Page 107 of The Thorne at My Side
"Thanks," I mutter finally while my mind wanders to what holding hands with Austin Thorne would be like.
"Wouldn't want to see that new bag covered in tire marks," he jokes as we continue our walk.
"Right, the bag," I bite back my smile as it tries to grow. He wanted to protect me.
"You were about to tell me everything about your digital soulmate," he says as we cut through the park.
I laugh, "I was?"
"Yes, as your friend, I need to approve of this guy."
"We're that close of friends that you get boyfriend approval rights?"
"Absolutely. And who would be a better judge than me? I'm the total package. Since you have turned me down, if I'm not good enough then I am the only one to judge a man who is better than me."
"You're unreal," I laugh. "Okay, let's see, he's thoughtful."
"In a philosophical way or in a I-noticed-your-work-bag-sucked-and-got-you-a-new-one way?"
"Philosophical," I retort andnarrow my eyes at him.
"Okay, fine," he responds and lifts his hands in the air in surrender.
"He's open, he tells me about his feelings towards things."
"What things?"
"Oh gosh, I don't know. We've talked about music, books, I know he likes to cook but not clean up after himself."
"So, he's lazy."
"No," I chuckle, "he's honest, it’s sweet."
"I see," he says thoughtfully. We pause at a corner and I turn to study Austin's face as he watches traffic. His eyes move as he follows different cars or pedestrians, jumping every so often to the next thing. He's perceptive, I never really noticed that about him before. If I’m honest it feels like he can read me like a book.
But then again, DCFox has too. “There are times when it feels like he knows me better than I know myself." I admit right before the light changes.
I start to move into the crosswalk but after a few steps I turn to see Austin still standing on the sidewalk.
"Austin?"
"There's no way to compete with that," he says soberly and then blinks quickly like he's coming out of a trance. "C'mon, time's running out."
And he reaches down for my hand and pulls me quickly through the intersection before the light changes because now it’s my feet that are stuck in place.
CHAPTER 33
For The Record, Again
AUSTIN
"The start-up costs are personnel, the first few author advances, and production people. Printing is outsourced and quickly off set once the copies start selling."
"And you're confident these would sell." I ask as I thumb through the presentation.
"Absolutely, the romance genre is the fastest growing and highest selling subset on the market." Meredith tells me, which I already knew. She's an editor for TMC's book review section and has been working on the side to put together a business plan for a romance focused publishing house for me and Elle.
"Talk me through who I would need to hire." I say as I set the presentation down and look at Elle.
