Page 162 of Champagne Nights

“Good morning. Are you at the station?”

“Yeah. I’ve been here since six a.m. How about you?”

“Yep. I’m sitting at my desk.”

Carly walked by my office, and I abruptly stopped her.

“Carly, can you take my picture?”

She stopped and gave me a funny look. “Sure, Paisley.”

I handed her my phone, and I hopped on my desk, holding up my Starbucks cup as she snapped a picture.

“Oh, look how cute you look.” She smiled as she showed me the picture.

“Thank you, Carly.”

“Any time, Paisley.”

I sent the picture to Ben.

“You look beautiful, Paisley. Thanks for sending that.”

“Thank you. Your turn.”

A few moments later, his picture came through. He had a great smile and perfect teeth.

“There’s that smile again,” Kenny said as he sat down across from my desk.

“Hi, Kenny.”

“I just wanted to give you an update on your sex column. It’s doing really well. People seem to be eating it up as much as your relationship column. I’ve noticed a big difference in you in the past month, and I have to say I like it. I’m just going to come right out and ask you. Is there someone special that’s responsible for this change?”

As I sat there and stared at him, I didn’t know quite what to say. “Well, I have a new friend.”

He nodded. “A new friend, eh? What’s his name?”

“Ben,” I replied with a grin.

“I like Ben. Do you like Ben?” he asked.

“You don’t even know Ben, so how can you say you like him?” I laughed.

He got up from his seat and stopped when he reached the doorway. “He makes you smile again, so, therefore, I like him.” He winked as he walked down the hall.

I softly smiled and dialed my mom. I needed to tell her that Ben and Leah would be coming for Thanksgiving.

“Hello, darling.”

“Hi, Mom. I wanted to let you know that Ben and his sister will be coming over for Thanksgiving if that’s all right.”

“Of course, it’s all right, Paisley. I didn’t know Ben had a sister.”

“She’s seventeen, and it’s a long story. Are you cooking tonight?”

“Yes. Would you like to come for dinner? I’m making Rosemary Chicken.”

“Yep. I’ll be there. I have to go, Mom. I’ll tell you more about Ben’s sister later.”

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