The Second Ending: A Modern Austen Persuasion Improvisation (Austen Echoes Book 3) by Riana Everly

Author:Riana Everly [Everly, Riana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Romance Cafe Publishing
Published: 2024-01-24T00:00:00+00:00

The ringing phone dragged Marcus out of his spreadsheets. Who was calling him? No one phoned when he was working at home in the evenings. Shelley knew not to bother him unless something absolutely dire was happening, and then she sent texts or IMs. His mother phoned on Wednesday nights, and his brother only messaged or emailed him.

He blinked the rows of numbers and formulas out of his eyes and looked down at the display on his phone. SDC Legal. Who the hell was that? Was someone trying to sue him? Bastards…

But wait… he knew that name. That’s where Ash worked. He cleared his throat and picked up the offending device.

“Marcus?” Her voice was tentative. “It’s Ashleigh. Ashleigh Lynch.” Like he needed a reminder. He’d only thought of her every night for eight years.

“Ash. It’s good to hear your voice. Everything alright?”

Did he sound friendly enough? Open? Warm, even?

She didn’t slam the phone down, so he must have done something alright.

“I’m fine. Everything is fine. Well, maybe not everything. I’m sorry to bother you at home, but I’ve got a situation with the choir, and I’m hoping we can talk. You might be able to help.”

“Uh, sure.” He saved his spreadsheet and rolled his chair back. “What’s going on? Give me a moment to close this program and my attention is all yours.”

“You’re working? I’m sorry. I can call back.”

“No! Please, it’s fine. I’m happy to talk to you. What’s up?”

Ash started three sentences and got only two or three words into each. “It’s a bit sensitive. Can we talk in person? You can come to my office, if you like, or I can meet you somewhere.”

“Come here. I’ll put on some tea. What time is it? Six. Have you eaten? No? I’ll arrange for food. Do you still like Indian? You’re the one who introduced me to it, and I’ll never forgive you.” He laughed, in case she thought he was serious. “I mean it. When can you get here?” He gave her his address, near where they used to live.

There was a moment of silence. “I’m at the office. It’s not too far. If I leave now, I can probably be there in twenty minutes.”

“Great. I’ll see you in a bit.”

He hung up and caught a glimpse of his reflection on his computer screen. What was that ridiculous smile doing on his face? Idiot.

But his heart sang, She’s coming over, she’s coming over, she’s coming over!

He placed an order for delivery with his favourite restaurant, raced down to the living room to make sure it was suitable for company, and paced up and down like an eager schoolboy until, at last, he heard her tread on the outside stairs and the tentative knock at his door.

She was here!

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