Page 28 of Endeavor

Kate: Well, at least we don’t have to worry about that. So, slut, give me the deets!

Me: (middle-finger emoji)

Kate: Fine, but seriously, when you see the (eggplant emoji), I better hear about it.

Me: Gotta go, class.

Kate: Likely excuse…

I put my phone away and head to my class. I’m not as prepared as I should be because last night, I lay in bed daydreaming about Grady instead of finishing my reading. Maybe dating a guy while I’m studying for my master’s is a bad idea.

I find my seat in my class. It’s funny how most college and graduate-level classes don’t have assigned seating, yet people tend to naturally pick a seat and stay there. I always like to sit in the second row on the far side of the room. I don’t want to appear too eager, but I also don’t want to be in the back, looking like I don’t care. Yeah, I probably way overthink this, but it’s just my thing.

The professor walks in and class starts. I half-listen to the lecture, taking notes periodically. But my mind keeps wandering back to Grady. Good God, get a grip, Baldwin. You’re acting like some lovesick teenager with a major crush.

Class ends and I check my phone, surprised when I see responses from both Blythe and Andy that they can meet for lunch on Thursday. I want to squeal with excitement.

Me: OMG!! I have a lunch meeting with Andy and Blythe!!!

Kate: Shit! Well, that’s exciting. Congrats!

Me: Oh God, I think I’m going to be sick.

Kate: You got this. You’ve only been working on this documentary since undergrad.

Me: But this is like next level. I’m an amateur compared to them.

Kate: Breathe. You can do this. I mean, for Christ's sake, you’ve had dinner with a president.

Me: I’ve had dinner with your family.

Kate: Yeah, exactly.

Me: He’s your DAD!

Kate: Yeah, exactly.

Me: Whatever. This is serious!

Kate: Don’t make me fly over there to knock some sense into you!

Me: Could you? I mean, fly here for my meeting. You could pretend to be my PA.

Kate: No and no. You are doing this on your own because you are a strong, independent woman.

Me: I am?

Kate: YOU ARE!!

Me: OK, I got this.

Kate: Fuck yeah, you do.

Me: Thanks for the pep talk.

Kate: (thumbs-up emoji)

I walk to my favorite part of the library. There’s just something about libraries, the way they smell, the quiet atmosphere. I need to think, and I need to get some serious work done.

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