I look at it for a moment. Start to craft a short, clever message. But in the end, decide against it.
Too soon, I tell myself.Too much. Too out of my league.
Anyway, he has my name. He knows where I work. If he wants to reach out, he will.
When I finally doze off, I don’t notice the flight attendant taking the napkin along with my empty glass.
At home,I’m barely through the front door when my phone rings.
Laney. My lifelong best friend and advisor.
She doesn’t wait for me to say hello.
“Okay,” she demands. “Let’s start at the top, glamour girl. How did it go? How was the awards part of the event?”
She doesn’t ask if I won. She wants to, I know, but this is a softer way to ask the question.
I laugh, my suitcase thudding against the wood floor.
“Well,” I say, toeing off my sneakers. “The food was out of this world, although I had no idea what half of it was. The place was like a castle. The awards ceremony was fine, nice, actually… until I completely humiliated myself on stage by tripping and practically taking out the MC.”
She howls with laughter—but then pauses, catching what I didn’t say out loud.
“Wait.Youwere on stage?”
“Yes. Your little friend in the Cinderella costume was called up to accept a full grant award on behalf of the Maplewick Library.”
“No shit! Youwon? You beast! That’s insane. I mean, not surprising, but still. Damn!”
“Yeah,” I say, grinning despite myself. “It was… a moment. I’m excited.”
“Okay, okay—so the shoes were a hazard. What about the rest? Did you look hot? Did you boost the girls up in that little black dress? Pull down a tendril of hair by each ear for drama? Apply the magical red lipstick?”
“Yes, Lane. I followed all of your instructions. And yeah, I think I looked… pretty damn good. Even if I didn’t exactly look like myself.”
She laughs, delighted. “That’s the whole point of a magical disguise.”
Then her voice drops into mock seriousness. “So… did you attract any dangerously charming men?”
I hesitate. Just a second too long.
“Youdid! Oh my God, you met someone.”
“Well, it depends on what exactly you mean bymet…” I say, trying to decide what I’ll leave in and what I’ll leave out. “But I did have a really nice time with someone who’s a fellow book lover and can even quote a little French poetry.”
“No kidding. Must have been nerd heaven. I’m guessing the place was crawling with book lovers.”
I hesitate again.
She hears it instantly.
“Spill, girl. Now. Or I swear I will get in my car and come in there this minute and drag the truth out of you.”
“Okay, fine.” I flop downon the couch. “He was charming. And gorgeous. The kind of gorgeous that makes you immediately suspicious. But he was also—well—kind.”
“You are sounding suspiciously glowy, now.Did yousleepwith this gorgeous, charming man?
Before I can figure out a response, she’s gone on.
