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so nonchalant about his career? Why was it that all the good-looking ones were flakes?
    She took her strong work ethic seriously. From the moment she discovered as a junior in high school that she had scored high in the field of publishing on a career test, Meredith had pursued that goal above all else. She went to summer school in college and sought out the most desirable positions in publishing. By the time she was twenty-three, she had landed her current position as an acquisitions editor. People patted her on the head and told her she was lucky. She knew she had earned every bit of that luck.
    “I’m an acquisitions editor,” Meredith volunteered. “For G. H. Terrison Publishing. I acquire children’s products.”
    He seemed appropriately impressed, which was rewarding for her.
    “I’ve been with them about a year and a half,” she continued. “The best part is that I get to work at home and only go back to Chicago about six times a year.”
    Jay tilted his head. “May I make a comment here?”
    “A comment?”
    “Yeah, an observation.”
    “What?”
    “You just said, ‘I am an acquisitions editor.’ ”
    Meredith nodded. “I am.”
    Jay shook his head. “An acquisitions editor is what you do. It’s not who you are.”
    “Right,” Meredith said quickly. “I know that.”
    Jay slipped his sunglasses back on. “Then you are a wiser person than I.”

Chapter Five

    J ay remained an enigma as their breakfast picnic continued. They talked about Shelly and the conference center. They chatted about the bugs that swarmed around their food. They even talked about the weather. But little personal information about either of them was exchanged.
    Jay seemed relaxed, though. He gave every indication that he was charmed by Meredith and even offered her his hand as she stepped out of the boat when they left. He let go as soon as she was out, which she expected. This man she had just met had no reason to hold her hand as they walked back through the forest together. But Meredith was dying to know if he wanted to hold her hand.
    What must he think of me? First the shrieking fit in the bedroom, then the puppet show in the pickup, and then a smashed muffin in his face. Does all this amuse him? delight him? disgust him? And why should it matter to me what he thinks?
    Because, you doof
, her alter ego chimed in,
you’re amused,
delighted, and intrigued by him. When was the last time that happened? You want to see this guy again, and you can’t remember when you felt this way after a first date, can you?
    No, I can’t
, she answered herself silently.
    “Are you going back to L.A. today?” Meri asked as they hiked together through the woods.
    “Yes,” he said. “Do you ever come to L.A.?”
    She was surprised by the way her heart did a little hopscotch around his words.
So he is interested. A little
.
    “As a matter of fact, I have a trip to L.A. next month for a writers conference. It’s in Anaheim, I think.”
    “Is it the Stories and More Conference?” he asked, looking a little surprised.
    “Yes, I think that’s the name of it.”
    “What a coincidence. I’ll be at that conference, too.”
    “Really?”
Don’t get too jazzed and scare him off, Meri!
“How about that?” she said calmly. “Nice coincidence. We’ll have to get together then. I’ll buy you a muffin.”
    “A muffin?”
    “To make up for the one you didn’t get this morning.”
    “Okay,” he agreed. “I’ll let you buy me a muffin.”
    It appeared to Meredith that he wanted to say something else. He looked worried. Maybe not worried but hesitant.
    She decided to remain quiet and calm. If he wanted to open up a little more to her, he could do that. If this wasn’t the time for him to say anything more personal than he had already said, then she could accept that, too. The comfortable silence emanating from her was meant to be an invitation. He didn’t R.S.V.P.
    They left the woods without further conversation and entered the