Page 16 of Wrong Place, Wright Time
“Please don’t. I couldn’t take it the boredom.”
“I kind of think that’s the point,” I say, causing Darren to lower his hand and look back at me.
“What do you mean?”
“I think she wants me to want to stay through the boredom. I think it’s the only way I’m going to earn her trust.”
“Well, the woman has had not one, buttwomessy divorces. Her family tried to keep it out of the press as much as possible, but some of their rivals made her out to be a diva no man could handle.”
“Yeah. I saw the articles. But after meeting her, I know that can’t be further from the truth.”
“The media rarely tells us the reality of a story. What is it Denzel said? That these days, it’s not about truth or being right, it’s about being first. It’s about being entertaining and sensational for the sake of ratings and readership. And people like Isla, and Tanner and even Ash, end up getting caught in the crossfires of something that started even before they were born.”
“I asked her why she keeps working there. You know, since everything we learn about Wright Media seems like it’s run by the scum of the earth. And she said it’s because she’ll be the first woman with controlling power when her father steps down. She wants to stick it out and be part of the change.”
“Oh, bless her. Does she realize those old men are going to sit on those thrones of theirs until they’ve turned to dust? And even then, I have a feeling they’ll have holograms set up to keep up the illusion of never ending power.”
I chuckle a little at that visual. “It wouldn’t surprise me. But no, I don’t think she’s realized that. She’s just hanging on in there with her other two cousins, waiting for their chance to make things better.”
“Well, I admire her tenacity. Just like I’m sure she’ll come to admire yours.”
I grin and check my watch, smiling when I see that if I head back home now, I’ll have just enough time to shower, pick up the food and head over to the Upper East Side. Mission complete.
“You want to come in and say hi to the girls, or you on your way now?” Darren asks as he pushes the door open and a Tina Turner classic floats out and mixes with the sounds of the street.
“No, ma’am. I’ve got me a date to get ready for.”
“Well, good luck. And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do—which really isn’t much, so you pretty much have carte blanche on everything.” He gives me a wink and I laugh.
“Thanks for the talk. Good luck with your show tonight too.”
“Oh, cousin. I don’t need luck. This place, it’s where I was born to be. It’s the only place on this planet I get to be me. Unapologetically.”
When we part ways, I walk away ruminating over his final words, wondering if that’s what I’ve found in Isla as well—a place to be unapologetically me. She may be thinking her favorite thing to do is mind numbingly boring to most, but she hasn’t gotten a load of what I enjoy doing to entertain myself. It’s not something I’ve shared with a single other person on this earth, and I have a feeling it’ll either be the thing that brings us closer together, or the thing that’ll make her realize I’m not the kind of man she thinks I am at all…
Isla
“Let him up.” My heart jumps into my throat as I give the word to the concierge, Carl, to allow Banks to come up to my apartment. A hand floats up to check my hair before it smooths down my clothes and my gaze falls to my socked feet, suddenly wondering if my choice to go with my normal puzzle and takeout attire was a good choice. After all, this istechnicallya date. An oversized sweater and thick woolen socks might be seen as total disinterest.
Wait. Do I want him to think I’m interested in him?
I turn and look into the entryway’s mirror, taking in the messy bun, my gold-framed glasses—I normally wear contacts during the day but prefer my glasses at home—and the cream sweater that covers my body to the center of my thick yoga-pant-wearing thighs and cable knitted cream socks. If I was still in my early twenties, I could be considered adorable. But now that I’m pushing thirty, I’m starting to think I look like I’ve given up on life. Something I definitely haven’t done.
Given up on love? Now, that’s a completely different question and something I can unequivocally say yes to. But then a man like Banks comes along, rocks your world, buys you coffee then kisses you in the street, and suddenly you start wondering about all kinds of possibilities. So to answer my original question…yes, I do want Banks to think I’m interested in him. Question is, will he still be interested in me after spending an evening one step away from being bingo night at an aged care center?
Knock, knock, knock.
My breath catches in my throat as I turn away from the mirror and approach the front door, going a little too fast and sliding into solid wood with a thud when my socks fail to provide the friction I need on the slate flooring.Oof.
“Everything OK in there?” Banks’s voice says from the other side.
“Ah. Yeah. Door’s just a little stuck.” I make a show of wrenching the door open. Then I’m just dumbstruck. Because Banks in a tailored pants and vest is stunning enough, but Banks in a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and bomber jacketholdinga bag of Chinese food is what dreams are made of. “Ahhhhh.”
Banks grins—likethatcould possibly help this situation. “Can I come in?”
“Oh. Uh. Yeah. Sure.” I shake off the hungry, lusty images flashing through my mind as I step back, gesturing for him to come on in. “Wine?”
“Sure.”
