Page 62 of Night's Fall
Tucked by the shelves there was a used mid-levelProSeam-StitchIbought that had been malfunctioning, butMr.Tanugu’sbrother fixed it for me.
There was a cozy corner whereIhad another drafting desk.
In another corner was a counter, aBev-Buddyand small-sizeCook-Companion.
Yet another corner held a curtained dressing area, and in the last, a walled-off bathroom.
ButIwas ensconced in the center of the room in a loveseat sitting atop a thick, circular rug and flanked by tables whereIcould put drinks, plates, pencils, pens and swatches.
This was whereIwas when the display on myPalmlit, and the tinkle of bells (my tone to tell meIhad an incoming vid comm) sounded.
I grouchily turned my attention to the display, annoyedI’dbeen interrupted.
The grouch exited the building, and maybe even the planet, whenIsawHRHPrinceAlekseion the display (of courseIprogrammed in theHRHand thePrince, because…duh, it was hilariousandhot).
I snatched it up, saying, “Engagevideo comm.”
His glorious face filled my screen, and he didn’t look bleary-eyed at all.
“Hey,”Igreeted.
“Bloody hell, have you been up all night?” he asked.
I should be concerned about the state of my face.
I was not concerned about the state of my face.
“Look!”Icried, grabbing at the padI’dset beside my chair.
I showed him the sketch.
“That’s the heroine’s wedding gown,”Iannounced.Iflipped the page. “That’sthe gown she’ll wear when she meets the hero.”Itossed the pad aside, seized another one and showed him that. “Hero’scostume for when he battles his first troll.Andthis!”Iexclaimed, flipping the page. “Trollin loincloth!”
His chuckle sounded, andIdropped the pad to see his face soft with humor.
Maybe my favorite look on him, though, it had stiff competition.
“So the answer to my question is…yes.Youwere up all night,” he remarked.
Again,Ishould probably worry about looking a fright, butIdidn’t.Iwas far too jazzed, far too hyped, far too caffeinated, and far too happy to be chatting with him.
I also didn’t confirm, becauseIfigured he got the gist.
“Are you onThoth?”Iasked.
“Just finished my first meeting.Ihave a few minutes before we need to head to lunch for another one.”
He’d finished his first meeting?
He’d already arrived?
I glanced around distractedly. “Whattime is it?”
“Eleven forty.”
Whoa.
I probably should lay off the coffee, wind down and crash.Atleast for a few hours.ThenIcould hit it again.
