* * *
Harlan: Both. All night long. That combo is on the house for you, sweetheart.
The bubble inside me cannot be burst. It’s growing bigger and glowing brighter. I clutch the phone, delighting in the messages from him. Taking time to get to know someone is going to be a blast. Bring it on, dating. Come to me, flirting. I am ready to enjoy every step of my brand-new, slow-down-and-smell-the-roses path.
I’m tapping out a reply when my phone trills.
Zachary’s name flashes across the screen. “Oh, fabulous dealmaker. Tell me things,” I say as Saul slides the car into traffic, heading south on our way to Palo Alto.
“Change of plans,” Zachary says, all cheery and caffeinated. “I called Michelle just now. She wasn’t scheduled for a class today, but I want to send her to the venture firm instead of you. Because I need to send you to a new last-minute client. Came in earlier this week and specifically requested the yoga empress.”
I adjust my imaginary tiara. “It’s good to be the queen.”
“I’m sure it is, your majesty,” he quips, then continues. “I’ve been sorting through the paperwork. The deal isn’t done yet, but they’ve seen your online videos and researched you, and Lacey—she’s the contact—was raving about the class you did last year in Los Angeles for the elite marathoners. The new client is high-profile.”
A smidgen of worry digs in, and I hope my plans for tonight aren’t about to get completely derailed. “Just tell me they aren’t in Los Angeles,” I say. Literally nothing can ruin my day except the cancellation of my long-awaited date with the man I’ve had the most chemistry with ever.
Huh.
That’s how it is with Harlan.
We have chemistry, in bed and out of it. Our attraction burns hot, and our compatibility seems off the charts.
Zachary laughs loudly. “Nope. The new client is in the city, so you actually don’t have as far to go. You’re welcome. It’s Wilder Enterprises.” A fire truck blares its sirens, and I don’t hear what Zachary says next, then sirens blast louder.
When they fade for a second, I shout, “Just text me the info.”
The volume climbs again, and Zachary booms, “I’ll send it to your driver’s GPS.”
“Thanks,” I say, and when we hang up, my phone flashes with the new email icon.
I scan the pertinent details from my VP. The class I’ll be teaching is Ouch! I Can’t Reach My Toes—Yoga for Flexibility.
Ah, that class is so fun. And the deal could lead to more partnerships with other high-profile businesses, Zachary writes.
Sounds good to me.
I tap back a reply.
Katie: On my way.
Then I return to the text thread with Harlan, smiling at the message about his pretend ice cream joint. It’s my turn, so I write back.
Katie: Glad to hear your fictional ice cream shop won’t charge me. For the record, I am all over a foosball and sweet shop.
* * *
Harlan: Someone needs to make that happen. My mouth is watering now just thinking of it. By the way, are you in the mood for sushi, Thai, Italian, Vietnamese, or some other fantastic cuisine tonight? The only thing off-limits is a new boba place in Hayes Valley because my bud Jason is taking a date there, and if we show up too, I’d look like I have no creativity. So don’t say boba in Hayes Valley, pretty please.
* * *
Katie: Darn. I love boba tea!
* * *
Harlan: Ha. Me too. And trying new boba shops is fun.
We text back and forth, picking a location for sushi as the car zips through the city.
“Almost there, Miss Madigan,” Saul calls out.
“Thank you for the heads up,” I say, but I don’t glance away from my phone because talking to Harlan is too fun.
Harlan: Fair warning. I plan on kissing the breath out of you as soon as I see you tonight. Miss those lips of yours, sweetheart.
My stomach flips. Warmth winds through me.
Katie: I definitely volunteer as tribute for that.
* * *
Harlan: Excellent. Now, I need to turn my phone off. We have game film today, and my Lyft just dropped me off at the training facility.
* * *
Katie: We just drove past the stadium. Have fun!
Only, instead of going by the stadium, Saul pulls into the parking lot behind it. That’s odd. Why are we here?
But Saul doesn’t know. The email says to go to the South Entrance of Wilder Enterprises, so I do, even though it looks suspiciously like the training facility for the San Francisco Renegades.
Before I can knock on the door, it swings open, and a woman greets me. She’s petite and peppy, full of energy. “I’m Lacey, and we’re excited to have you here. Your online video on how to balance a crow pose in ten days? Changed. My. Life.” The tiny brunette brims with enthusiasm as she escorts me to an exercise room. I quickly get the room set up with mats and Lacey turns to me and says, “And here is our Super Bowl-winning team.”