The Measure of Silence by Langston Elizabeth

Author:Langston, Elizabeth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2023-07-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

Luke didn’t remind Jessica about the meet and greet. Was he afraid that if he did, she would tell him she couldn’t make it? Not an unreasonable assumption. Her heart ached for what that meant.

If she was promoted to senior producer, would she have to let him down more?

After the evening show ended, Jessica left the booth and returned to her desk, anxious to leave. She sent Luke an “On the way” message, gathered her purse, and was locking her computer when Charlie strode up to her desk.

“You leaving?”

“Yes.”

His eyebrow rose. “I’d like to chat about what happened Friday night.”

Her face flushed. The “lie goals” would haunt her forever. “I made a mistake.”

“Yes, you did. How?”

“I don’t know. No excuses.” She took a quick look at a wall clock.

Charlie noticed, his lips tightening. “Got plans?”

“Yes.”

He lowered his voice. “The application period begins tomorrow. It’s not the best time to be ducking out early.”

Maybe so, but tonight, she was keeping her promise to Luke. “Thanks for letting me know.”

She drove across downtown, plunging through one-way streets as she navigated around congested areas. The Raleigh downtown had gone through a slow but effective transformation. South of the State Capitol, there were great restaurants on highly walkable streets, a performing arts center, convention center, and an outdoor amphitheater.

The high school where her husband taught was a few blocks north of the government complex. The streets were jammed with cars, not all legally parked. Raleigh PD must be looking the other way.

She found a spot easily, since people were already beginning to trickle out. After locking the car, she hurried to the athletic field, toward a tent that had been set up in its center. Would any of the people streaming past her have Luke next fall? They’d be lucky if they did.

She smiled as people passed, knowing she looked out of place at this casual event in her lemon linen dress. Like her grandmother, she had a collection of brooches. For Jessica, it was always something from the sea. Today she wore a coral-pink starfish. A gift from Luke.

He stood near the edge of a tent, surrounded by an audience, mostly kids, but a few parents hovered. Had his fan club for next year already started?

She approached slowly, studying his profile. He answered questions, hands gesturing as he spoke. While the people around him laughed, he turned slightly, scanning for something. Her? She shifted her path to come into his line of vision, wanting to see his face when he realized she’d come.

His smile broadened, his posture broadcasting the news that his attention had been caught. The group turned to see what had caused the change.

He drew her to his side, grinning down at her. The only thing standing between them and a hot, hot kiss was the audience.

“Everyone, this is my wife.” His voice held pride and maybe a hint of relief.

She was so sorry about that. He couldn’t count on her. Of all the times he’d asked her to come to the school, this was the first one she’d made.

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