Amazing Love Story (NG1)

15 - Realistic

He could kick himself. He was so bloody stupid. Why did he say those things? He was so embarrassed he ran with her dog, which was also bloody stupid. It was bad enough he couldn't stop looking at her lips. Then he had to open his. Hell, hell, hell, bloody hell!

He used to spend Saturday night getting pissed and romping with Pen. Instead, he spent the night writing about making love to an imaginary character who, in his mind, had become Victoria. He thought it was good, but didn't know who should read the pages to reassure him. Not his mum, it would be too weird. Lillian was the logical choice, but he could tell she liked him. He thought of Victoria, but quickly dismissed the idea. He'd already crossed the line. The answer was either Imogen or Kendall. He was leaning towards Kendall. Imogen was his mum's agent and practically family.

Having Victoria knock on his door was fiction becoming reality. He was tripped up in the fantasy and was no better than Neill approaching a woman who wasn't his. At least Victoria knew right from wrong. Penelope missed that lesson, but at least it didn't hurt as much as it had when he left London.

Monday morning he missed Victoria, but knew she was asleep. Wednesday morning would be the test if he scared her away. He didn't want to think of the possibility when his phone rang.

Lillian's voice was professional. "Kendall is requesting a meeting this week. Would Thursday midmorning work?"

Lilli had taken the first few chapters to give to her boss. "What did she say?"

"She wants to meet."

"I thought we were friends." He felt desperate.

"She would like a meeting, Mr. Clark."

She must hate it. He could hear her ordering him to start on the next Astara and Roman adventure right away.

"Fine. But for the record, I like The Point Lilli better than Boston Lillian."

"She knows you're a terrible driver and suggests you take the train or the bus. I can drive you back. I'll send you information on both. You can take an Uber from the station."

"Brilliant." He didn't mean it.

He hoped for a knock on his door each afternoon, but it never came. Wednesday morning he woke to rain - not drizzle and mist, but down-pouring rain. The next morning, he was off to Boston. Since he had memorized her schedule, he knew her next morning after a night off was Sunday. Going a week without seeing her added to his sour mood, Kendall's summons and missing his muse. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do. He punished himself by remembering she belonged to another man.

Matthew chose the train, because he was accustomed to train travel. When he wasn't thinking about the real redhead, he worried about what Kendall had to say about the fictional one.

Lillian retrieved him from the lobby, looking like the regular Lilli, except dressed nicer than at the seaside. If she wasn't his mate, her skinny skirt might stir up trouble in his trousers. She pinned her dark hair up, showing off her elegant neck. As they stood in the elevator, her thin blouse did little to hide her protruding nipples. He admired her like he might a piece of art without feeling the need to touch. Had she dressed to attract him? Kendall had warned him about Lillian and he wouldn't go against the woman in charge of his career.

His lack of interest in Lillian led to thoughts of Victoria. "Will you drag me to the bars with your friends again?"

Lilli smiled. "The Beach House is open. I'm sure Lily will want to go."

He smiled and nodded. He liked Brady and Lily Two, but hoped she would mention Victoria.

"Don't look so sad. Kendall will not bite you. You're a big boy."