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nice girl, and she devours your books and she-"
    "Sure," he interrupts. "Call her in."
     

Chapter Seven
     
    “And did you see the way he touched my shoulder when he led us out?”
    Lesley beams at me, holding the book up to her chest as we leave the venue and step out into the cold early spring night. She has been bouncing up and down like an excited kid since we were dismissed by Cedric and his employees. The few minutes she had with him made her night. And thankfully, it let her forget about her anger at me.
    Cedric was kind enough to spend a few more minutes with Lesley in the room. He even offered her a drink, which she declined just like I had before.
    “I could never swallow anything in front of that guy,” she later explained to me.
    “What an odd thing to say,” I joked, which caused her to blush as she realized how unintentionally dirty her exclamation sounded.
    I distanced myself a little while they were having an actual conversation about Cedric’s books. I know he was exhausted and slightly annoyed, but being the professional he is, he never let it show and gave Lesley all the friendly attention she so desperately craved.
    It put me to shame, how well she knew his works and how much thought she has put into them. Unlike me, she was able to hold an in-depth conversation about his writing.
    He glanced over to me once or twice, but I always averted my eyes, looking at Lesley instead, while she was talking to him. Seeing her this happy and excited put me at ease. At the same time, I felt incredibly guilty for what had happened before. And about the business card that I was hiding in the back pocket of my jeans. The card with his phone number on it. The card I was to tell no one about.
    I felt bad for having this little secret in front of Lesley. As happy as she was right now about being able to talk personally to Cedric – and have him sign the book she brought – she would explode with jealousy if she knew what he said to me before we asked her to join us.
    I had told her that it was indeed about me signing some form of disclosure because he and his organizers were afraid I might think of suing him or the venue. She just shrugged and rolled her eyes.
    We walk toward the parking lot. My crappy little car is parked very close because we had been among the first people to show up at the venue. Despite having reserved seats, Lesley did not want to take any chances and be super punctual.
    “This is the first time that I understand why people say they would never wash their hands again after shaking hands with someone they have adored from afar for a long time,” she says while we are leaving the parking lot.
    I laugh. “Wow, twenty six years old and we are still acting like little teenage girls.”
    She looks over to me. “We? I don’t see you jumping up and down with excitement."
    “Oh, no, I mean,” I stutter. Of course, she wouldn’t know. I have never been one to openly show my feelings – or talk about them. This is not only about the secret Cedric and I share, but also about me just being the person I am. Acting calmer than I truly feel.
    Plus, she did not see me melt and burn beneath his eyes, when he held my hand up to his face, whispering sweet words while his piercing eyes held me in place.
    I am glad that it is already dark outside, otherwise there was no way Lesley wouldn’t notice my blushing cheeks as I recapitulate the exchange between me and Cedric.
    Lesley and I live close to each other, within walking distance. I am lucky enough to find a parking spot surprisingly fast. It is closer to her place than to mine, but I don’t mind a little walk.
    “Thank you,” she says as we hug goodbye. “For driving me home – and for being the awkward embarrassment you are.”
    “Err, thanks, I guess,” I reply, and we both start laughing.
    She grins at me and turns around to walk home. “Bye, sweetie!”
    “Bye.”
    My eyes follow her for a few moments before I turn around and walk off in