Page 59 of The Ex Factor

I’m thinking of visiting Mary Beth this weekend. Would you like to join me?

I stared at it for several seconds before deleting it. Too formal.

I was in the process of drafting another text when Sujit’s call pulled down on the banner.

“Just say it,” he said without preface.

“Say what?”

“I’ve been watching those three dots dancing for several minutes now.”

“And may I ask what you were doing that you saw those three dots?” I asked with utmost curiosity.

“Waiting for your text,” he said without missing a beat. Haazirjawab, he was. “Just tell me. You know you can tell me anything.” It wasn’t a question. It was a declaration.

“Alright,” I said, “I’m going to visit my friend Mary Beth this weekend, and for some reason, I asked if I could bring a friend….”

I waited for a reaction, but he was smarter. I knew he was flashing his irresistible smile, and it irked me.

“So, would you like to join me?” I asked.

“With pleasure,” he said. “I thought you’d never ask.”

I rolled my eyes, and I heard him say, “You just rolled your eyes. Tell me I’m right.”

“You’re so wrong, you could never be wronger,” I teased, and I heard his heartfelt laughter. “Are you done?”

“Yes,” he said in a soft voice that rustled against my skin and made my insides tremble.

“I’ll have the car service drive us,” I said and penned down a reminder for myself in my planner.

“Don’t,” he replied in the same soft voice. “I’ll drive us.”

The element of romance in that statement, the thought of us driving along highways in the cold weather, the car, warm and toasty, probably soft rock playing in the background…

“Sorry, I have a meeting now, but send me the details—day, time—and I’ll pick you up,” he said when the silence drew out way too long.

“Better bring your best car,” I jested.

“Always the best for you,” he replied, and his soft voice was back in action.

“You don’t mind accompanying me, do you? Truthfully?” I asked.

“Are you kidding?” he said, “How often does one get a chance to chat with Ezzie Strauss, one-on-one?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Does this mean your willingness to accompany me has nothing to do with me? It’s all about meeting Ezzie?”

“Of course, it has absolutely nothing to do with you.”

I could hear the smile in his words.

“Have you met him before?” I asked.

“We’ve been formally introduced on an occasion or two, but I doubt he remembers me.”

“If he’s met you, he remembers you, trust me,” I said softly. Like I remembered him from our two-minute interaction in Dallas.

“Is that right?” he said in a deep, sexy voice that made me want to awaken the rebel in me, abandon all caution, and hurl myself at him.

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