Page 69 of Authentically, Izzy
To: Izzy Edgewood
Date: April9
Subject: Do you need help?
Izzy,
Are you going through some early midlife crisis? For heaven’s sake, did you really want the purple highlights that badly? Well I’d prefer purple highlights to whatever this dreaminess is. I don’t even know what to call it! How can you make a plan if you do not have a plan? That’s why I am a part of your life! It’s all very concerning.
And what on EARTH are you talking about? A man is coming to visit you who lives OUT OF THE COUNTRY?? Why are you pursuinghimwhen you have a perfectly fine in-person specimen who already likes you? You can’t be serious about thisstrangercoming? And which country? The Internet can tell you many things about many places, so I hope you’ve completed a thorough search as you prepare for this madness.
You’d better make sure Luke or Patrick is with you at all times. Can you imagine? I’ve read about online relationships being a cover for more notorious behavior, and you know that those fraudulent emails are usually from foreigners. I’m sweating at the very thought. (And no, it has nothing to do with my hormones!) How much do you know about this “friend,” as you say? From a foreign country? Has he asked for money?
Is this why you’re making such a ridiculous decision not to take the lead librarian position? Izzy, it’s not like you to argue. I feel certain this “friend” is influencing you already.
I don’t like this at all. Where is he staying?
Josephine
PS: I am not going to tell Mother about this whole online situation. With the amount of mismanaged packages she receives from foreign places, just imagine what she’d think of a mail-ordered man! Oh no, it’s too much for her.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Josephine Edgewood
Date: April9
Subject: Re: Do you need help?
Josie,
What did you think anonlinedating service was?
And he’s not being shipped to me. He’s coming by his own accord from a legitimate country. Don’t worry, you’ll like him.
Izzy
PS: Sometimes you’re really strange.
From: Izzy Edgewood
To: Penelope Edgewood, Luke Edgewood
Date: April9
Subject: Re: The transformation of Eli Montgomery
Penelope,
Neither man is vying for my heart, or at least I wouldn’t consider a writer who needs to learn how to write real people and a bookshop owner who lives halfway around the worldvying. Interested? Maybe. That’s still up in the air too. No one’s mentioned hearts or vying.
Your email made me think of something concerning Eli. I won’t share it right now. I need more time to work it out and have a few experiments. Then I’ll let you know for sure, but it had something to do with your statement about my wooing Eli’s heart so much it turned him into the hero he ought to be. I’ve tried to be the “savior” of too many men. I’m not sure I want to try that again. It’s never turned out well for me. It’s no wonder all the “saving” needs to be left to a much higher and better power than mine.
Besides, it might be nice to justbefor a change instead of trying to rescue someone.
Izzy
PS: I’m glad Andrew is proving practically perfect in every way. You deserve to have all your Hallmark-ish dreams come true.
