There’s a click, and she’s gone, and my face hurts from smiling.
CHAPTER 23Molly
I put my phone down beside me and look at myself in the mirror across from my bed. I’m naked, surrounded by sex toys, and grinning.
Seth is single. And he’s so incredibly hot.
But more than hot, he’s… known to me. Iknowhim. Ilikehim.
And I want him to call me again. I want him to call me all the time.
My excitement feels so new and tender that I don’t want to tell anyone what happened—not even Dezzie and Alyssa.
I want to protect Seth. He just broke up with someone, and to outside eyes it might seem disloyal or desperate to fall into the virtual arms of an ex. But I also don’t know how to explain the intimacy of what happened.
It feels intensely private. Just for us.
I clean my toys, take a shower, and tidy up my room. I have a burst of energy that manifests in a desire to clean my house, which I do with unusual gusto and attention to detail. I clean it like I would if Seth were visiting. Seth has always been one of those people who can’t tolerate mess.
I wonder what his apartment looks like. I wonder what he’s doing right now.
Probably working. Which is what I should be doing.
I grab my laptop with more purpose than usual.
My only new email is from my new “intern,” Becky.
From: [email protected]
Date: Mon, June 22, 2020 at 3:06pm
Re: Subject: Molly, meet Becky
Dear Miss Marks,
I shiver in horror at this salutation. Does she think I’m seventy years old?
I cannot overstate my gratitude to you for this opportunity. I hope you don’t mind if I take a moment to express my awe at your talent and body of work.Carelessis one of my favorite films of all time, and I can’t believe how young you were when you wrote it. I am so excited to learn from a woman with your tremendous accomplishments.
I’m attaching my CV. Please let me know the best way to get started.
All my best,
Becky
I’m going to have to get young Becky cursing and writing four-word emails or she’ll never make it in this town.
From: [email protected]
Date: Mon, June 22, 2020 at 3:15pm
Re: Subject: Molly, meet Becky
Hi Becky—I’m excited to work with you. Let’s get started with a phone call—say, Wednesday after 10am PT? Let me know your avails.
