Page 21 of Twenty Years Later

Shocked and confused that he was actually leaving, I couldn't find any words to say. So I just took my phone from him and set the clock for six-thirty.

He kissed my cheek. "Go back to sleep. Sorry for waking you up."

And with that, he headed for the door. I lay back down and pretended to close my eyes, wondering if he'd look back at me.

But he didn't.

He just quietly shut the door behind him as he left—leaving me stunned and feeling very much alone.

Chapter Seven

Jayda

Hours later, freshly showered with several cups of coffee in me, I met Kaileen downstairs in front of the conference room.

"Well?" she asked, her face lit up like it was Christmas. "What happened? Did youdo it?"

I could always count on my best friend to make me laugh. "Yes. Yes, I did."

Her jaw dropped, and she smacked me on the arm. "Jayda Jenkins! I'm so proud of you for getting some!"

"Shh," I whispered. "We don't have to tell the whole writers' conference about my one-night stand."

Kaileen laughed. "So? How was it?"

"There are no words," I said as dramatically as possible.

She clutched at her heart. "Oh, my good Lord..."

I wandered away into the conference room because I didn't really want to talk about it, and I certainly didn't want to reveal that he hadn't even spent the night.

Besides, in the shower that morning as I had washed him away, I'd decided to not let that bother me. I would take it for what it was—one amazing night with my high school crush that I would cherish forever along with all the other monumental memories of my life so far.

I was beyond grateful that the day ended up being crazy busy and I didn't have a minute to myself. People even talked to me in the bathroom, which was kind of annoying but also funny. I mean, these writers treated me like I was a celebrity, a boost to the ego for sure.

My emotions were literally all over, from elation to pure misery, and I wondered how just one night could so completely affect me like that. Every second replayed in my head all day long as I chatted with people about their writing.

Finally, the day was over, and I looked forward to a quiet dinner with Kaileen where I could unwind and then a video chat with my darling daughter before she went to bed.

The huge room had mostly emptied out, and Kaileen was by my side as we entered the hallway. I looked up, and my heart stopped because just outside the conference room, leaning against the wall and looking sexy as all get-out, was Alex.

"Whew," Kaileen whispered next to me, echoing my thoughts. "He is so fine."

Yeah, he was. Just like something I'd write in my books, he seriously gave me butterflies deep down in my belly, especially as flashes from last night whipped through my mind—the feel of his lips on my skin, his head between my thighs, his body entering mine.

Shut up, brain, before I mounted him right here in the hallway.

"Hey," he said in that deep voice that vibrated right through me. "Sorry for stalking you. I would have called, but I still don't have your number."

"Okay, that's it," Kaileen said in her mom voice. "Take out your phones right now and exchange numbers."

We both laughed at Kaileen, but we did as she said and didn't argue.

"So," Alex said when we were done, "what are you ladies doing for dinner?"

I glanced at Kaileen. "Well, I think we're just going to grab a—"

"Actually, I have a client to meet," Kaileen interrupted. "So you're on your own, hon."

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