Page 77 of Destined To Fall

“Hold up!” I hear the TV go quiet and then the unmistakable sound of keys pressing in the background.“That’s you? If you hadn’t pointed it out, I never would have recognized you.”

“I know. That’s kinda the point. It’s amazing the difference a short black wig and killer tan can make.”

“When do you get back?”

“I fly in on Thursday.”

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages. Want to get together, hang out, eat some food? Maybe…my place? I’ll order dirty Chinese and get you hooked onGoT.”

“You’re sex deprived and you watchGame of Thrones? You are a masochist.”

“I’m starting to think I am. So, what do you say?”

“I can’t.” I wrinkle up my face.“Antony is in town next week.”

“Oh.”

“As tempting as that sounds—”

“But you’re out of action for a week?”

“Yup. Friday we could do a late lunch. I’ll be back by then. Meet you at work?”

“Yeah. You should get back before someone notices you’re hiding in a bathroom. I’ll text you updates. Okay?”

“You’re the best.”

Chapter Fifteen

I’m in a funk.Days. It’s been days since I last heard from Jeremy—well, almost. Not since the text updates on Sunday. What’s with that? I’ve heard from him daily for the better part of three months.It feels weird not to hear from him.Has it really been that long?Are we even on for lunch this week? Seeing he’s ignored my last few texts, I figure there’s only one way to find out.

“Miss Vivienne, what a pleasant surprise.” Max’s stuffy secretary looks anything but pleased to see me waltz into her office space.

“I bet,” I mutter under my breath.

“Mr. Thatcher is out of the office at the moment. Can I take a message?”

“Actually, I’m looking for Jeremy.”

“Jeremy?”

“Yes, the younger, more attractive Thatcher. The son.”

“I…I, but, he…Jeremy?” I scoff as she stammers.

“Yes, Jeremy.”

“He…he isn’t here.”

“What do you mean,he isn’t here?”

“Mr. Thatcher ishomesick.”

“Sick?” I call bullshit.

“Yes, that’s what I said.”

That’s unlike Jer.“What’s wrong with him? He’d have to have the plague not to come to work.”

---