Zoe & Daniel's Story by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

Author:Carolyn Ridder Aspenson [Aspenson, Carolyn Ridder]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-24T06:00:00+00:00

* * *

I’d just settled into writer’s mode on the bed in my suite when someone tapped on the door.

“Room service,” Daniel said.

I should have known that would happen. I didn’t want to face him. I wanted to forget him. “Just leave it, and I’ll grab it in a second. Thanks.”

He tapped again. “Zoe, you can’t avoid me forever.”

My cell phone rang. I’d checked messages last night and texted with my editor and must have not put it back on do not disturb. “Sorry, phone’s ringing. It’s my agent. I’ve got to take this.”

“We need to talk, Zoe.”

“Hey, hold for a second, okay?” I said to Leslie, my agent. I hesitated, but walked to the door and opened it. Daniel grinned, and I took the tray of food from him. “I can’t right now. Phone call and book to write.” I conjured up a smile. “Thanks for bringing this up.” I closed the door to Daniel with his mouth hanging open.

“Hey Leslie, what’s up? You scouting other publishers for me?”

“Don’t be silly. Just checking in. Wanted to see how the trip and book are coming along.”

“So far, so good. I’m almost finished, actually. Maybe another two days at the most, and I can get it to the editor and get back to my life in Atlanta. This nature stuff is wearing on me.”

“Are you having fun at least?”

“I guess. I mean, it’s been interesting, that’s for sure. Hey, can you do me a favor?”

“You name it.”

“There’s this author I’d like you to check out. He’s staying here too, and he told me he’s with a small press, but he got a package from my publisher, and it doesn’t make sense.” I filled her in on Daniel’s info.

“Not familiar with him, so he can’t be all that popular,” Leslie said. I heard her typing on a keyboard. “Well, he’s for real at least. I’m on his website now.”

“I’ve seen it, too. It’s just strange. He lied about the package, and I saw the label.”

“What does it matter?”

I shook my head, more for myself than my agent. “It doesn’t, I guess. I just…we…I don’t know. Can you just look into it for me, please?”

“If it’ll help you finish that book, of course I will.”

“Great, thank you. I appreciate it.”

“I’ll check back with you in a bit.”

We hung up, and I took a big bite out of the sandwich, realizing then my stomach needed the sustenance.

Two hours later Daniel knocked on my door again. “Zoe, please. I don’t know what I did, but I’d like to talk to you about it.”

I cracked open the door, and let him in.

“You know, don’t you?”

I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands tucked under my legs. “I—”

“You saw, didn’t you? That’s why you’re giving me the cold shoulder.”

“Saw what?”

“I spoke to Leslie.”

Heaviness weighted down my lungs, and I struggled to take in enough hair. “Leslie?”

“She told me you saw the label on the package, from our publisher.” He moved toward the bed.

“Our—what?” I flew from my comfy spot and flipped around to face Daniel, who’d just sat next to my empty space.

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