Page 20 of That Friendzone Feeling

“Goodnews?”IaskSterling.

Hetaps the corner of his grinning mouth and turns his eyes to the presumably perfect cloudless sky above him. “Ma-a-a-y-be.”

“Oh, come on.”Ishake the phone. “Thesuspense is killing me.”

“Areyou familiar with…”Hetakes a dramatic pause. “ChaseCooper?”

Thishas to be a joke.

“You’rekidding.”Ilook over my shoulder atWalkerand jump, startled to discover his face right next to mine.He’sbent forward to bring him eye level with the phone.And, apparently, me.

“ChaseCooper?”WalkerasksSterling. “Asin the realChaseCooper?Theactor so talented he can playHamletone minute and a movie action hero the next?”

“Andis incredibly handsome and witty and charming?”Ichip in.

“Yeah, that too,”Walkeradds.

“Yup,”Sterlingsays, his pride at an all-time high. “Andhe’s super smart and works with all sorts of charities.Butdon’t get too excited.”Hisgaze drifts higher to someone standing in front of him. “I’llbe there in a minute, promise.”

Helooks back at us. “It’sby no means a done deal.He’sat the early stage of taking an interest in investments.He’salready on board with a cell phone company and in talks with a financial services provider.ButI’dheard he was looking for something more fun, something he can actually engage with.So,Itapped his people.Andthey just got back, saying he’d like to meet with you.”

Everythinggoes hazy, fuzzy around the edges, and the inside of my head feels like it’s being beaten by the whiskWalkerused on the eggs.Imight be about to pass out.Leaningback onWalkerwould help steady my swirling brain, butI’ddefinitely better not do that.

“ChaseCooperwants to meet with us?”Ilook fromSterlingtoWalkerand back again. “Withus?”Ireally need to double-check.Sterlingnods. “Unbelievable.You’reamazing.Thankyou.”

“Mypleasure,” he says. “It’smyraison d’être.”HisridiculousFrenchaccent is as amusing as my mom’s is annoying. “Bychance,” he continues, “Chaseis inNewYorkfor meetings about his next film.Heshould be able to fit you in tomorrow.Someonewill call you.”

“Greatwork,Sterling,”Walkersays, straightening and moving out of my orbit.

“Youmight have just saved all our lives,”Iadd.

“I’mhere to serve.”Sterlingtugs at the bill of an imaginary cap. “ButlikeIsay.Nopromises.”Hewags his finger at us. “Ican only get you the meeting.Youhave to land him.It’sup to you guys now.”

“Thankyou so much,”Itell him. “Youcan’t know how much we appreciate you doing this while you’re on vacation.Nowhave a fabulous time, and we’ll see you in a week.”

Sterlingblows us a kiss and hangs up.

“Oh, myGod!”Ijump off the stool and beforeIrealize whatI’mdoingI’vegrabbedWalker’shand and am squeezing it. “ChaseCooper!”

Shit,I’mholdingWalker’shand.Ilet go and clap instead. “Canyou believe it?Notonly might we have a new backer, but he’d be better than anyone we could have dreamed of.”

“He’scertainly well connected.”Walkerpicks up our coffee mugs and takes them to join his plate in the dishwasher.Helooks inside mine and rinses it outfirst.

“Everyoneloves him.”Mybrain bubbles with possibilities. “Imean, what’s not to like?Rich, handsome, talented, likable, funny.Andhe has a social conscience.Hedoes a thing for the homeless everyThanksgiving.AndI’venever heard even a whiff of scandal around him.Nowomanizing or anything.”

Walkershuts the dishwasher, leans back against it, and folds his arms. “Mostof it is probablyPRbullshit.Noone can be that perfect.”

Itip my head to the side and pout. “Aw.Areyou worried he might put a dent in yourMr.Pcrown?”

Walkeradjusts his imaginary headwear. “Noone will ever dent this.”

“Hmm.”There’sa chance he might be right about that too.

Ipick up the remaining toast from my plate and push my stool back under the bar. “Anyway, let’s get to the office and prep for how we’re going to handle this meeting.”

Ihead across the vast loft toward my room.

“It’sokay,”Walkersays with exaggerated sarcasm. “I’llscrape this bit of egg away and put your dishes in the dishwasher.Youjust carry on.”