Page 4 of Starting Our Chance

Yet, the thought of Lore finding work anywhere else pushed me to just say it—screw finding the right words.

Me: Hey, are you up?

There. That was a safe start. Right?

I then flipped the phone over and over in my fingers and tried to calm my racing heart. My palms were sweaty, and I knew I only felt hungry because I was nervous. I just hoped this job offer was appealing enough to a woman of her talents.

Lore: Did you need something, neighbor-boy?

I smiled as I thought of her sitting up there and messaging me. I wondered if she was on her window bench, curled up in a blanket, or sprawled out on her bed. Or under the covers, in a nightie. I shifted slightly, telling my mind not to wander.

Me: I have a job lined up for you . . . if you want it.

Her reply was instant.

Lore: Oh, that’s so kind of you! Thank you for going to all that trouble for me.

It wasn’t a bother, darling.

Me: I can tell you about it in person.

I held my breath. Maybe it was too bold. But God, I wanted—needed to see her again. It had just been a few hours ago that I had been standing in her kitchen, but now that she was back and speaking to me, it had already been too long.

I saw the bubbles that told me she was typing a reply, but when the message appeared, my heart fell.

Lore: Just shoot me a message. Or you can be old-fashioned and call me.

She was already tormenting me. I wondered why she wouldn’t see me. Because it is almost midnight, you fool. I hoped that was it, but what if she wasn’t having the same earth shattering reaction to seeing me again that I was having to seeing her?

I pushed the green button voice call and listened to the ringtone breathlessly. When she picked up, I coughed a little to clear my throat. “Sorry, don’t mean to bother you so late.”

“Oh, I was reading in my nook, so don’t worry about it!”

I licked my dry lips and launched ahead with, “I have a job for you. The pay won’t be what you were used to in the big city, but the work is sophisticated like you prefer, and you start Monday—for a trial run.”

“Duke!” Lore’s hushed whisper suppressed her delight, but it was still palpable. I squeezed my eyes closed and wished that I could see her face.

“It’s with a friend of mine. She’s a big tycoon type and her name is Nikki or Nicollete LeConte.” I rushed through the name, hoping like hell that Lore didn’t think something was going on between us. “She’s an investor. I’ve learned a lot from her, and she needs an administrative assistant. I know you were thinking something temporary, but you might find you like this line of work, and it could go somewhere for you . . . if you wanted.”

“Why, Duke, you’re just so smart.” At that tone, I knew that Lore’s eyes would be twinkling. God, how I missed that look. I could feel a blush creeping over my neck.

Unable to find the words to reply, I let the conversation hang in an awkward silence.

Finally, Lore sighed into the phone, “I’m going to hit the sack. Tell your friend that I’ll see her Monday morning. Text me where and when, will you?”

“Will do.”

After we hung up, I watched the light in her room for a few more minutes. Eventually, it turned off. The darkness, however, made me bold. So I typed out a final message.

Me: Hey, I’m really glad you’re back, Lore.

There was no use hiding how I felt about her.

Lore: Me, too, Duke. Me, too.

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