AllFreeNovel
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She told me that she cares for her mother twenty-four-seven, which must mean she’s been confined to her home since she was sixteen. Reading must have been a comfort to her, something she could fit around looking after her mum. Maybe she started by doing a blog reviewing books and movies, and the podcast grew out of that. She’s done extremely well for herself, though, to develop it as well as she has.
How does she make a living out of it, though? She must monetize her podcasts. I remember something then and google Wonderland and Patreon. Yeah, I was right—you can support her on Patreon and get extra interviews, reviews, discussions, and even merchandise. She’s also running a Kickstarter campaign to fund a proper studio that’s already passed its target amount. Wow. She’s quite the entrepreneur. Now I’m really impressed.
Why didn’t she tell me any of this? I’d have been fascinated and would have loved to chat to her about it. But even as I form the question, I know the answer. It’s the same reason I didn’t mention my company on my profile. Being anonymous is part of the attraction. She didn’t want to share herself in that way. She knew that if she managed to hook up with a guy, she wouldn’t be able to develop a relationship with him. All she wanted was the physical connection.
I turn back to the view and prop my feet up again. I’m so stunned. I just keep smiling. It all makes so much sense now. She came across as confident because she’s used to interviewing strangers all the time, but she was also shy because she hardly ever leaves her house. Professionally, she’s smart, innovative, and enterprising, but personally she’s innocent and naïve. What a wonderful combination.
Jesus. I’m absolutely fascinated.
“You’re not wearing the same shirt from last night,” Saxon says from behind me. I turn to see him come into the office. “Do I interpret that as a bad sign?”
“I went home and changed.” I smile.
His eyebrows rise, and he grins. “You spent the night?”
“I don’t kiss and tell, bro.”
“Excellent,” he says, as if I haven’t spoken. “I knew you two would hit it off. Are you seeing her again?”
“Not sure. She lives in Gisborne.”
“Oh.” He blows out a breath. “That’s a bummer.”
“Yeah.” I look at my laptop. “I’ve got her mobile number. Do you think it could be called stalking if I look up her address?”
“I guess it depends what you’re going to do with the information.”
“I thought I might send her some flowers. But I don’t want to invade her privacy.” So far, I’ve only looked up what anyone could discover on the internet. Finding her address will take a little more delving, and I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.
He purses his lips. “Only you know how well it went last night, and whether she’s the sort of person to react in a negative way to that. Girls don’t normally complain when you send them flowers. As long as you don’t follow it up by appearing on her doorstep, I would think it would be all right.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
He hesitates. “No sign of Craig today, I hear.”
“He called in sick again.”
“Yeah. What are you going to do?”
“Try ringing his landline,” I reply, thinking about what Alice said last night. “If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to go to his house.”
“Want me to come?”
“Nah. He’ll probably respond better if I’m on my own.”
“All right,” he says. “Give me a call if you need me.”
“Will do.”
He goes out.
I look back at my laptop. Take a few bites of the breakfast wrap, and have a sip of coffee.
I shouldn’t.
Oh, what the fuck. I don’t think I’m imagining the connection we had last night. She wanted to keep her distance because she’s convinced we can’t have a relationship and she doesn’t want to get hurt. If she didn’t get mad at me coming in her mouth without telling her, I don’t think she’ll mind me sending her flowers.
Whoa. Don’t start thinking about that, Kip.
