Page 61 of Kiss Me Forever

Chapter Seventeen

Luke

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Ikick-started thenext morning with a run. I did that when I was restless, usually either late in the evening or early in the morning, mostly to avoid the heat, though I couldn't escape the humidity. After running for ten blocks, I was drenched in sweat when I arrived back at the penthouse. Then I had an idea. I called my cousin Kimberly. She’d flown back to Paris two days ago. It was afternoon there, so it should be a good time. She answered after a couple rings.

"Cousin, to what do I owe this pleasure so early in the morning for you?"

"Hey, Kim, I need a favor."

"I'm all ears."

"I need tickets to Cirque du Soleil." She worked for a travel agency, but she had connections to event organizers here in Chicago.

"Oh, those sell out fast. For which show?"

"The one tonight."

Kimberly laughed. "Oh, wait! You're serious. Okay. Are there none left on the website?"

"Not in the best sections, and I want the best."

She sighed. "Oh, Luke, you never ask for much, but when you do, you pull out the big guns, huh?"

"Can you help?"

"I'm pretty sure I can. Let me make a few phone calls. I'll get back to you in a couple hours."

Kimberly replied to me before I left for the office. She always said she'd take a few hours, but she made things happen within minutes. She emailed me two tickets as a PDF, then said,PS I'm not sure if there’s a story behind why you need the tickets, but if there is, then I want to know.

I went straight to the office even though it was god-awfully early. I had a full day ahead. There was no one around. I printed out the tickets and took them to Megan's desk. Putting a Post-it on it, I wrote,Enjoy!I assumed she was going to go with her friend Nina.

Closing my door, I sat down behind my desk and went through the to-do list for the day. I kept looking at the phone. Jesus, I was like a guy in high school, waiting for a text. It was exhilarating. I hadn't felt anything like this in years. I was content that I'd done something that would make Megan's day better.

At eight thirty, my phone lit up with a message from her.

Megan: Oh my God, thank you so much for the tickets. I wasn't expecting that.

I replied right away.

Luke: You're welcome. Enjoy.

She typed back quickly.

Megan: Want to join me? I was going to go alone.

I felt so fucking triumphant. Now she'd mademyday better.

Luke: Fuck yes.

I had back-to-back meetings for the rest of the day. The last one was across town. Before leaving the office, I texted Megan, offering to pick her up from home. The show started at 8:00 p.m. at the Chicago Theatre. She insisted on meeting me there.

I didn’t press the matter. If tonight went the way I wanted it to, soon enough I’d get to pick her up from home and take her on a proper date. But first things first. I bought white lilies and waited for her in front of the theater.

She arrived five minutes later, grinning from ear to ear, zeroing in on my flowers. Hell yes, that was exactly the reaction I wanted.

"Are these for me?" she asked when she stood in front of me.

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