Falling for your secret fling is never a great idea—but it’s even worse when she’s your best friend’s sister.
For Nash Speedwell, returning to Misty Harbor to film Sawyer’s Cove feels like a vacation—at least compared to bulking up to act in historical epics, hitting red carpets to support his charity work, and dabbling in the singer-songwriter career he’s too afraid to chase. But the real draw isn’t playing the character that made him a star over a decade ago. It’s Mimi Orlando—the small-town librarian with a wild streak who also happens to be his best friend’s sister…and the woman he has never been able to resist.
Casual hookups with Nash are all Mimi wants—or at least that’s what she tells herself. When Nash suggests their relationship could be more than a series of one-night stands, she freaks. She dyes her hair every week—if she can’t commit to a color, how can she commit to a relationship?
But no one inspires Nash like Mimi, and no one makes Mimi want to leave her comfort zone like Nash. Can he convince her to take a chance on an overworked actor who gets stage fright when it comes to performing live? Or is their fling destined to fade to black?
Take a Bow is a steamy, stand-alone, full-length novel in the Sawyer’s Cove: The Reboot series, where Hollywood glam meets small-town heart.
Sawyer’s Cove: The Reboot
Enjoy an excerpt from Take a Bow
Tumbleweeds roll down Hollywood Boulevard.
Neon lights lie so pretty.
This desert town will let you down hard.
—"Stranger,” The Nash Speedwell Experience
"Hiya, Mimi."
Mimi Orlando stared at him, pert mouth ajar. He registered the soft blush on her high cheekbones, the general air of messiness in her office, and the fact that his music was playing over her laptop's speakers, a little tinny, but clear.
He grinned. "Hey, I know this song."
She closed her mouth, fumbled with her computer keyboard. The music abruptly cut off. "Nash."
"Hey." He couldn't help the warmth that infused his voice. Being around Mimi always grounded him. He hadn't known how anxious he was to see her until he found himself tracking her down at work. Now that he thought about it, he probably shouldn't have just shown up with no warning.
She didn't look particularly happy at the interruption. He cursed himself for forgetting just because he was on no particular schedule at the moment, it didn't mean everyone had the same freedom.
"I should have texted first, sorry."
"It's okay." She pushed some of her curly hair behind her ears. It was longer than the last time he saw her, and a different color. Today it was mostly her natural brown, with a thick shock of electric blue. "You just get into town?"
"Yeah, this morning. Got settled into my place, but I thought maybe you'd want to get together later. You free for dinner?"
"I might have to work," she said quickly.
"Oh." He was surprised at the disappointment flooding his gut. "How late is the library open?"
"Six. I have a lot of work to do on our upcoming fundraiser. Sorry."
"It's okay." Again, he reminded himself the world didn’t revolve around him. "Maybe tomorrow?"
He didn't mistake the hesitation on her part this time. "Um…"
Was it something he’d said or done? Something he hadn’t said or done? He and Mimi had always been straight with each other, and he didn’t think that had changed in the months since he’d last seen her.
“Let’s catch up before things get busy with the show.”
Her eyes flicked to her computer screen and back. “Yeah, okay. Tomorrow night. You want to meet at The Cove?”
He dug the laid-back vibe at Jay’s bar, but the food was nothing special. “How about the seafood place at the harbor? I’ve been craving oysters.”
“Harborview?” She seemed surprised at the suggestion.
“Yeah, that place. Seven?”