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I shook my head as I reread her email. I was determined to stick to my newfound resolution of taking it easy.
I turned off the computer screen, jotting notes on paper instead.
Carefree, childhood-favorite memories.
Same for vacation. Ask for exact details (especially of places) and infer associated fragrance notes.
Asking for direct smells rarely worked because people couldn’t identify individual notes. To anyone looking from outside, my notes wouldn’t make much sense, but this process worked for me. I started with keywords and half phrases and eventually developed questions.
I had almost forgotten about Carter, but at four o’clock on the dot, my phone buzzed. I startled in my seat. Each and every thought about the focus group flew away.
Carter: Tell me something about you.
I blinked at the screen. Even though I didn’t understand the purpose of the question, I drummed my fingers on the back of the phone in excitement before texting back.
Val: Like what?
Carter: Whatever you want. Something that’s not obvious.
Val: I like to sing when I’m alone.
Only after I’d sent it did I wonder if it was a strange thing to admit.
Carter: Do you also sing in the shower?
Right. I wasn’t going to answer that.
Val: Your turn.
Carter: What gave you that idea?
Val: A question for a question?
Carter: Nah, I ask all the questions.
I toed off my shoes and tucked my legs under me in the enormous leather chair.
Val: But what’s in it for me?
Carter: Your breaks will be much more enjoyable.
I laughed, taking a few seconds to collect my thoughts.
Val: Don’t assume they weren’t enjoyable before. You know what they say about those who assume. An answer for an answer. My first and last offer.
His reply didn’t come right away, but when it did, heat oozed right between my thighs.
Carter: If it pleases you.
The little dots indicating that he was composing a message appeared, and I waited with bated breath for the next words.
Carter: In that case, we’ll need more than ten minutes per break.
I leaned my head back, smiling at the ceiling. Was he negotiating? Well, he was in for a surprise, because this was one of my strongest areas.
Val: No can do. Ten minutes is all I can give you.
He didn’t write anything back, and I glanced at the clock on the display. 4:11 p.m. Damn. He was going to leave me hanging? Two minutes later, after I still had no reply, I shook my head and went back to my to-do list, even though I sneaked a glance at my phone now and again.
