush-off much thought after it had happened. She was grateful for that.

      She phoned Giselle with the news. “We’re meeting tomorrow.”

      “That was quick,” Giselle said.

      “No time like the present,” Madison said lightly as she sat on a porch step.

      “I couldn’t agree more. I’m sure it will be a nice piece on one of Portland’s most eligible bestselling authors.”

      “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Madison said.

      “My pleasure,” Giselle told her. “That’s what I’m here for.”

      Madison would remember that. But even without such encouragement from her boss, she felt she was more than up to the task of peering into Stuart’s life and his success as an author. As for the eligible part, she supposed she could broach that, too, if only to see how he dealt with that as a single dad.

      * * *

      The next morning, Madison picked out a nice navy dress for the interview. After debating whether or not to put up her hair, she opted to leave it down. It seemed to suit her best. Last night she had done a little research on Stuart over the internet to help prepare for the interview. His wife had left him four years ago so he had to raise their children alone. And, apparently, he had done just that, with no indication that he had been involved with anyone else.

      On the professional front, he had gone from midlist to bestseller status less than a decade ago. Now he seemed to have the Midas touch as a mystery novelist, two of which had been adapted to the screen.

      Definitely gives me something to work with, Madison thought, while driving to the restaurant. Now it’s up to me to see what else I can draw out that readers will find interesting.

      Carrying her tablet, she walked into the restaurant at five minutes to one and immediately spotted Stuart in the waiting area.

      He saw her, too, and walked up to her. “Hey.”

      “Hi,” she said, trying hard not to stare too much, but finding it hard to resist. He stood there in a nice button-down shirt and tailored pants that looked good on him. She detected pleasant-smelling cologne, as well. “Hope you weren’t waiting too long.”

      “Not at all,” Stuart assured her, giving her the once-over. She looked great in her body-contouring dress. He proffered his arm when the hostess appeared. “Shall we?”

      Madison followed Stuart to a table near the window with a view of the river.

      “Would either of you like anything to drink?” the hostess asked.

      “Red wine for me,” Madison answered.

      “I’ll have the same,” Stuart said.

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