I laugh and it seems to jumpstart my brain, and with it my ability to carry on conversations like a normal human. “Where are you at?” I ask, getting straight to the point.
“Outside the front doors.” She glances around nervously. “Why?”
“Stay put. I’m bringing this meet and greet to you.”
Her eyes widen and I have a feeling she’s about to talk me out of it, but I don’t give her a chance. I just hand the phone back to her friend. “Make sure she doesn’t leave.”
Then I’m cutting through the line of people before anyone can register what I’m doing. I hustle down the stairs hearing echoes of my name everywhere I pass through. Then, a minute or two later, I’m pushing my way through the double doors and getting hit with the cool breeze of an autumn night. Any other time, I would stop to enjoy it, but I can’t tonight. Something is pressing me to find her, to make sure she didn’t bolt. It’s crazy. I haven’t even met this woman but I’m not willing to lose out on the chance to know her. To find out what she’s really about, because so far, everything I’ve seen, has already got me hooked.
“Oh my God!” I hear a gasp from my left. It takes me a second to find her, she’s standing in the shadows of the awning beside several large potted trees. This will actually work in our favor. If I couldn’t see her, no one else will see me.
“There you are.” I smile, slowing down to take the last few steps toward her at a more casual pace.
“I can’t believe you really came out here.” Her hand is still covering her mouth. It’s been there ever since the ‘oh my God’ slipped past her lips.
“Woman, I told you I was coming for you.” I stop an inch or two later than I normally would, and still several inches sooner than I want. Then, because it seems wise, I slide both hands in my pockets for now. “You’re the writer with an affinity for stormy weather.”
The hand slides down at last to reveal her mouth, which can’t seem to decide between surprise or the most adorable goddamn smile I’ve ever seen. It’s not full out. It’s sweet, and shy, but smug at the same time.
“Arizona told you about that too?”
“Is Arizona the crazy woman who stood in line just to insult me and then ask me for a favor?” I ask, smirking.
She rolls her eyes, clearly trying to hide her embarrassment. “Sounds like her.”
“She did tell me a whole bunch of stuff, but that part I heard you say for yourself.”
She’s back to surprise. “You did?”
“Yes.” I confirm with a nod, slowly tipping back and forth between my heels and toes, hands still tucked away while I contemplate how to take this conversation where I want it to go. Then I stop rocking. I lean in ever so slightly. “Know what I haven’t heard anyone say yet though?”
“That eavesdropping is rude?” She smirks, shyness and surprise fading quickly.
I grin back at her. “Your name.”
Now she seems confused. “You want to know my name?”
“I do.”
“Aren’t you just going to forget it when you walk back inside and have your next meet and greet with a woman who actually stood in line for you?” she teases.
I clasp my chest dramatically. “Ouch. Is that really what you think?”
She shakes her head slowly, a small smile still lingering. “No. But I think that’s what Iwouldthink if I was being smart enough to think it.”
“Well, think this,” I pause to retrieve my phone from my pocket. “I would like to ask you your number. So I can call you later and have a real conversation about real shit, not just some phony little meet and greet small talk, and I’d really prefer to add you into my contacts under your name as opposed to ‘the-holy-shit-goddamn-woman’.”
She laughs and I think I’ve got her convinced. “It’s Kenley.” She cocks a brow at me, still smirking. “Though, I’m not againstthe idea of being Kenley-the-holy-shit-goddamn-woman in your phone.”
“Girl, I have a feeling you’re going to be theholy shit, goddamnwoman for a long while to come.” I tap the screen of my phone and pull up the contacts. “Now then, how about that number?”
KENLEY
What. The fuck. Just.Happened?
I mean. I know what happened. Hell, I’m still staring at my phone screen displaying the proof of it in my hand. But I’m still not sure I fully believe it.
“Did Knox ever make it out here? I just passed him inside, getting mauled by about fifty women halfway back to the loft,” Arizona rattles off before she even reaches me. “Oh, never mind.” She takes in my expression. “Based on what’s happening here,” she swirls her pointer finger around my face as she says it, “I think I can safely conclude you had your in person meet and greet.” She grins. “You’re welcome.”
