“Thanks, Mom,” Lauren said, ending the call. She’d so wanted to tell her about John Giampalo, but it was too soon. Even though her socks were long gone, she needed time to get used to the idea that she’d actually fallen quickly, madly, and deeply in love. She’d never believed in love at first sight, thought it was a gross exaggeration when people spoke about it. But now she knew better. It had happened to her.

Lauren spent the next hour writing notes and preparing questions for her first interview. It would be a process, and she knew there was no way she’d learn about Giampalo’s entire life story in their first meeting, but first impressions set the tone for her writing style, so she wanted to be as prepared as possible.

After a while, she couldn’t come up with any more questions to ask, but she knew she’d have many more after she met him. For the time being, she wanted to take Angela’s advice and dress the part of the successful author. She wished she’d saved her Chanel suit for today, yet she knew she’d packed wisely, and her black Escada sheath dress would do just fine. She’d wear her low-heeled Stuart Weitzman pumps.

She did her makeup the same way as yesterday, minus the winged eyeliner. Her hand wasn’t that steady this morning. She did the same with her hair, twisting and tucking, using the same diamond barrette as before. She still wore the same diamond earrings and necklaces; they were staples and could be worn with just about anything. Though she felt pretty sure Mr. Giampalo wouldn’t care one way or another.

At 8:40, Lauren grabbed her bag, put her laptop inside, then took the private elevator to the main lobby, where a car would drive her to the Global Goods corporate office in downtown Seattle.

She was greeted by a middle-aged man wearing a Seattle Seahawks cap, denim jeans, and a polo shirt with the company’s G logo on the pocket. “You’re Ms. Montgomery?” he asked, and held out his hand. “I’m Derek, Mr. G’s personal driver. He asked me to take you to headquarters.”

Surprised at his casual attire, she hoped she wasn’t overdressed. “I’m Lauren Montgomery; nice to meet you,” She shook his hand, liking him instantly. His warm brown eyes sparkled, and his wide grin reached his eyes. A genuine soul, she thought.

Lauren expected a limousine, a Rolls Royce, but the tiny electric car, a Chevy of some kind, was not in the same league as the company airplane.

“Thanks,” she said. He held the passenger door open, and she managed to squash herself and her bag inside.

“Mr. G would croak if he knew I was using my own personal car to bring you downtown. The company car is being serviced this morning. You okay riding in this little gal?”