Page 10 of Sky Full of Stars

“I have a hard time believing Ada said crap,” I laugh. Her wife, Ada is one of the most strait-laced people I’ve ever met. She never curses, which is always a surprise to people that she is with Izzy because Izzy cusses like a sailor on the regular.

Izzy closes her eyes and rubs them. “I may have got sentimental over him, he was my first client but he’s draining the life out of me and the publishers are getting pissed. He’s costing them money.”

“We can work with him,” I suggest to her. “He won’t be the first. We’ve turned them around before now.”

“It’s been five years,” she lets out a huge breath and sips her green tea. “Writers block and subpar work is not making anyone happy. We can’t write the books for him. I need to make the hard decision.” She slaps the palms of her hands against her thighs, coming to her decision. “Set up a meeting,” she says. “Later in the week though, I can do without it for the next few days. Get Beatrice to screen his calls too.”

“You okay, Iz?” I asked after a few moments. She looks tired. There is a long pause before she finally answers me.

“Ada is sick.”

“Oh no, what’s wrong?”

“Run down, no appetite, abdominal pains and vomiting.”

“Stomach flu?” I suggest.

“Probably,” she waves distractedly. “Go set up that meeting and why don’t you pick us up some lunch, I feel like a Reuben.”

“Sure Iz, let me know if you need anything else.”

I leave the office, feeling uneasy. Izzy would never normally eat a Reuben sandwich, way too much fat. But I don’t question her further, she doesn’t seem like she wants to talk.

After work, I meet Brooke and Megan at McAllister’s. Megan started hanging out with us more regularly a couple of weeks ago, she gets on with Brooke too. They’re already there at one of the booth’s laughing. I go say hi to Lou and he pours me a draft beer and fills a bowl with peanuts for me. I munch on them as I ask how his wife, Julie is. We catch up for a while and I notice a couple of guys going over to the booth where Megan and Brooke sit.

“Want me to get rid of them?”

“Relax, Lou, they’re not doing any harm.”

“Yet,” he narrows his eyes. I laugh, get off my stool and walk over. Megan and Brooke greet me. Brooke introduces me to the two guys. I nod my head and slide into the booth.

“You girls come here often?” the dark haired one called Miles asks.

Brooke laughs, she’s tipsy. “Dude, really?”

He laughs too, he isn’t at all self-conscious. “Can we buy you girls a pitcher or two?”

“Sure, why not,” Brooke smiles. The two men go to the bar. “The quiet one seems into you, Meg.”

Megan nods but she’s staring at the table. I watch her for a second but don’t say anything, I’ll keep an eye on that. When the men come back, we scoot over so they can fit in the booth on either end, penning us in. Megan fidgets next to the blond guy called Jason. He tries to make small talk with her while Miles and Brooke flirt. I’m sat between them drinking my beer feeling a little like a third wheel. Brooke can talk to just about anyone and Miles pours her another beer. I ask if he can excuse me so I can go to the bathroom and Miles can get closer to Brooke. After I use the bathroom and wash my hands I look at my reflection. I don’t want a guy, I’m happy being single.

As if he knows my thoughts, I get a text.

Chapter Four

Adam: How’s my favourite lady boxer?

I catch myself smiling again. Another woman comes into the bathroom and glances at me. I nod, recognising her as a regular. I lean my butt against the counter.

Me: Can’t complain

Adam: Still alone?

Me: Nope. In a bar with some friends

Adam: Ah, I’ll let you get back to them

Me: It’s okay, couple of guys are buying them some drinks

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