The Arrangement
Page 79
“It’s open.”
I was leaning back in my chair, hands folded behind my head. My computer was still on, but the screen displayed the desktop only. Nothing else open.
And that was because I’d finished.
“Hey…”
Kayleen slipped into room, closing the door behind her. She wore a long T-shirt with bare legs, and a blanket clenched over her shoulders. She was bedraggled but cute. Her hair wild, her eyes sleepy.
“I saw the light on,” she whispered. “I can’t believe you’re still up! Did you even go to bed?”
“No.”
“What time is it?”
I glanced at my computer. “Almost three in the morning.”
It must’ve looked odd, me sitting in this uncomfortable wooden chair. Not sleeping. Not doing anything but staring at the cabin walls.
“You’ve been writing all night?” Kayleen asked.
“I was.”
“And?”
“And…” I smiled for the first time in days. “I’m done.”
Her eyes widened. “Done done?”
“Yup.”
She grinned and threw her arms around me, bringing the blanket with her. The hug was warm and comforting. The best part of a long weekend.
“Soo… whatever happens to Juliana?” she winked playfully.
I smirked back at her. “You’re just gonna have to read it and find out.”
Gradually I saw her expression change. It went a little somber, a little troubled. It was totally uncharacteristic. Inconsistent with the rest of our conversation.
“What do you think Jay’s going to say?”
I cocked my head. “Jay?”
She stopped all of a sudden, like she’d said too much. But I knew exactly who she meant. She knew it too.
“Your… publisher,” she fumbled. “You guys said he wanted love interests for the protagonists, right? How do you think he’ll react to one woman? A single character?”
“He’s gonna have to love it,” I said. “She’s an integral part of the story now.”
For a few long seconds, Kayleen didn’t say anything. I could tell she was considering. Weighing something heavy.
“But what if he doesn’t?” she ventured finally.
Our eyes locked, and I saw something that didn’t belong there. It wasn’t just some offhand reservation… it was some kind of knowledge. Something a little more tangible than it should be.
“Forget it,” she said dismissively. She batted her eyes a few times, and her smile was back again. “I’m just playing devil’s advocate.”
She moved even closer in the still silence. The fire had been roaring all night. Even with my door closed, the room was warm. Cozy.