Page 83 of Some Like It Hott

7:34 a.m. PDT

It’s okay! I get it. Can you talk now?

Icall his office line, because he gave me the number in case I needed it.

A man answers.

“Franklin?” I ask.

“And who would this be, pray tell?”

“This is Natalie.”

There’s a long silence. Then Franklin says, “Natalie. Would you by any chance happen to be a big fan of Italian pastry?”

“That’s me,” I say.

“Did you like the food?”

“I loved it! Thank you so much!”

“Don’t thank me,” he says. “I was paid generously for my time. It’s just nice to see Preston doing something that isn’t work.”

“Speaking of Preston, any chance you can squeeze me into his schedule?”

“That implies that he has a schedule, other than ‘respond to the latest crisis.’ He’s in a meeting right now,” Franklin says. “But I can have him call you when he gets out.”

“That would be awesome.”

1:09 p.m. PDT

Can I call you now?

3:04 p.m. PDT

Damn, sorry, was running body painting. I could call you now?

6:32 p.m. PDT

Are you still at work?

9:42 p.m. PDT

Preston? I’m heading to bed. Miss you. Good night!

10:14 p.m. PDT

I’m so sorry—I’m going to try to come home this weekend to see you?—

7:19 a.m. PDT

That would be amazing.

8:03 a.m. PDT

Scratch that. New crisis. But the weekend after. I swear. I’m so, so sorry Natalie.

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