“This looks promising,” Maggie says when she’s written her last point. “And one more thing...” She lifts the pen once more, putting a 1 next to the first column, a 2 next to the second column and then a 3 next to something she scribbles at the bottom of the page. She hands me the paper a moment later and I skip to the end.

3. Ciao! Finish that book and off to Italy.

“You’re welcome,” she says.

My cell phone timer then starts to ring, reminding me it’s time to get back to Duke.

“We better go,” I say, folding up the paper and sliding it into my bag.

“Off we march into battle.” Maggie finishes the last of her coffee and gets up to toss the cup into the trash beside the door. I’m sliding my chair back and standing up as well when the woman sitting beside us gives me a little wave, trying to get my attention.

“I’m sorry,” she says, “but I couldn’t help overhearing pieces of your conversation. Did your friend say that you’re Kara Sullivan?”

I’m caught off guard but quickly respond with a small smile. “Yeah, that’s me.”

The woman seems flustered by my response but smiles back. “Oh, my gosh! I have to tell you, I’ve read all of your books and they really are just wonderful.”

I’m flattered by this lovely lady with exceptional taste in literature. “Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed them. It was nice meeting you.”

“Oh, you too!” she says. I’m poised to leave when she leans forward again in her chair. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask you... Do you—do you just lead such a romantic life?”

I look down at my hopeful reader as Maggie walks out the door. I say the first thing that comes to my mind.

“I’m working on it.”

Maggie and I are standing in the doorway outside her bathroom, looking down lovingly at the still-passed-out Duke. His tongue is dangling out of his mouth and his feet shimmy a little with each passing snore.

“Why does he sleep in the bathroom?” Maggie asks.

“Don’t know. Ryan says he has since he got him.”

“Sounds like you have a couple of winners on your hands.”

“Ah yes,” I agree, leaning down to attach Duke’s leash to his collar and petting him awake. “They’re two princes, all right.”

He wakes up with a big stretch and I gently lead him across the room.

“So just to recap,” Maggie says, sneaking in front of me to hold open her apartment door, “don’t be you tonight. Tonight, you are one of your sexy, brave characters who fears nothing and gets exactly what she wants.”

“I am fully prepared to consider that suggestion.”