Page 50

CHAPTER 16

Izzy

Izzy lay sprawledacross the hotel bed, one arm draped over her stomach, phone balanced loosely in her other hand. The room was dim, lit only by the bedside lamp and the faint neon glow from the city skyline outside. The sheets were cool against her skin, but she felt warm, buzzing with restless energy. She had spent the last twenty minutes flipping between apps, pretending she wasn’t waiting for a reason to text Kiera. She didn’t want to pressure Kiera into anything after their phone call the night before.

That conversation had played in her head all day, distracting her as she prepared for talks with potential partners in Denver, replaying on a loop in every free moment.

The excuse she landed on was nothing special, just a simple check in after reading the latest group chat.

Izzy

Hey, how was your day?

It took a few minutes for Kiera to respond, and Izzy was trying not to analyze what that meant when her phone buzzed.

Kiera

You’ll never guess what I did.

Izzy smiled, sitting up against the headboard. She sent back a silly reply, hoping to keep the mood light.

Izzy

Ate some very good cheese.

Kiera

I wish. Try again.

Izzy

Trained a chicken to do the bunny hop.

Kiera

Alas, untrue. They’re just completely uncoordinated when it comes to rhythm. Terrible students.

Izzy

Noted. Okay, sorry to bring the chickens into this. What’d you do today?

Kiera

A pole fitness class.

Izzy stared at the screen, grinning. The mental image of Kiera pole dancing hit her hard.

Izzy

I am very much in favor of this.

Kiera

Oh?

Izzy

For your personal growth, of course.