Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
A few minutes later, our meal arrived. We talked about writing over dinner. Afterwards, he got dressed in his newly repaired suit, draped the crocheted scarf around his neck, and clutched the notebook he’d been using throughout the day. We exchanged phone numbers, and when I walked him to the door, he told me, “These last twenty-four hours were amazing. I can’t thank you enough for everything, Malcolm.”
“It was great, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’d suggest coming over at ten so we can have brunch before we start writing, but you’re the most anti-morning person I’ve ever met, so noon?”
“It might have to be slightly later than that. I have to go retrieve my car in Sausalito, before some rich douche bag has it towed for being a rusty eye sore.”
“Oh! I didn’t realize you’d driven to Whit’s house. Why didn’t you say something when we were leaving the party? We could have driven back to the city separately.”
He smirked and said, “Because I was trying to hit on you. How was I going to do that from another car?”
“Want me to give you a ride to Sausalito tomorrow?”
“It’s okay. I’ll take care of it, and I’ll plan on getting here around one p.m. If it ends up being later, I’ll text you.”
“Sounds good.”
Neither of us quite knew what to do next. Finally, he grabbed me in a hug and lingered for a long moment. Then he let go of me and winked playfully before walking out the door.
Damn.
That man was something else. He was quirky, fascinating, and far too beautiful. He was also probably up to something, but even that was intriguing.
When I went back into the suite, it felt empty without him. I dropped onto the couch and took my phone from my pocket. Then I called Ginny’s number, and she answered with, “Tell me everything.”
“I thank you’re right. Daniel has a secret, and you and I are going to find out what it is.”
6
Daniel
As soon as I got home, Hal shouted, “What happened last night? We want a full report!”
When I went into the living room, I found JoJo standing on the coffee table, while Hal pinned up the hem of a pretty, red cocktail dress. “JoJo, you look stunning,” I said. “What’s the occasion?”
She flashed me a smile. “Nothing yet, but it’s always best to be prepared.”
“JoJo hired me to sew three dresses for her,” Hal explained, as he slid a pin through the sparkly fabric. “She knew I was strapped for cash after paying this semester’s tuition, so she’s pretending she needs new clothes and is totally overpaying me for them.”
“I’m not overpaying,” she insisted. “A Hal Nakamura original is going to be worth a bundle once you’re famous. I’m making a good investment.”
Hal grinned at her before pulling another pin from a red felt ball and glancing at me. “So, spill the tea. What happened at the party? I’m assuming it went well, since you were gone for twenty-four hours.”
I got comfortable on the couch and told them about Malcolm and the way everything unfolded. When I finished, JoJo said, “It sounds like he wasn’t what you were expecting.” While I’d been talking, she’d climbed off the table and carefully removed the dress, leaving her in shorts and a camisole. Then she’d put on a fluffy pink robe and joined me on the couch.
“You’re right. I was expecting some arrogant rich guy, but he turned out to be warm, kind, and totally down to earth. I didn’t think we’d have anything in common, but I was wrong about that, too. He was really easy to talk to, and I felt good when I was with him.”
Hal asked, “So, are you still going through with your plan?”
“I don’t know. I might have already blown it. He brought up the wedding out of the blue, and I clumsily tried to invite myself along. It was obviously way too soon for something like that, but I panicked and blurted it out.”
“What did he say to that?”
“He told me he’d think about it, but there’s no way he’s going to say yes. I’d been planning to bring it up after we’d spent at least a week together, which was probably still going to seem like it was way too soon. But it would’ve been so much better than throwing it out there when we’d only known each other a day.”
JoJo asked, “So, what happens now?”
I shrugged. “We’re getting together to write tomorrow, and after that I have no idea.”
We chatted for a few more minutes, and then I went to my room to change. After I took off my pants, I folded back the fabric and took a look at the repaired seam, since I’d forgotten to do that when I got dressed.
Malcolm had sewn it up with tiny, even stitches, using a thread that was close to the color of the fabric. Then, just to be funny, he’d embroidered two cartoonish startled eyes looking at a full moon on the label. What a wonderful weirdo. I was grinning as I carefully hung up the suit and stuck it in my closet.