Tease Me (The Macintyre Brothers 2)

“They’re recording an EP, right?”

“They are but he’s pretty under control when they’re recording, so I’ll be able to get work done.”

“That's good," I said, smiling, happy that even if we weren't together, at least I could see his face and hear his voice. "Are you excited about the coming week, and the new office?

"I am. I'm thinking of seeing if I could get a paper going on this coast. That way, I'd have both coasts covered."

"You're ambitious," I said with a laugh. "In an age when digital is taking up such a huge chunk of the market, that's going against the grain."

"I have a feeling people are going to continue to read actual print papers, but I would definitely have a digital side. Can't fight progress. We'll see."

We talked for another hour back and forth and frankly, I was glad that Josh didn't bring up a sext session. It was enough to just talk to him.

When I couldn't stifle a yawn and he saw me try, he laughed. "I can see I'm keeping you up. We'll try again tomorrow night and I promise to call you sooner."

"I'm sorry," I said and pouted. "I'm just beat from all the walking and talking. I guess I should take up some kind of sport and get in better shape."

"You could get a bike and ride every day like me."

"Oh, God, I'd be afraid I'd be hit by a car. Manhattan is a lot different from the roads of Concord..."

"You could take side streets to the bike path along the Hudson and you'd be fine."

"I'll think about it."

"Good night, Ella," he said with a soft smile.

"Good night, Josh," I said and blew him a kiss.

He mimed catching it and then signed off. I put my phone away and leaned back, glad that he'd Skyped me, so we could see each other.

I fell asleep almost instantly and didn't wake again until a full seven hours later.

I spent Monday with my mom, doing mostly touristy things. We went to the Museum of Natural History and walked through the exhibits, got some street meat at a vendor parked under a bridge, and then went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and checked out the collections.

Finally, when we were both exhausted, we went to the spa in the hotel and had a massage, pedicure and manicure and met my father for dinner at a restaurant he'd heard about near their hotel.

While I waited for my mom, I got a text from Josh.

JOSH: Wish you were here. The weather is fine, and the sky is crystal clear.

I responded right away, smiling to myself. I had to keep reminding myself that LA was several hours earlier than Manhattan.

ELLA: I wish I was there, too, but I am having a nice visit with the parental units.

JOSH: Enjoy them while you can. I wish I could do the same.

ELLA: I will, and I do. What's on your agenda for the rest of the week?

JOSH: Probably spend my time during the day at the office and then spend time with David at night.

ELLA: You should go surfing or something.

JOSH: I might hit up my brother between recording sessions. He surfs on occasion so he might be up for it.

ELLA: Wish I was there, too.

I said goodbye and wished I was there, but at the same time, I valued my time with my parents.