Page 48 of Give Me Forever

"You're in Chicago, right?"

"Yes, exactly."

"Okay. Listen, I like your designs, but I need a very detailed spec as well as a production plan." He spoke very fast, and I was more than grateful that I hadn’t had any real cocktails. I could barely keep things straight as it was.

"I can make one. When do you need it?"

"Why don't you send it by Wednesday of next week? I’ll email you the address."

"All right.”

“I won't keep you any longer. Have a great evening."

That's it?I thought he’d want to chat for a bit so we could get to know each other better.

“Wait. Can we also schedule a longer call?” I pressed. “I’d like to know more about you and your company.”

“Sure. Let’s chat next Wednesday after I get your presentation.”

I sighed. Then again, perhaps it was better to wait until after I sent him the specs. If he didn’t like them, we’d just waste each other’s time.

"Sounds good. You’ll get my presentation by then.”

He seemed in a hurry. Perhaps he had more potential clients to talk to this evening. I was so excited that I was tempted to call Alana again for a celebratory drink.

"No, no, no, Avery. Don't jinx yourself. Besides, you’ve wasted enough money on drinks. Time to get down to work."

I headed straight back home even though I had so much energy that I could circle the block a few times more. But it was late, and though this was a nice neighborhood, I couldn't be too careful.

I’d expected the loft to be completely dark when I arrived, but to my astonishment, Sam was still awake. He was sitting on the couch with a laptop. Judging by the amount of light on his face, I assumed he was watching a movie or something.

"Hey," I said.

He immediately set the laptop aside, but the screen kept flashing, and I caught a few sentences. He was watching something medical.

“How was your evening?" he asked.

"Amazing. And guess what happened on the way back to the loft? I got a call from a factory owner who's interested in working with me. I've got a few days to put together a plan.”

"Congrats."

"Thanks." I blushed.Oh my goodness."Sooo for the next week, you’re not allowed to distract me."

He watched me intently, then nodded. "Okay. For one week straight, I’m not going to distract you at all."

"And after that?" I inquired.

The corners of his mouth lifted. "No more promises after that."

***

Over the next few days, I buckled down, working on the presentation and my Fiverr gigs. To my astonishment, Sam kept his word. He was gone most of the time, of course, but even when he was home, he was on his best behavior.

"Avery," he said a few days later, in the evening.

"Mm?" I didn't look at him, just kept tapping away at my computer. Then a whiff of something delicious reached my nose.

He pushed a plate of chicken dasheri in front of me.

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