A hint of her businesswoman persona slipped back into her voice. “Ultimately, that will depend on you and what you feel comfortable with. And we’re willing to break it up into baby steps. You can start out slow and if you want to do more and the need is there, we’ll look into you doing more.”
I smiled. “Baby steps. I like that.”
Meagan laughed and then continued. “We’re wanting to start a roundtable talk show about love and sex. As a tie-in, we need someone to write content for the Web site and we want that person to know what they’re talking about. You could still keep and post to your personal blog.”
My head spun. Me? Write? For a job?
“Meagan, I’ll admit my first thought is that surely you can find someone with more experience to write for you,” I managed to sputter out.
“Of course we could,” she said. “But we don’t want them. We’ve seen your work and we want you. Like I said before, your voice, your use of language is delicately sensual and that appeals to a lot of people.”
“Thank you,” I said, but my head was absolutely spinning. “Listen, I’ll have to give it some thought and get back to you.”
“Yes, please, take some time to think about it. For now, I’ll forward you some information. Also, if you think you’re interested, there’s a meeting in April in New York City. We’d love to have you come talk with us.”
I took the dates down and we said good-bye. I didn’t realize how long we’d been chatting until we hung up and Elizabeth came down the stairs.
I held out my arms and she gave me a not-quite-awake-yet hug. “Sleep well, Princess?” I asked her.
She nodded. “Can I cook with you tonight?”
“I’ve already started dinner, but you can help me make biscuits.”
That woke her up. Henry would probably sleep for another thirty minutes, so I gave Elizabeth another quick hug, said, “Come on,” and we headed to the kitchen.
I waited until the kids were in bed for the night before bringing anything up with Nathaniel. I found him in the living room watching a college basketball game while on the phone with his cousin Jackson. Technically speaking, they weren’t really talking; they were arguing about a call one of the referees just made. I sat down beside him and waited for them to finish. Nathaniel ended the call when the game went to commercial break.
He smiled. “Tell me.”
I didn’t even ask how he knew I had been waiting to give him some news. After so many years together, it had become second nature for him to read me so well.
“I got offered a job today,” I said. “A writing job.”“You applied for a job?” There wasn’t any judgment in his voice, just surprise.
“No, nothing like that. They found me through the blog.” I summarized the call with Meagan while he listened intently.
“Wow,” he said when I finished. “What an incredible opportunity for you. You are going to meet with them, right?”
“I really want to.” I realized exactly how much when I said it out loud.
“Then do it. Chances like this don’t often fall in our laps.”
“To think something that started as a journal could possibly lead to writing for NNN’s Women’s channel.”
“I expect all the credit,” he teased. “Since I’m the one who made you start the journal in the first place.”
I punched his arm. “Going online was all my idea.”
“I know.” His expression grew serious. “I always said you were a wonderful writer. It’s about time someone else noticed. I’m proud of you, Abby.”
“Thank you.”
He brushed my cheek softly. “I had a phone call today, too. Though not nearly as exciting as yours.”
“Simon?” I guessed.
“Yes. His girlfriend’s name is Lynne. He said they’d be over at nine on Saturday.”
“Tell me about her. I don’t remember her from our last meeting with the group.”
He shook his head. “She wasn’t at it. Simon met her online a few months ago. They only met in person about three weeks ago. She’s really new.”
Without coming out and saying it in so many words, he was letting me know not to expect anything too intense in the playroom Saturday. Knowing Nathaniel the way I did, he wouldn’t want to do anything that could potentially turn someone off to the lifestyle.
“Simon’s really smitten, huh?” I asked. Though I didn’t know him too well, he’d been in the group for a good number of years and played with a variety of women. I couldn’t recall him being in a long-term relationship.