Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
My adventure at the airport made me feel unprepared and unpredictable. My emotions had gotten the better of me, and that idiot Mike hadn’t made it easier to turn down Ryan. He was like that knight in shining armor in anime who let the girl be their own woman, yet he was protective and comforting all the same.
I ducked my head between my arms with my elbows on the table, suddenly feeling exposed with all my thoughts of my one-night romance. Stupid, stupid, stupid, I kept thinking, feeling ashamed as if my memories were laid bare to the world.
Ryan still hadn’t responded, and after so long, I was starting to lose hope of getting my phone back. Not that I’d stop trying, but the more time that passed now that my lecture was over, my only concern was with the panic-stricken voice of my mom on the other end of the line.
I thought to message her on Insta or something, but at this point, I didn’t even want to hear what she had to say. I was finally away from it all, away from the overbearing weight of guilt, pressure, and suffocating curiosity that had made the world seem not worth the effort.
And she wondered why I was so boring.
A soft thump made me jump, all color draining from my face, when I noticed a familiar face I couldn’t pin down standing next to me.
I smiled nonetheless and shook his proffered hand before he opened himself up with a confident and, dare I say, charming baritone voice.
“Well, hello. Christie, is it? Andrew. Andrew Mayhew from Mayhew Industries.”
Not Andrew Rock, but I recognized his face from the lecture hall.
“Hi, Andrew. You were in my session, right?”
He nodded, his deep-set brown eyes glinting in the dim light. “I’m surprised. And impressed. You barely met my eyes when I shook your hand.”
I blushed, pinning a lock of hair behind my ear before it covered my face. “Sorry. I was distracted.”
“It was a wonderful talk.” He pulled out a chair to sit and spread his hands across the eggplant-colored tablecloth, his casual white long-sleeve polo bunching up at his wrists. “And I apologize for barging in on you. It was rude of me. I promise I didn’t follow you here or anything. I was on my way out.”
“Oh, it’s okay.”
“I just hoped to speak with you. I tried to call . . .”
I froze. I’d handed out business cards. With my name, number, and email address. I prayed that no one else had called, though part of me prayed they did. Who knew when I’d have the chance to respond? I decided to take a chance with Andrew because it sounded like he could be a real reason for me to celebrate.
“I’m so sorry, Andrew,” I said, my fingers bracing my fallen jaw. “I lost my phone before my flight here, and the man who has it . . . never mind. I don’t have my phone. I’m using someone else’s until I get it back.” I couldn’t just share my story of a one-night stand and ruin whatever this was before it began.
Andrew chuckled, a deep reverberating hum of a sound. I couldn’t help smiling when he started to speak again. “Not a problem at all. I figured you had other obligations tonight. I just saw you on my way out and thought I’d say hello.”
“Well, I appreciate that. Was there something I could help you with?”
“Right, yes.” He lifted a finger while digging through his pocket for a small sleeve. “I wanted to give you my business card personally.” He plucked a thin, gray card from the sleeve and handed it to me between two fingers like a professional. I grinned. “We’ve been looking for a qualified consultant to help us with a new venture, and your talk on scaling was just the ticket. I’d love it if you gave us a call. Perhaps we could schedule an interview while you’re in town?”
I beamed but tried not to show my hand yet. I accepted the card and nodded in acknowledgment, inhaling deeply before words poured from my lips. “Thank you, Andrew. I appreciate that. I’ll be here for a few more days to see the city,” I lied, “so I’d love to learn more about the position in question.”
Andrew smiled. “Wonderful. You’ll speak to Danielle when you call. Just tell her you spoke to Andy, and she’ll organize something for you immediately. I’ll tell her you’re only here for a few more days.”
I lifted the card. “I’ll call first thing tomorrow.” Shit. Idiot. Why would you say that like some desperate loser?
He winked, rising to his feet before he offered his hand again. “Well, it was lovely to meet you, Ms. Hannam. You chose a great restaurant. I trust you’ll make a great choice in your future as well.”