The brunette nods with understanding in those caramel eyes.
“I totally get it. And I can’t risk my career either,” she says. “Being an author is what I’ve always wanted. If sleeping with you is going to affect me getting published, then I don’t think we should either.”
I take her hand in mine. “I won’t let that happen, Elisa. I promise. You will absolutely get published.”
She doesn’t look convinced, but her face slowly softens. I stand and walk to her side of the desk, taking Pattie’s seat. “So, let’s get to know each other.”
“Okay,” she says quietly. “But where do I start? This is a little awkward, don’t you think?”
I raise an eyebrow at her, that small palm warm in my big one.
“Only as weird as you want it to be sweetheart. I’m interested in anything that comes from your lovely lips.”
She giggles a little but then grows serious.
“Okay, well, I’m an only child. I grew up in the suburbs, and I still live there. I love traveling, but I want to live in the same town my parents live in when I’m married. It’s a beautiful place to raise a family. Writing is my passion. I do some freelance writing, but I work as a social media specialist to earn a living. I get to work remotely and pretty much whenever I want, so it’s a great gig. How about you?”
Hmm, very interesting. So she’s family-oriented. I like that.
“I’m an only child, too. I think.” I decide not to get into that right now, quickly moving on. “This business is pretty much my life. I’ve always loved books, so getting to publish them is a dream come true. I’m a city guy and I can’t really imagine living in the burbs, but your town sounds amazing.”
She smiles with understanding.
“I like living close enough to the city that I can visit on a whim, but far enough that I can breathe.”
“Makes sense,” I nod. “The city can get claustrophobic.”
She smiles again.
“But there are things about NYC that I love too,” she hurries. “And if you live here, I’m sure you’ve adapted, what with the museums and book stores. That’s something I wish we had up around our town. But we only have one book store, period, and it’s called Idlewild.”
“Idlewild?” I ask curiously. “As in the old name for JFK Airport?”
“Yeah,” she laughs. “Because it’s a book store devoted to flying. Specifically, books on aviation. As you can tell, I don’t buy a lot from there.”
I throw my head back and laugh. It sounds quaint but also cute. A bookstore devoted to flying? Pretty obscure, but kind of cool in its own way.
“So what else?” I ask invitingly. “Tell me more about your childhood.”
Elisa blushes, but she starts talking. She was always a little lonely as an only child, and always hoped to have siblings. But her parents, Bob and Elaine, decided that one was enough, what with both of them having careers. As a result, Elisa’s hoping to have at least four children to make up for her childhood, if not five or six.
“Six?” I ask, taken aback. “That’s a huge number.”
“I know,” she says, blushing. “That’s why I have to live in the suburbs and not in the city. Because what apartment here has six bedrooms? Seven if you include a master suite for the parents.”
I don’t mention that I live in a penthouse that has eight bedrooms because it seems unnecessary right now. Honestly, I’m knocking around in there like a loose rattle because what single guy needs eight bedrooms? But hey, I got a good price and it’s been an amazing investment. It should be worth at least twenty mil when I sell it.
But suddenly, selling doesn’t seem like the right thing to do. In fact, it’d be kind of nice to have a passel of kids underfoot with a loving, beautiful mother like Elisa. The brunette continues laughing and talking, unaware that I’m having these thoughts. Holy fuck, have I gone crazy? Am I actually envisioning domesticated life with a woman by my side and a dozen rugrats underfoot?
But it’s true. Elisa seems to have changed me within this short time. She’s gorgeous, intelligent, with family-oriented values. Who better to raise a dozen kids with? They’d suckle at her breast before growing up to be incredible, enlightened adults.
Holy fuck. Holy shit. Is this really me? I’m thinking about a family? Children? Even a dozen children? Oh shit. I’m literally dizzy with confusion. It’s like my world’s been turned upside down, and what was forwards is now back.
But fortunately, I’m able to hide my disorientation from the beautiful girl by nodding, smiling, and asking a couple good questions at the right moments. We talk until my assistant calls to say it’s time for my meeting. Elisa and I both stand.