And Then (Part 1)

Prologue

I step out of the shower and wipe down the mirror as I smile at myself. I can't believe that I am going to get to meet the Harrison Fine! I have been waiting so long for this day to get here; ever since I found the listing for his book signing. I am so excited, but I really need to calm myself down. I can not embarrass myself in front of him, I may never have an opportunity to meet him again. What can I say to him that won't make me sound like some kind of crazy fan? I have no idea. Maybe if I go online and look him up again I will come up with something. I finish drying my hair and get dressed in a cute little summer dress that I bought just for this signing. I look myself over in the mirror and I think that I look alright, I mean, I'm sure he has seen all kinds of gorgeous women and he probably won't even pay me any attention. I am too simple for someone as handsome as him, but just maybe he'll see me. Ok, enough, let's see what we can find on the internet.

Just as I am about to boot up my laptop I hear a knock at the door. I can't imagine who that could be. I go over to the door and just as I am about to ask who it is I hear Knox's voice. "Annie? Annie are you home?" Crap, I do not have time for this right now. I take a deep breath and slowly open the door. "Hey Knox, what's up?" He looks me up and down and then shrugs. "I was in the area, and I just wanted to see you. Can I come in?" I begrudgingly step aside and let him in. He walks past me and brushes his fingers lightly over my arm and it makes me cringe. I know he is my boyfriend, but I think that maybe we need to break up already. We have gone back and forth so many times, breaking up and getting back together, and I don't really want to put up with his nonsense anymore. Clearly my body is not having a good reaction to him either.

"So, it seems your book is doing really well. I'm not really sure what all the fuss is about though. Don't get me wrong, your books are alright, but people are getting a bit out of hand about it. Don't you think?" What do I say to that load of crap? "Um, well Knox, it is my book, so I think it's pretty damn good. I would not have had it published if I didn't think so." Knox chuckles. "Come on Annie, really?" Fuck, this asshole is really something else! "Yeah Knox, I think it's really good and apparently other people think so too. What's really your problem about it? Is it making you question yourself or something? You shouldn't, our books are so different, and I just don't understand what you're getting at. Why can't I be a successful author too? You don't have anything to worry about if that's what's bothering you."

"What are you trying to say Annie? I don't have any worries about my writing at all. You are no threat to me; we don't even write the same kind of books." This guy is something else. Did I not just say that our books are different? He really needs to get over himself. And if I'm being honest, I don't even like his books at all. Not that I would tell him that, that would really set him off. Instead, I say, "How about we just drop it ok?" Knox raises his hands up mockingly like he needs to keep me at bay. "Hey, I'm not the one getting all defensive!"

I just stare at him with my eyes wide open and shake my head at him. "What? Yes, you are. And you are being a total prick as well. I have always known that you don't think highly of my work, but now, with the success of my latest book, I would have thought that you would see it for yourself and acknowledge it. But clearly I was wrong to think anything positive as far as you're concerned." I turn and start to walk away from him so I can go to my desk to get my things together so I can leave already, but Knox just follows me. "Don't walk away from me when I'm talking to you Annie. And did you just call me a prick? What the hell? I have never said that I don't like your work either."

"Oh my God! You always talk crap about my writing! You basically just did a few minutes ago. Do you not listen to yourself when you speak? Listen to me, I need to get going. We can talk some more when I get back, or some other time. Ok?"