“Uptight?” I offer dryly. Eliza has been my assistant for years. While I can be a bit of a titan, I try not to be with her.
“I was going to saystressed, but sure, let’s go with uptight.” She grins. “Whatever’s causing it—or whoever—it suits you. And I love that for you. I love it when you are happy!”
After she leaves, I pull up the file, send it to Catherine, and then check my calendar for the rest of the day. Three meetings, a conference call, and prep work for tomorrow’s deposition. Usually, this would energize me—the packed schedule and the constant demands keep my mind occupied. But today, all I can think about is that in eight days, I’ll be on a plane to San Francisco.
A notification flashes with his name.
Aaron
Just finished my second interview of the day. The host asked if I’m seeing anyone. I wanted to say yes.
My stomach does a complicated flip.
Me
Even though I don’t think that should be a question a host should ask, since it’s not related to the book… What did you tell them?
Aaron
Sometimes personal questions are asked, Honeybee. But I told her maybe if I play my cards right, and boy did that cause a series of follow-up questions. But I kept my mouth shut.
Me
Exercising your right to be quiet is good. Glad you learned something from shadowing me. HOWEVER, if you think playing your cards right means mouth-shut, I fear I will never tell you my secrets lol.
Aaron
Touché, but I will never tell a soul where you like me to spit during sex.
Me
AARON!!!!
Aaron
lol
Me
I would kill you
Aaron
Is that a promise, Counselor?
I bite my lip, glancing toward my open door as if someone could see my phone from all the way over there.
Me
More like a legal guarantee. Now leave me alone, I have a lot of work to do.
I set my phone down and try to refocus on work, but Aaron has a way of lingering in my thoughts. The truth is that sleep has been a rare and fragile commodity since he left. Nights are long and restless, and my dreams blur the line between memory and longing. Last night’s decision to stay over at his apartment proved less of a comfort than I’d anticipated.
Every room brought back memories of shared laughter and stolen kisses, all reminders of what we had forged in such a brief yet intense timespan. So, I decided that until it’s time for San Francisco, I’ll stay at home and sleep in the comfort of my own bed.
My phone pings, and I quickly pick it up. It’s a new message from Aaron, accompanied by an image that takes my breath away. I blink at the photograph. Lace lingerie is laid out with a gleaming pair of handcuffs resting next to a bottle that I can only assume contains lube. My eyes widen slightly as I take in the playful audacity of his gesture.
Aaron
