Page 37 of David's Chase

We leave my hotel suite and take the elevator down. The doors pull close, and her eyes fly to me.

For a few good seconds, she studies me while I evade her gaze.

“I’d love for you to find a woman one day,” she says, and I move my eyes to her.

“You’re a good woman, Julie. But you know that won’t happen.”

“Why?”

“Been there, done that.”

“Not all the people are the same.”

“I won’t argue with you on that, but I’m not the same man.”

“The same as in…?”

The elevator pulls to a stop, and the doors slide open.

“It’s a long story, and you have a plane to catch,” I say, inviting her out.

We exit the elevator and head to the lobby.

“I have a feeling you’ll never tell me that story.”

“Your gut is right.”

Smiling, I open the door for her. The driver greets me and rounds the car while Julie and I stop a few feet away from him.

“It’s not a good story. And it belongs to the past,” I say, taking her bag and sliding it into the back seat. “We’ll talk,” I add, yet she doesn’t move.

“Listen…” she says, moving closer. “I don’t know this woman,” she utters quietly. “But I like her. There is something about her that I like. It’s how she makes you come to life and do stuff you haven’t done before. You care a little. You blush a little. There is a kernel of excitement in your eyes. Maybe she’s not your princess, but she surely has some power over you. Good power. I’m just saying,” she adds in a different voice, pulling away from me. “And she’s fun, Boss,” she murmurs, a smile curling her lips.

“You don’t know that.”

“Oh, but I do. I see it here.”

She draws a circle with her index finger, pointing to my face.

“You can’t wait to see her. And that’s huge considering––”

“Go,” I say, grinning. “Have a safe flight. And text me when you land. I want to make sure you’re all right.”

“Cool, Boss. Have a wonderful evening.”

Julie’s pink hair vanishes behind the tinted window and the car glides away, and I have a feeling that she and Elizabeth should always have someone to protect them.

They both are some of the best things in this world.

DAVID

The Hotel Lobby

Minuteslater

“Wouldyou like a drink from the bar, sir, while you’re waiting?” the woman asks, ready to take my order.

“Sure. Scotch, neat.”

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