your day was amazing.
Hmm. Ms. Swann had been in meetings all day, evaluating press releases and some upcoming promo event for a client’s new product launch. What should she share? Can’t complain. Pretty productive day.
Lexie’s had been productive, too. If she stayed on track, her next play would be ready for beta readers by next week.
What else is new?
She sat up and nibbled a pinky nail absently. There must be a way through this without causing suspicion on his part, while also playing it straight.
Scratchy throat. Resting before my big presentation tomorrow. You? Ms. Swann’s team was scheduled to present its selected press releases in the morning. And unless her boss sucked on lozenges by the handful because she enjoyed their menthol taste, that part was truthful, too.
The Yankees are losing. Did you try hot tea and honey?
Yankees? She scrunched her nose. Go Phillies! Great idea.
So, what are you wearing? Kidding. Promise.
Seriously? Better be…sexting’s not my style.
NP. Can you blame a guy for trying? ;)
She shrugged. I’d prefer to get to know you better. Hopes, dreams, that sort of thing.
Will you reciprocate?
Depends. What if you share, and then I decide we don’t mesh?
Impossible.
Besides, I already shared A LOT last night.
Fair enough. You get three questions.
Lexie laughed. What was he, a genie?
The apartment door swung open, and Sam headed straight to the fridge. “You’re up late.”
“Texting with Steel. What about you?”
“Have to crunch portfolio numbers and then draft my essay for Globalization and Emerging Markets.”
“Sounds positively scintillating.”
Sam yawned, then took a long pull on her Coke as she sank onto the foot of the sofa bed.
“You sure it’s smart to keep up this pace?” Lexie asked. Her friend was seriously starting to have the look of a Bram Stoker character—her skin stark white except for the dark circles under her eyes.
“Nothing caffeine won’t cure.” Sam took another long pull. “Coffeemaker set?”
“Yep.”
“Thanks. And kudos to Aiden for buying it. Best. Housewarming. Gift. Ever.”
Her thoughts flew back to her Skype talk with her brother last night. Had to admit, she’d missed their friendship. Why had she let their falling out drag on for so long? Lexie frowned at the chip in her nail polish.
“I’ll recover after finals. No big deal. It’s you I’m concerned about.”
“I’m fine.” She pasted on a smile.
“Yeah, and I’m well rested.” Sam rolled bloodshot eyes. “Hey, it sucks that you got more than your share of raw deals when it came to falling for ass-hats disguised as decent humans pretty much most of your adult life, but this is a fresh start. You’re going to make it as a playwright. I feel it.”
“I knew there was a reason I let you have the bedroom,” Lexie joked.
Sam held up a palm. “I’m serious. You’re very talented, but that’s not the point. I also believe there’s a guy somewhere in this city who deserves your love.” She glanced at the boss’s phone. “Steel likes Ms. Swann. Focus your energy on a guy who likes you.”
Matthew popped into her mind, and a smile tugged at her lips until reason prevailed. “I’ll go one better. How about I use all my energy on writing.”
“Wasn’t it you that said the best writers live full, rich lives, and don’t just watch it from the sidelines?”
“I was making a point to my mom about moving from Battleton to New York.” She sniffed. “Nothing to do with dating.”
“I’m not telling you to date. All I’m saying is keep your eyes open.” Sam moved to the bedroom door. “You know what they say about having to kiss a few frogs before you find a prince.”
A few? I’ve kissed an entire pond full, still no royalty to be found. Lexie watched the door close behind her well-meaning but obviously delusional best friend before turning her attention to the phone beside her.
Three texts waited. The last one said it all.
Are you still there?
She crawled into bed, and her thumbs flew over the screen’s keyboard. I needed to think. Okay, here’s the first question. Do you have any siblings and are your parents alive?
He shot back: Are you sure you want that to count as your first question?
Yes. Birth order and family information say a lot about a person.
If you say so. Only child. Both parents living.
Well, that was succinct. Second question. Why did you become a personal trainer AND a professor?
They’re actually quite similar. They both involve teaching. I like to help people.
She stretched out, her toes reaching the bottom edge of the bed. Nice.
I’m no saint. All the people