Page 10 of Foreplay on Words

As soon as I’d met Isobel at a book release for another author, I’d begged for a transfer.

“Finish getting your mess packed and get on the road. You’ll end up sleeping in your car if you miss your check-in.”

There hadn’t been any major chain hotels within ten miles of Evan’s address. He really was taking the writing in seclusion a little too seriously.

There also didn’t seem to be any chain stores of any type within the same radius of his little town. How that existed a few hours outside of three major cities astounded me, but maybe leaving the metropolis of Boston for a while would be good for me.

“I know, I’m going. I found my laptop cord. My suitcase has been packed for hours.”

“Looking forward to getting updates, have a safe drive,” she sang like she hadn’t been making fun of me.

“Thanks, Is. I’ll text you when I get there.”

After she hung up, I looked around my apartment to ensure I hadn’t forgotten anything else. Living alone was nice, and my building didn’t allow pets, but it was also a little sad that nothing would change between now and whenever I returned.

Despite living in a major city and having the modern world at my disposal, I was just as alone as Evan.

The drive was quite pleasant once I got out of the city traffic. Both Massachusetts and Connecticut had some stunning scenery.

I wasn’t sure exactly what I was getting myself into as I ventured further into the increasingly rural countryside. It was only a few hours’ drive, but it was like being on another planet. I was used to modern and historic blending seamlessly in an urban environment.

There was nothing modern about Ashford. It was a quaint little town with many historical markers, a few summer camps, and only four thousand or so residents. If you wanted to be left alone, this was the place to do it.

The bed and breakfast Isobel had booked for me was exactly what you’d expect from the pictures. An old colonial farmhouse that’d been restored to cater to the tourist traffic they got during the fall. It was gorgeous, and I was already getting the itch to start writing. Something about the picturesque scenery inspired me.

The owner was extremely sweet and was happy to take me on a tour of her lovely home and surrounding acreage, explaining the history of the three-hundred-year-old property. She told me about several pubs and restaurants available within a twenty-minute drive and left me in my room with a promise to see me at breakfast.

I knew Isobel was waiting to hear I’d checked in, so I quickly texted her before I forgot.

Chase: I’ve arrived. It’s lovely.

She didn’t respond immediately, so I put my phone down on the bed and pulled out the packet of information that Adrian had sent me. It had a post-it note on the top with Evan’s cell phone number listed, as well as his address.

Evan knew I was driving in today, but we hadn’t communicated directly yet. Isobel and Adrian had been our go-betweens. I’d been too nervous to contact him, not knowing exactly where I stood. Writers could be very possessive of their work, and I knew I needed to tread carefully.

“You’re a big girl, Chase. You can do this,” I reminded myself.

I picked up my phone and opened a new text screen. Carefully typing in the numbers on the paper, I tried to compose a message in my head before my fingers started moving.

Chase: Hi, Evan. I’m here.

No, too vague. He might not even have my number in his phone. I deleted the message and bit my lip before I typed in a new one.

Chase: Evan, this is Chase. I’m at my hotel now.

No, it sounded like an invitation. Ugh. Shit. Had Adrian even told him my real name? I had no idea.

I closed his text screen and opened Isobel’s.

Chase: Does he know my real name?

I saw the little dots show up and then disappear. She’d seen the message but wasn’t responding.

Adrian: 4 pm, the address I gave you. Don’t be late, he’s expecting you.

Was Isobel with Adrian? Why wasn’t she responding?

I didn’t even know if he knew who I was.

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