Page 104 of Foreplay on Words

“I know...”

“You know?” she continued yelling. “Are you freaking kidding me? Legal could cite breach of contract on this, Chase.”

“They won’t. I promise.”

“Look, I know you’ve always delivered before, but I’m worried about you.” Her voice was much quieter. Concern etched in her tone.

I looked over to my kitchen table where Evan was sitting—earbuds in, crazy bedhead, shirtless—wearing only pajama pants. He was completely focused on typing on the laptop in front of him.

“I’ve honestly never been better, Is.” My confession was completely, one hundred percent honest. This felt right to be working with him. I’d never done a full collaboration before, but with us, it was seamless.

“Are you still in the city? Did something happen?”

I looked over to make sure his earbuds were still in. Evan was in the zone.

“Only until tomorrow. I met someone,” I whispered quickly. Partial truths might get her to back off a little.

“Like you met someone and you’re having a hot passionate fling to gain inspiration, or you met someone and...” she trailed off.

“I met someone, and I’m fairly sure he’s the real deal,” I admitted. Imagining my future with anyone but Evan wasn’t a reality for me anymore. “No. I know he’s the real deal. He’s all I can focus on right now.”

The phone line was quiet for a few minutes. “Is he there? I’m coming over.”

“No!” I shouted, and Evan startled across the room, pulling a bud out of his ear.

“You okay?” he asked quietly, a small frown on his face. “What’s wrong?”

I nodded as I pointed to my phone. “I’m fine.” I mouthed and growled silently at Isobel.

“No,” I repeated more firmly. Evan was finally relaxed enough around me that he was making solid progress with everything. Isobel showing up could spook him, and I wasn’t willing to risk it. “I promise I’ll come to see you later next month. Right now, I need you to give me space to see this through.”

“You can’t break up with your editor, Chase,” she scolded. “I know you have a personal life, but please keep me in the loop. It’s not like you to go off the rails.”

“I’m not going off the rails, Is. Please stop being dramatic. I’m working on a project and need to finish it before I can focus on something else.”

“Project? Like a writing project?” Her voice sounded a little frantic and a lot excited.

“Kinda.” Shit. I hadn’t meant to tell her. She was way too good at weaseling information out of me. “It’s really kind of a passion project, and I’m not ready to share any…”

“Send me what you’ve got!” she interrupted. “We can pitch it to Sloane and...”

“Is, calm down. You’re going to have to wait for this. It’s not mine to share. I’ll send you a draft once it’s done. This project is a secret right now. If you tell anyone, I’ll pitch it elsewhere.”

“Not yours to share? What does that even mean?” she asked skeptically.

I sat there and tapped my pen nervously on my thigh. Evan had resumed his frantic typing at the table.

“Chase?” she questioned again, sounding a little irritated.

“I’m writing something with someone.”

“Like a book? You’re writing a manuscript with someone and won’t give your editor details?” Her voice still had an edge to it that I didn’t like.

“Yes...” I answered warily.

“Who? Is it someone who even knows what they are doing? I don’t want someone to take advantage of you and jeopardize your career. This isn’t like you.”

I laughed, only focusing on her second question. Evan certainly knew how to do all kinds of things now. “He definitely knows what he’s doing.”

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