Read Online Starlight in Her Eyes by Joann Durgin - Free Book Online

for a much longer time, unfettered by work schedules, and not during a short afternoon coffee break.
    “Tell me more about Lily.” Based on the way Serena brightened at his question, Colin knew he’d struck the right chord.
    As he listened, Colin noted how she avoided any mention of Lily’s father. Everything Serena told him about Lily revealed her deep love for her child. Her eyes shone with tenderness, and she smiled often. But there was also a vulnerability about her that drew on his protective instincts. She seemed to have that effect on others at the television station, too.
    They’d guarded her secret well, if it could even be termed as such. If Colin hadn’t done some digging on the Internet, he wouldn’t have known of her personal connection to Graham Preston.
    He hoped she’d feel comfortable enough at some point to tell him the truth about Graham. For now, he’d ask no questions.
    Serena had been through a terrible tragedy, and that loss alone could have decimated her. While an aura of sadness seemed to hover about her, she seemed well-adjusted to her life without Graham.
    He could imagine having Lily was a great comfort to her but couldn’t know whether she didn’t talk about Graham because the wounds were still too fresh or for some other reason.
    “Colin Young, how are you?” Paulina Kovach approached their table. Tall and attractive, the blonde news anchor gave him the type of smile he recognized all too well. A lift of a brow, a suggestive wink, a touch of the hand might come next. Barely more than a year ago, he might have taken advantage of her unspoken offer without a second thought. No questions, no regrets, no tomorrows. What a fool he’d been. If only he could take back his past behavior, he would in a heartbeat.
    Thank you, Jesus, for the woman sharing my table now.
    Sure enough, Paulina kissed him on both cheeks before extending her hand.
    Colin rose to his feet and briefly took her hand before releasing it. “Nice to see you again, Paulina.” He motioned to Serena, who suddenly appeared ill at ease. “Do you know Serena Monroe?”
    “I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your ‘Out and About’ segments,” Paulina said, ignoring Serena. “They’re inventive and humorous. Whoever is responsible for that concept should be commended. So simple, yet brilliant.”
    “Thank you. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them. We’ve had fun.” Colin nodded to his table companion. “As a matter of fact, Serena is the person to commend for those segments. She has all manner of fabulous ideas for Wake Up, Philadelphia! ”
    Paulina turned and eyed Serena up and down with such blatant disdain that it shouldn’t shock him, and yet it did. “Serena, my apologies. I didn’t catch your name when Colin first mentioned you, and I didn’t recognize you without your hair in that bun and the glasses you always wear. I don’t believe I’ve seen you since Graham’s funeral. How have you been?”
    Serena blanched, and Colin cringed at Paulina’s insensitivity. Although she remained seated, Serena lifted her chin and leveled her gaze on Paulina. “I’m well, thank you.” She said it with such quiet dignity that Colin wanted to applaud her.
    Paulina turned her full attention back to him. “Colin, be a darling and save me a slow dance at the Liberty Bell Ball. It’s always a fantastic evening.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    With a wink, Paulina excused herself and joined a group of people he recognized from the evening news staff. He’d been introduced to many of them during his first week in town and had shared lunch or dinner with a number of them. He’d also turned down a number of invitations to go to clubs after work. Mindless flirtations and after-hours networking no longer had a place in his life.
    Serena abruptly rose and draped her coat around her shoulders before he could assist her.
    “Please stay a while longer.” Colin didn’t bother to hide his disappointment. “You haven’t