Page 25 of That Friendzone Feeling

“Excellent,”Chasesays as he walks backward toward the door. “Thankyou for your time this morning.I’mso sorry to cut it short.”

Hepoints at me. “Can’twait to taste more of those beers,Walker.”

Thenpoints atEm. “AndEmily,I’lltext you the details.Seeyou later.”

Andwith a wave, he turns and disappears out the door.

Emilyleaps in front of me, grabs my biceps and bounces up and down.

“OhmyGod,Walker.Thatwent so well.”Herfingers grip my arms, and there’s a joyful flush in her face that makes me think bad thoughts of other circumstances under which she might do that.

“Helikes us.Andthe business.”Shebeams. “He’sperfect.”

Isn’the just.

8

EMILY

Walkingalong the hotel hallway lined with spotlighted historic black-and-white photos ofNewYorkCitytoward the door ofChase’ssuite is like heading into my crucial finalMBAexam, anticipating a jury verdict, and waiting for the cutest guy in school to pick me up for prom all rolled into one.

Thisman could be our savior, andIneed to be at the top of my game to win him over.Firstimpressions this morning suggest he could be genuinely into it and great to work with.Theyalso suggest he’s exactly as delightful, smart, and easy to get along with as media reports and interviews always say.

Andmy, oh my, oh my, he’s good-looking.Andtall.Andfit.Witha broad chest and shoulders.Basically, he’s a perfectly shaped perfect man.

Walkerwas so odd afterChaseleft this morning.WhileIbounced off the walls with excitement that we might be able to save our company from an untimely demise, hedefinitely had something bothering him under his seemingly pleased exterior.Thenhe took off toBathgate.AllI’veheard from him since is one text about an hour ago saying, “Goodluck.Andtake care.”

ButI’llworry aboutWalker’smoodiness later.Rightnow, all that stands between me and the man who could save our ass is this door.

Itake a deep breath, hitch my laptop bag higher up my shoulder, straighten the paisley patterned wrap dressIchanged into after a quick post-work dash back toWalker’sto freshen up, and lick my teeth in case of stray lipstick.

Heregoes everything.

Irap on the door.

Twoseconds later it opens, and the man who is everything anyone could want aHollywoodactor to be opens it with the whitest of celebrity smiles.He’schanged into jeans and anLAGalaxylong-sleevedT-shirt that sits tightly across his chest, the sleeves pushed back to reveal his forearms.Mymind flashes back toWalker’sarms when we were bowling.

Chaseis also shoeless.Whitesocks poke out from the legs of his jeans.

Andhere’s me in my business dress and heels.Butthere’s no room for feeling uncomfortably overdressed—I’mon a mission.

“Emily, hi.”Hesteps back to let me in.

Ishove the insecure schoolgirl who’ll never match up to her sister to one side, pull my shoulders back, and stride past him like a woman bearing the best business offer a megastar could wish to hear.

“Hi.Didyour meeting with the director go well?”

“Itdid, thanks.Can’tsay anything about it yet, butI’llhopefully be onBroadwaynext year.It’stime to get back tomy theater roots for a while and away from all thatLosAngeles…stuff.”Hescrews up his nose.

It’samazing how ordinary he seems.He’ssomehow managed to hold on to reality and not get sucked into all the lavishHollywoodbullshit.Thisguy’s the real deal, huh?

Andholy hell, so is this room.

Iwas surprised when the hotel details he gave me weren’tThePlazaorTheFourSeasonsorTheMerceror the other standard spots for the rich and famous.Thissmall place tucked into a corner ofGreenwichVillageis entirely different.Fromthe entrance on the street, you’d barely even know there was a hotel here—the front desk was subtly hidden away on the second floor.Ithink it used to be an old firehouse. “Engine17” was etched into the brick over the double front doors.

Walkerwould have loved the distressed sofas in the lobby.Andthe muted rust and green tones of this room, which is like the love child of anEnglishcountry house andGQmagazine’s style section.

Heavycurtains pool on the floor, framing the floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors that open onto a terrace.Infront of them is a small dining table with a bottle of red wine and two glasses in the center.Andin the sitting area, flames flicker in a fireplace.