The Elevator Pitch

Before the last section of the play, the actors and actresses came out to speak to the audience. The importance of communication was expressed. Then, a few pointers about navigating office romance were highlighted to help the fellas understand how not to treat women in the office and how to respectfully approach a woman who showed interest.

The closing scene was not as predictable as one would expect. The leading man had to work extra hard to win the heart of the leading lady. When he finally did, the audience erupted and thundered long and loud.

Jess was highly impressed. She was a little disappointed that the writer was not able to come out that night. Something about having an emergency to attend regarding his charity. A child had gotten unexpectedly sick and had requested to speak with him. Jess thought that was very noble of the writer to do and left it at that.

The twist

Byron was sitting in the park reading the paper. Lunch was good. The weather very nice. The short production run of the play was a huge success. It had been tough missing out on the last day of performance, but in his heart, Byron had made the right call. The child had been one of his protege and the fight against cancer was winning. They had spent the evening talking about facing the end. Byron wished the young man well.

Now. While reading the paper, Byron could not help but think about what this young man would not experience if things took a turn for the worse. In the short time he had worked with the teen, Byron had seen him change his ways with women, improved his grades, and was making something worthwhile of his life.

Helping these teens battle their illness made Byron feel better about himself as well as hopeful for the coming generation. These children had the same rough start he had. They had not made as many mistakes as he had but they could have made far worse ones. With this program, Byron was giving these teens the tools to do better once they won their battle with illness.

Jess saw that Byron was in deep thought and debated approaching him. Had he been his usual jovial self, Jess would have approached and offered the book to him to read. If Byron was as serious about changing, as he had appeared for the past year, then, the book would be helpful as a starting point, Jess thought.

Turning to find a different place to sit, Jess wondered why she was so hesitant to give Byron another chance. They had been working great together. The feeling of being hunted had not returned in over a year. It was looking more likely that Byron was a changed man. Outside of his ways with women, Byron was a great guy. But, that was not enough to sway Jess.

Book Signing

Later in the week, Mia was having another great chat with Jess about the play. Word had broken on social media that there would be one last special performance with the writer of the book. This time, he was bringing along a teen who had miraculously found a solution to his cancer. The community was rallying around the teen to raise funds for the special solution. This would greatly extend his life.

Jess was all too happy to let Mia know about the other book the author had released. Mia had not yet gotten a copy. The two giggled as they talked about some parts of the book. Unlike the first, geared towards a younger audience, this one was geared for a more matured audience.

Mia’s eyes were wide and exited to hear about some of the details. Jess was definitely appreciative of the details the author had provided. The blushes were very telling… and promising.

The two agreed to catch up and attend the special production of the play together.

As Jess waited for the elevator, as Mia had ducked into the ladies room, her mind drifted to one of the scenes in which the leading man was seducing his lady for a night of naughty passion. Jess pulled herself back into reality, as the author had painted a scene she had longed for. Real life was so cruel.

Byron managed to catch the door of the elevator just in the last possible second. Jess was quite surprised and didn’t pull her face back to it’s normal resting b-face she gave Byron.

“Good book” Byron said as he entered the elevator.

Blushing intensely, Jess wondered how Byron knew about this book. It was not his type of reading. It was very sophisticated romance with sprinkles of delicious naughty sensuality. There were pockets of raw intimacy, something a predator did not know much about.

They rode the elevator silently. Byron did not want to discuss the book. His mind was on other things.

With a polite wish of good night, Byron stepped out and vanished quickly into the parking garage. Jess was surprised that he had not flashed a warm flirty smile or had given his signature head nod before leaving. He had not turned back to look at her. Jess suddenly realized she missed the attention from Byron. The charm was good. It was always respectful. Byron had never treated her like a prize to win, even though she knew that was what he was thinking.

Arriving at the theater, there was a line for a book signing. There was a lot of couples eagerly waiting to have their books signed. Some had copies of the first, others of the second, some of both. The media was there as well.

By the time Mia had joined Jess, the line was getting close. The two chatted about the book and shared notes. It was clear that Mia agreed it was a great realistic yet charming read that made women dream of the possible. Men were given a road-map by which they could level up their connection with women. The author was a genius story teller.

An announcement was made that the book signing was over because the play had to start. The author would be back to sign more copies after the play.

The play was all the more moving. Scenes had been changed and improved. The audience reacted more fervently. The guest appearance that Mia had made, but avoided talking about, was played by the teen who had found a miraculous solution for his cancer. The standing ovation was electric as he delivered his part from his wheel chair.

In the closing scene, Jess was floored to see Byron on stage making the closing guest appearance. The audience exploded. Byron was some kind of local hero or something. Jess could not understand.

After the play, Mia kept avoiding Jess’ question. The book signing took a while. Eventually, the line moved. When Jess stood to the desk to have her book signed, her heart stopped when her eyes connected with Byron.

Mia handed her book. The two shared a joke as Byron signed her book. Neither blushed, noted the flabbergasted Jess.

“You…” was all Jess could say in disbelief.

“Yeah, me” replied Byron as he signed her book… after taking it from her hand, as she was still standing in disbelief.

“But.. How?” Jess wondered.

“Maybe we shouldn’t tie up the line for the others” Mia said.

The person behind made a comment that motivated Jess to leave. This was too much for her to understand.

Once in the car, Mia urged Jess to open up her book and read what Byron had read. Jess urged Mia to read hers first.

Dear Mia. Your friendship has helped me grow. Thank you for the support. I’m honored to sign your book

Jess asked Mia if she had finally scored Byron. The side eye convinced Jess to drop the idea instantly. Looking nervously at her book, she slowly opened to the signed inside jacket.

To the woman who convinced me to stop being a jerk

“Isn’t that sweet…” Mia teased.

“No… it’s not” Jess said quietly.

“No?” Mia asked

“No” sighed Jess.

Jess felt the need to go on a vacation. It was not possible that Byron was anything other than a jerk. A leopard could not change it’s spots like this. It was only a matter of time before Byron slipped back to his ways.

“Check out the middle of the book” Mia said to Jess to pull her out of her thoughts.

“Why?” Jess asked.

“Do it, you know you wanna” Mia playfully jabbed at her friend.

Flipping the pages to the middle, a note fell out.

I know you think I’m this horrible jerk… so I signed as I did. There is a lot more about me you don’t know, but this is not an invitation to get to know me. I just sincerely thank you for resisting my foolish efforts to win your heart over. Now I can teach others how to be wise, prudent, and honorable… so they don’t miss out on a heart of gold like yours… in their lives

Before Jess could ask to be taken home, Mia slipped the car into gear and silently drove away. Whatever was in that note for Jess, Mia understood, had moved her friend’s heart.