Page 9 of David's Love

“What makes you think it’s someone in Colorado.”

He laughs at the other end of the line.

“How well do you know me, man?” James says, prompting me to smile.

“You think it might be someone important enough to make me tailor my travel plans accordingly?” I toss back at him.

“I hope she is.”

I chuckle and ponder for a moment.

“What would happen if she was someone important?” I ask in a much sober voice.

“You’d need to get your priorities straight.”

“Are you talking about our business dealings?”

“Not in the slightest. You’re too big and powerful to be subservient to that. And I’m perfectly aware you don’t need to do any of that. You’re practically doing me a favor. That’s not to say I don’t value your expertise. Trust me, no company would go bankrupt if you didn’t do what I asked you to do, but the incentives are there. That aside, I’m all for you prioritizing your personal life. That’s why I said what I said. Let me know how it works, and we’ll figure something out if you can't cover the entire period.”

“I can do it,” I say. “It’s just that I might be traveling back and forth.”

“It’s up to you, man. And I do expect you to spend the holidays with us. You can bring your new woman over to our house.”

“I’m not sure about that.”

He laughs again.

“You know better. You seemingly have a thing for writers. Maybe this one is meant to be the one.”

“We’ll see about that,” I say, smiling.

“All right, man. Keep me updated.”

We end the call, and I place the phone down, slowly sighing.

I once had thought I met the one.

A swig of hard liquor rolls down my throat before my phone rings again.

Slowly moving the tip of my tongue over my lip, I pick it up and glance at my phone.

“Miranda?”

A trickle of angst stirs in me. My first thought goes to Julie.

“Is everything all right?” I ask tensely, placing my drink on a side table and leaning forward, a hand rubbing the back of my neck.

“Hi. Yes. I’m sorry for this,” Miranda says.

Her voice is relaxed. Thank God.

“No problem. I just didn’t expect your call. Is Julie fine?”

Her soft chuckle reminds me of Anna.

“Julie is more than fine. She just left. We had dinner and talked about you. She told me you’re in New York.”

Less tense, I sag back in my chair.

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