David was due back soon, he'd left to check on the security in Clayton's building. David was going to allow Clayton and I to have dinner at his place, but he had wanted to make sure that it was safe. He had set up extra security besides Travis to ensure my safety.

"Jaidyn, you ready to go?"

He was back already? I hurriedly sprayed some of my perfume.

"Coming…"

David and Nanci were in the dining room.

"I've got new batteries for your cell phone. How much cash are you carrying?"

I replaced the batteries in my cell phone, placing a call to the Elliot's house to confirm it was working. Then I checked my cash.

"80 dollars."

"Put 40 in your pocket. The rest in your purse."

Doing as I was told, I headed out the door.

Suddenly, my phone rang. Confused, I answered with question rather than a statement.

"Hello?"

I took in a deep breath when I realized who it was.

"Yes, I know Ray… It will! No, I am not procrastinating… Aren't I allowed to enjoy myself even a little?... Whatever… Bye."

Grimacing, I prayed that David wouldn't ask who was on the phone.

"Who was on the phone?"

So much for that prayer…

"Umm… it was one of my professors. I have a paper due tomorrow.

Unfortunately, he wasn't dumb. He called me on my lie and I stiffened trying to retreat both from him and the look of steal in his eye.

"Easy, I understand why you did it. Lying tends to become a habit when we've been doing it for so long." David was referring to the fact that I hated to admit that I was actually published, even if it was only children's books.

"Sorry… my publisher raised some subjects I would rather have dealt with tomorrow."

"Jaidyn, look at me." He waited until I raised my eyes to him. "It will still be an enjoyable evening."

I nodded, even as I was surprised that he had hit the problem right on the head.

"Yes, I know it will—"

David cut me off with his hand. "Squirt, you're getting British on me again. Stop hiding behind formality. Take a deep breath and relax."

I did my best to do as I was told, though still upset about the untimeliness of the phone call. I also blushed at his pointedness about my British accent. My mom was British and whenver I got upset, the accent came out ever so slightly.

"You'll get your book in on time… do I need to drop you off at your dorm room after your date tonight so that you can actually work and not be lazy?"

I contemplated the question and finally nodded in an affirmative.

"Okay, good. Now, let's go so you can enjoy your date."

Giving one last hug to Nanci, I headed to the car. I was going to enjoy tonight whether it was the last thing I did, be that cliché or not!

My date had gone well. Quite well, in fact. However, it had also gone late. Because of that, I climbed out of bed around 11:30 and began a shower to clear away the cobwebs. My publisher had requested that my book be postmarked Monday. Apparently, he didn't care that I also had another script due Monday for class. Ah… the life of a writer.

Throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, I began towel drying my hair, when I heard a knock at the door.

I opened the door to find Nanci and Cat with McDonald's food in their hands.

"What are you two doing here?"

"We brought lunch," Cat answered as if that was enough of an explanation.

Opening the door wider, I let them in. Though there wasn't much room, Cat, Nanci, and I had quality "girl" time for an hour before Cat said that she needed to get back to work. I hugged both of them and thanked them for being considerate. As if lunch wasn't enough, before leaving, Cat placed her phone number written on the McDonald's receipt in the palm of my hand.

"Call me tonight when you are done—you can come hang out at my place and celebrate the completion of your book over ice cream." Offering a grin, I agreed.

Seven and a half hours later, I was nearly falling asleep over the bowl that Catherine had served me. Thankfully, her husband and child were not around tonight; I was barely being sociable with just her. Catherine seemed to realize my problem.

"Come on, Jaidyn." Catherine had to hall me to my feet. "I don't want to see your face until after 9:00 tomorrow. Sleep is now a priority."

Appreciative of the solitude, I crashed in the room she had led me to, quite similar to the night that I first met David and Nanci.