Page 12 of Making the Call
Dani
One minuteI’m enjoying a wonderful dinner with the intriguing man before me, the next I’m completely struck with an idea for a new book to write. I don’t really know what happened. I was looking out at Puget Sound, enjoying the view, and the next thing I know, an entire plot came to life. I had to write it down because I knew that if I let it go, I’d never capture it the same way. My freaking phone was dead and to top it off, I left my trusted notebook for such emergencies at home. Leave it to Luke to swoop in and save the day, again. Geesh, this man sure has a knack for doing things like this. But in all honesty, it made my day to simply be supplied with silence and enough paper to complete my thoughts.
I’m not actually sure what brings me back. Maybe it’s the fact I finished my outline, or that I sensed someone staring at me. Either way, once I come out of my revelry, I’m completely mortified. Luke just witnessed me in my “zone,” and seems to think little of it.How embarrassing. He must think I’m the rudest person ever!When we make eye contact, my face instantly flushes with heat. Usually only my immediate family and close friends experience this side of me.
“Hey there,” Luke says as he welcomes me back with a goofy grin that’s entirely too sexy. “Welcome back.”
“Ohmigod.” I cover my face with my hands as I speak through them, “I’m so sorry. I have no idea what came over me. You must think I’m the worst guest ever.”
“No.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “I don’t think that at all.” He’s quiet for a moment. “Did you get everything you need to write onto paper? Or do you need more time?”
I roll my eyes.How is this man so understanding?Chris, my ex, used to get so upset when I’d zone out. As I scrutinize Luke’s face, he almost seems amused, which confuses me.
“What?” I blurt out, not understanding his reaction.
He shakes his head. “Nothing.”
Liar.“No, it’s something. Spill it,” I demand, not wanting to let it go. I have three brothers. I can tell when they’re holding back. I was a better interrogator than my mom, when it came to finding out what they were up to.
His lower lip jets out, and he shakes his head in disagreement. “It really is nothing, Dani.”
“Why are you smiling at me? Do you think I’ve lost all my marbles? Or are you just trying to be polite because I’ve outstayed my welcome, and you can’t wait to be rid of me?”
“Not at all, on either account. I actually found it rather entertaining. You were so tuned into what you were doing, I couldn’t help but wonder what you’re writing about, that’s all.”
Now that’s unexpected.“Well, it’s still rough, but I think I just found a new story to write. It’ll be a stand-alone to begin with, possibly turning into a new series.” I pull my lower lip in as I contemplate how I can make it happen.
“What’s the premise?” Luke encourages as he points to my plate of uneaten food. “Why don’t you finish your meal and tell me more about it.”
Looking at the plate of food, I realize I’ve literally just dropped everything, including my fork and was locked into my zone. I’m horrid company. He seems genuinely interested in what I have to say, but I can’t help but feel a little chagrin about showing him this side of me so soon. He hardly knows me, and here I am being completely self-absorbed. When I gaze into his eyes once more, I don’t see judgement or discontent though. All I see are expressive deep-blue eyes penetrating my defenses. Suddenly, I feel the urge to share what I just experienced with him.
I begin by explaining the method to my madness. He listens with interest as I describe this natural high that occurs when I get into the zone. I go further into detail by telling him it doesn’t matter how tired I become; when I’m there, I can stay in it for hours, just feeding on the enthusiasm I experience.
As I finish, I notice Luke still seems receptive, so I explain how my zoning out contained a story about a runaway girl living on a remote island. She travels by boat each day to get to school, so people won’t find her. She’s faked her address, so she can attend one of the better schools of the area and graduate on time for her senior year. She’ll eventually meet a boy who she’ll become involved with. He’ll become her best friend and help her through her difficult time, but ultimately, she’ll be the one to save herself from a terrible situation. They’ll have to part ways because she gets a scholarship to college. She can’t turn it down. As adults, they’ll reunite. I haven’t worked out the details obviously, but they’ll have life circumstances bring them back together by chance. Eventually, they pick up where they left off, as friends as well as admit that their feelings for one another have never left.
“Wow,” Luke says in disbelief after I finish my lengthy explanation. “You got all that from staring out my window and taking a few minutes to jot it down? Is that how you get your ideas for all the stories you write?”
I wish.I sigh and let out a deep breath. “No. I never know when inspiration will hit. I haven’t felt something so strong in such a long time. I just had to write it down. Sorry for being such a dork.” I shake my head in disbelief of my ability to block everything out.Sometimes it’s not always a good trait to have.“When I get the chance to sit down and write this story completely, hopefully I’ll still feel just as passionate about it, or I may have no connection to it at all. If my characters ‘speak’ to me, I’ll write the story. If not, I’ll move in the direction of other characters who are speaking to me at the time.” I shrug, hoping what I have just said makes sense to Luke.
“How many books do you have plotted out like this?”
I look to the ceiling and tap my chin as I contemplate just how many I have. Honestly, I have no idea, so I mentally tick them off on my fingers. “Probably about ten to twelve.”
Luke nods his head, seeming impressed. “Do you have to commit to them in any order?”
I take a deep breath, trying to figure out where to begin. “Hmm… Well… Thankfully, I’ve been writing a series that doesn’t seem to be coming to an end anytime soon. I need to keep writing those stories on a regular basis to keep my fans happy, but I can add other projects now and then, and they’re usually just as excited. I don’t really have an order per se, but I kind of have one worked out in my head, which characters I want to work on next, based on who I’ve introduced in the previous book.”
Luke’s quiet for a moment when I finish. I still can’t believe he’s genuinely intrigued by what I’m saying. He runs a hand through his inky black hair, and his deep blue eyes shine with interest. Upon further inspection, I notice his face is covered with a sexy five o’clock shadow. Since I’ve gotten to know him throughout the day, he’s even more intriguing. I can’t even remember the last time someone who wasn’t in the book world took interest in what I do for a living.Well, I’d probably have to interact with people outside the book world or my family to give that last statement a fair assessment.
I’m not really sure how long I’ve been staring at him because he catches me off guard when he asks, “How long does it typically take you to write an entire book?”
I sigh as I shrug. “Depends.”
“On?” Luke prompts with interest.
“Time, how well the characters speak to me, how much research is required to make it authentic, random things like that. I’ve written a full-length novel in just a few weeks, but sometimes it has taken months to write a simple novella. It all depends on life and the circumstances around it.” I shrug, knowing I didn’t give him an exact answer.
Luke smiles in understanding as he says, “That makes sense.” The features on his face change to a more serious tone when he adds, “I seriously had no idea what went into writing a book. I’ve simply picked them up for pleasure and enjoyed them throughout the years. You’ve certainly enlightened me this evening. Thank you.”
