Page 31 of The Write Knight

?As soon as I read her message, I see a text pop up from Miles, but then my phone shuts off. I sigh, reaching to my side table to get my charging cable. This phone does not stay charged very long anymore. To be fair, it is several years old, and I am surprised it has lasted this long. I need to make plans to get a new one whenever I have free time. This one is definitely unreliable. As I wait for the power to come back on, I get my laptop and open it to the last page I wrote on my manuscript. I reread the last paragraph, so I know where I left off. I begin typing away. A few pages later, my phone rings. Looking at the ID, I see it's Miles. I answer right away.

?"Hey! I've been waiting to hear from you."

?"Lizzie, I got your message and have been trying to get in touch with you since." I wince at his tone. Damn phone.

?"Ugh. It's this stupid phone. I saw you messaged me right back, but then my phone turned off. It has been acting up lately. I plugged it in and was waiting for it to charge and turn back on."

?"I'll get you a new phone. You can't have one that's undependable. I must be able to get in touch with you. Or, what if something happened and you needed to get in touch with me?"

?"Calm down. I’m already planning to get a new one. I just have to figure out when I have some free time. I guess I could go tomorrow."

?“No. I'll get you one. Plus, tomorrow is your birthday, baby. You don't want to stand in line for hours on your special day."

?"Miles, you are not getting me a new phone. It's my responsibility, I ju—."

?"Lizzie, will you stop being so difficult and let me help you? I could have it delivered right to you. You wouldn't have to wait in line. I can just make a phone call, and it would be ready.”

Sometimes I forget about the billionaire status that is tied to Miles' name. I forget that he can get whatever he wants with a snap of his fingers. "Miles," I sigh. I don't want this to turn into an argument. He is used to getting his way, but I don't want him to spend all his money on me. Well, not saying he could even spend all of it in a lifetime. I guess I don't want to be a burden or seem like I’m after him for his money.

?"I'll take that as a yes then. I'll get you the newest one, so there won't be any issues with my being able to get in touch with you. Now, how was work?"

?"We were very busy. There were new servers in training, and it did not go well. I had a platter of alcoholic drinks spilled all over me because one girl wasn't looking where she was going and ran right into me. It was awful."

?"That's unacceptable. Are you all right?"

?"Yes, of course. That isn't the first time something has been spilled on me, and I guarantee it won't be the last. It's just part of the job, unfortunately."

?"I wish you didn't work there. It sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth."

?"Well, we can't all own our own companies, Miles. Besides, this is temporary until I finish my novel. I was working on it when you called."

?"Oh, really? How is it coming along?"

?"Really well, actually. I think I will be done with it soon."

?"Wow, I didn't know you were that far along. When will I get the chance to read this Lizzie Brighton original?"

?"Well, I don't know. You read manuscripts all the time. Those, I'm sure, are the best of the best. I don't want you to look at me differently if mine totally sucks."

?“Lizzie, how could you ever think something like that would color my opinion of you? Besides, I know it will be brilliant because you are. I believe anything you touch turns to gold. So, I have no doubt that you have a best seller on your hands."

?"Thank you for saying that. You're being very kind."

?"Look at the clock. Happy birthday, baby. I wish I was there with you right now."

?"I do, too." A yawn escapes my lips.

?"You sound tired, Lizzie. Get some rest, and I will talk to you later today, birthday girl."

?"I am exhausted. Are you home?"

?"I am. I got home right before I called you this last time. Seb is here because I recorded the Princeton basketball game. We knew we wouldn't be able to watch it live."

?"Oh, that's good that you’re getting some brother time in. Just wanted to make sure you were home safe. How did the meeting go? We’ve only been talking about me. I'm so sorry!"

?"Lizzie, I will always want to talk about you. But it went very well. Seb and I were able to sway them to invest in our company. So, it was a very good dinner."

?"That's such great news! I'm proud of you."

---