Like a fool, I hid in my hotel room after running out of the restaurant. I had to order room service because as it turned out, sushi wasn’t filling.
The next morning, I took the first flight out, rushing back to the Big Apple as if something incredible was waiting for me. In fact, nothing but work was waiting.
The premiere was on a Thursday and I was originally scheduled to stay in California until Saturday, so when I slipped back into the office late Friday afternoon, I was greeted by a lot of raised eyebrows.
I didn’t let it bother me. Grabbing my messages and the proofs waiting for me on my desk, I turned right around and headed home for a lonely weekend, intending to fill it with work and exercise.
When I got home that night and checked my messages like I usually do, I had an e-mail from him.
FROM:[emailprotected]
TO:[emailprotected]
SUBJECT: Did you get home safely?
Charli –
I want to believe it was merely bad luck our evening was interrupted. Either way, I wanted to make sure you got back home safely.
Can’t wait to read your review of the movie.
—Layton
P.S. Look what my dog did to my tuxedo loafers.
Attached was a picture of a big, fuzzy golden retriever holding a half-chewed Ferragamo loafer in his or her mouth.
I didn’t even know Layton had a dog. How could this mean anything between us if I didn’t know something like that?
Well, for starters, you didn’t even give him a chance to say he had a dog.
Janie had wanted to hang out that night, but I refused. Instead, I worked out and ate a quick dinner, then went through the rest of my work e-mails.
For the rest of the weekend, I ran myself ragged, collapsing into bed each evening, crossing my fingers I was exhausted enough to ignore the e-mail sitting so innocently in my in-box.
The one I didn’t respond to.
Either way, I wanted to make sure you got back home safely.
That sentence played on repeat in my head, plaguing me for five days until I finally gave in. By Tuesday, I couldn’t outrun or outspin my demons anymore.
FROM:[emailprotected]
TO:[emailprotected]
SUBJECT:I’m back. Thanks.Thank you
Thank you so much for your concern.
Thanks for asking. I did get home in one piece, and have been swamped with deadlines.
It’s been raining here all week and I miss the LA sun, but it’s good for my workload.
Fondly,
Charli
P.S. Hope you made your dog pay for your shoes.
