Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93785 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93785 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 469(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
“He took me to the cutest place to eat called Hess.”
“I’ve heard of it,” she says, nodding along. “A friend of ours went there for their anniversary last weekend and raved about it. I heard more about their brussels sprouts than I’ve ever heard about brussels sprouts in my life.”
“Whatever they said, multiply it by a thousand. It was seriously the best food, the best ambiance, the best everything.”
“The best company?” She smiles knowingly. “I have to say, I didn’t see this coming between the two of you, but it’s great. It makes sense. And God knows it’s good for our show. I asked Tommy to get our reports from last week early, if possible. I have a meeting with the executives this afternoon, and I want solid data on hand. This dating bet has just propelled you into outer space, and I want to make damn sure they know it.”
It makes sense? What the heck is she talking about?
My mind wanders, wondering if other people think Drake and I make sense. The idea of the office chattering about us amuses me more than it should. Are they whispering at the water cooler about how they saw this coming? Because there’s no way. I don’t believe that for a second. We aren’t two people you pull out of a lineup and think, Oh, those two go together like bread and butter.
Right?
I shake the thought out of my head and focus on work. “When do you think they’ll have a decision about who they’re moving to the Thursday slot?”
She shrugs. “I was hoping we’d know something by now. I’ll poke around about it today and see if anything shakes out.”
“Keep me posted.”
“Will do. Now, Juni will get in touch with you shortly. She was thrilled when I asked her to be the moderator for you and Drake. You should’ve seen the look on that girl’s face.” She laughs. “I didn’t know whether you wanted to do it in here or in the studio, since it was more of an informal thing. But if you need me in the booth, just text. I’ll be around until one thirty, then I head into meetings for the rest of the day.”
“Great. We’ll probably record it in here as long as Drake doesn’t object—and I can’t see why he would.”
“Sounds wonderful.” She heads to the door. “I’ll let you get back to it.”
“Thanks, Francine.”
I exhale, sitting back in my chair and letting my mind replay our conversation. I never dreamed that I’d be in contention for the prime slot until Francine mentioned it, but now that the excitement has simmered down, I don’t want to get my hopes up. The odds still aren’t in my favor, and even if they were, I don’t want to be disappointed … although I’m already imagining the office conversion I have planned for one of the bedrooms in Goal House.
“I have to say, I didn’t see this coming between the two of you, but it’s great. It makes sense.”
This line bounces around my brain like a Ping-Pong ball. I must admit that I had more fun with him on Saturday than I’ve had in a long time. And it really felt like a date, which was nice. There was intention and forethought, and it really felt like he curated the night for me. Who knew those things could be so sexy?
“You gotta stop thinking about him,” I groan, grabbing my phone. I haven’t spoken with Audrey since Saturday, when I updated her and Astrid about my date.
Me: Auddddiiiieeeeeeee.
Audrey: Hiiiiiiiiiii.
I smile. That’s a good sign.
Me: Whatcha doing?
Audrey: I just got out of a yoga class. I thought it would help me get out of this funk.
Me: Did it work?
Audrey: Meh. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
Me: I’m making sourdough tonight. It should be entertaining at the least if you want to come over and watch me try to be domestic. I’ll even buy you dinner.
Audrey: Thank you. That’s very sweet. My mom asked me to meet her for sushi tonight. They’re leaving for Vegas on Thursday.
Me: Is Andrew fighting?
Audrey: No. They’re just going for the fun of it.
Me: Well, if you change your mind, come hang out with me. Or come over after dinner, and we can have some fresh-baked bread for dessert. Bring your jammies, and we can have a midweek slumber party like irresponsible adults. I know you’ve never tried that before, but maybe that’ll bring you out of your funk.
Audrey: We’ll see.
Me: Don’t “we’ll see” me. It sounds like my mother, and it makes me want to sneak out and go on the hunt for a delinquent.
Audrey:
Me: Call me if you need me. Love you, Auddie.
Audrey: Love you, Gianna.
She didn’t cartwheel emoji me once. That’s concerning.
I read through our conversation, analyzing each of Audrey’s responses. She’s going out and doing things to try to feel better. That’s progress. And she knows it’s just a funk. That’s good, too. Hopefully, Mrs. Van will be able to lift her spirits at dinner.