“This first one is a lighter tone than the others. It’s meant to be… not exactly humorous, but there’s a definite silver lining feeling to it, if that makes sense.”
Lukas grinned. “I’m sure it will once you read it.”
Clearing my throat, I began. I’d read these introductions ten times over, but I hadn’t thought to read them out loud, and I found myself making note of things I’d change when it came to phrasing or punctuation. Partway through the first one, I stopped and grabbed a pen from my bag and marked the text up as I continued reading aloud to Lukas.
He’d finished eating, but the process was so helpful that I didn’t bother asking him to take over and read the rest. Plus, I sort of liked having his undivided attention. He might have been a captive audience, and he might be far more familiar with the subject matter than I was, but I liked the way it felt to be the center of his focus.
By the time I finished the third and final one, my throat was parched and all three versions had various red marks on them from where I’d crossed things out and rewrote things.
The last introduction was written to mimic the way a documentary might start. It touched on the overview of events, the poverty and abuse, the predatory way he’d been recruited into the adult industry, and the way he’d risen like a phoenix from the ashes of his old life.
I put the intros in the folder and closed it. “So? What do you think?
I cleared my throat and Lukas blinked at me, his eyes a little wide like he was shellshocked.
“I think you’re an incredible writer.”
I sat still, waiting for the other shoe to drop. “But?”
“But nothing. You’re incredible. I’d never have been able to write anything half that good.” Lukas was so earnest, so sincere, that it was almost hard to keep eye contact with him while he praised me. It felt too much, like I didn’t deserve a fraction of the adoration I heard in his voice.
“Which one, excuse me?” I turned my head and covered my mouth as I coughed, trying to clear my throat again.
“Oh, shit. Coffee.” He shot to his feet. “Would you like one? I also have orange juice or water. Iced tea?”
“Water’s fine, thank you.”
Lukas grabbed a glass from the cupboard and poured water from a jug of filtered water that was in the fridge. “Sorry about that. I meant to offer you something when you walked in, but I got distracted by my stomach. It’s been a hectic day.”
“I can get out of your hair, if you need. Once we pick a style for the book, things will move faster.”
“It’s fine. I just didn’t mean to get so wrapped up in it that I forgot to be a proper host.”
Under the table, Lara groaned and shifted around. Lukas leaned over to take a look at her and smiled when he saw her next to my feet again. “I think I like the third one the best. It’s grittier than the others.”
“I agree. But I wanted to give you options.” I opened my laptop and brought up a blank document. “So, Lukas, let’s start at the beginning.”
EIGHT
LUKAS
“Right, the beginning.”I shifted in my seat at the table. Scrubbing a hand through my hair, I let out a breath, emptying my lungs. “Sorry, this is weirder than I thought it would be.”
Another grumble from Lara came from the floor. Dramatic old girl.
Sawyer closed his laptop. “Maybe if we were a bit less structured. I happen to have a good memory, and I can confirm any details later. What do you say we take a walk and see if that helps?”
“That sounds great, actually.” I got to my feet and watched Sawyer slip his things back into his bag. “You can leave that here if you want. Everyone is gone now.”
He seemed hesitant, but he left the bag on the table.
Without speaking, we made our way to the front door. Lara followed close behind me, as unhurried as ever. Grabbing the leash off the hook by the door, I snapped it on her collar.
We made it outside and partway down the street before Sawyer broke the ice. “How long have you had her?”
It was obvious that instead of merely tolerating Lara, he genuinely liked her, and the feeling was mutual. She’d glued herself to his side again, enjoying the way he’d reach down every so often to scrub his fingers through her hair.
“I got her about five years ago. Believe it or not, a younger Lara was just as chill about life. She’s never been overly energetic. She had bursts of it here and there when she was younger, but not so much the past couple years. She’s slowed down a lot.”
