BETWEEN HELLO AND GOODBYE

nk about it… and it

er full attention. “What did he do? Did he ask you

l me his name or anything personal about his life. “He asked me to date him

elationships? Seems pretty reasonable since you’ll be over nine thousan

s. He told me he was rich and he would make the next three months of my

s of your life and fantasies comin

ere’s the whole issue of having sex with someone I don’t love. I’m not sure I can do that “You’re overthink

I’m considering it. “You

l you go home and wonder wh

r is clear. “Of

ock at our bedroom

says. Max

e’s a delive

lights up. “What k

owers and a cat

told you I knew how to play the game.” It looks like Max

breakfast pastries. Kim holds a bottle of champagne in one hand and orange juice in the other. “Mimosa

ank envelope and her smile fades after

all of this be for me? From him, the

u won’t regret saying yes.’

p in a failed attempt to hide m

art of the game, so what has changed? Maybe he decided he is more interes

mb over his written words. The penmanship is masculine. I’m sure he signed it personally.“

s pissed. “Come on. You just met this guy

Kim tops up her champagne with some orange juice.

“K

s his bedroom door. “You shouldn’t have said

“Oh, he’ll get over it. So, wh

right, I can always back out. “He asked me to meet him tonight

e so hard up by the time he sees you walk in. You have to show up late. I have the perfect little bl

s. Wow, she’s right. It is low. And short. Maybe even too short. I hold it up a

is gonna be too

u mean too shor

s attitude suggesting he is unhappy about the prospect of my new acquaintance. He doesn’t speak to me all day, but that’s all right. I may be stayi

o meet Preston . Kim wants me to be late so he’ll sweat it out

know. I apply my makeup as I stand with one towel wrapped around my hair and one around my body. I decide t

. The smoky eyes and scarlet lips are definitely going to get his attention but my upswept hair makes my bare back call out to be to

structs me to do a spin. “B

so it’s her job to say stuff

s all you, and he’ll know it wh

get it on with this guy. “He’s not peeling

e. I prepare because this isn’t something I would expect from her. “Listen to me,

t to blow my mind with deep, philosophical advice. I’m

“Have a great time. Text if you see

“Yes,

he couch. He doesn’t make a move to even glance in my direction, s

’m almost hyperventilating by the time I wal

’s ridiculous that I feel like I’ve won some sort of b

ight this way.” She leads me to a table for two in the same dimly lit corner we occupied last night. As I w

o see his reaction to t

ing. “I didn’t know if you’d…” He trails off and I know he’s giving his “full attention to th

dress just fine. “I didn’t intend on

glad you did. Yo

eyes lock with mine and I give him a smu

urn is complacent. “Did you like

“I

o have that again or

shrug. “Th

in his chair, seemingly pleased with himself.

lf slouching. I can’t show any sign of weakness if I

’s so beautiful and confide

Yes, I know that’s considered rude at dinner, but I like the confi