Page 216 of No Headlines Please

I loved him.

It still felt like a dream.

Today, he hadn't wanted to leave the island at all.

So why had he?

Because of me.

He'd said that if he didn't surface in Chicago, the press would surely come looking – and probably harder than before.

So, he'd gone to them instead.

Apparently, he'd agreed to an interview sometime this afternoon.

By tonight, he'd be back here in my arms.

And in my bed.

Or his.

Either way was fine by me.

As for Ryder and Griff, they'd gone along to Chicago to lend Maddox some friendly moral support, just like I had here.

I was still watching the coverage when Franny and Maisie bustled back into the living room with bowls of popcorn for us all.

I was halfway through my bowl when my cellphone rang. I picked it up and glanced at the screen. Walt.

When I answered, he barked out, "You're watchin' it, right?"

"The stuff with Sloane? Yeah. We've been watching all day."

"So…you still with that guy?"

I smiled. "Maddox? Yes, actually."

"Good."

"Why?" I laughed. "Because he's not the monster everyone says?"

"Well, that too," he said. "But mostly because my grandson's taken. He met someone last month. A helluva gal. I just figured you should know." Before I could reply, he'd already switched gears. "You got popcorn, right?"

I glanced toward the neighboring armchair, where Franny was munching away. "Yeah, Franny made it."

"Who's Franny?"

"A friend. I think you'd like her."

"Oh, yeah?" He sounded intrigued. "So…does she fish?"

I looked over at Franny while I put the phone on speaker. "Franny, by any chance, do you fish?"

She snorted. "Not lately." I was just about to relay that to Walt when she added, "I can't find anyone to take me. I mean…it's not like I can't do it alone. But where's the fun in that?"

Before I could respond, Tessa gave a little gasp. "Delaney, look!" She was pointing at the TV.

And there he was, Maddox McGuiness, looking too delicious for words. He was standing in front of a bunch of cameras, dressed in a dark suit that framed his broad shoulders to perfection.