The Thorne at My Side

CHAPTER 34

For The Record, Again Pt 2

MAGGIE

"I can't believe I'm calling you about a political podcast," Liz says into the phone.

"I can't believe you're calling me about a political podcast either." I tell her as I swing my legs under me and settle into the corner of my chair. I switch the call to speakerphone and set it down on the armrest while Liz continues.

"It's that one you went on last year, when you got in a fight with Austin Thorne."

The way she says his name has me picturing her wiggling her eyebrows at me.

"Yeah? For The Record. What about it?"

"Austin was on it again, yesterday."

"He was?" I ask as I grab my phone. I pull up the podcast's website and scroll to find the latest episode.

"So you haven't heard it yet?" Liz asks.

"No, I don't follow it as closely anymore."

"Well, this one might be worth a listen."

"Okay, I'll listen when we're done talking,” I promise. “What photo sessions do you have booked this week?"

"One family session, a newborn, and, oh, what's that? Sure thing, be right there," she calls off to the side of the phone. "Gotta go, call me when you listen to the show! Bye!"

I doubt anyone was really calling her considering she spat that all out in one breath and she works by herself. With an eye roll I press play on the podcast.

My mind pictures Austin sitting in the same studio we were in together. Did he sit in the same seat? Take mine? I didn't see another guest's name so he is on this one alone.

He starts with some updates on AIM and I like hearing what happened from his side. I get the sense there is more to the story than what he’s sharing. I can picture his emotionless business face.

He continues with the news that AIM was used for speech writing. Which I certainly knew all about but no one outside the senator’s, well the president’s, inner circle knew.

My mind drifts to that old team. I think most of them are still working together, at the White House. Part of me is jealous.

Part of me is glad I am not strung out working eighteen hours a day.

I refocus on the show and then all the air leaves my body.

I've found a person who challenges me and makes me think deeper about issues. She pushes me. She's the person I want to talk to about things.

Could he mean me?

I hit the pause button and process what I just heard. Austin coming to my defense. Austin admitting the AIM speeches worked, but they may have worked too well. They didn't ask or require people to think.

Which was the hill I died on.

That and prosperity and .

This whole podcast has been in defense of me . It sounds like he's speaking directly to me. I hit play again after I manage a deep inhale and exhale.

But we come from different places. We have different opinions. We hardly ever agree.

He laughs in a quiet way and I picture his handsome face and the way his smile probably leans to one side.

And even though she frustrates me to no end, I'm so glad she's in my life.

I have to hit pause again because tears are streaming down my cheeks. I use the backs of my hands to mop them up. With a juicy sniffle I hit play again.

Who is this lucky lady?

Again, I'm not at liberty to say.

Well you know we always talk dating on For The Record, so does this mean, you, Austin Thorne, are off the market?

I hope so.

I hit pause again and the tears turn into wails.

I want Austin Thorne. He’s the man I can spend my life with. We will disagree about almost everything but it’ll be exciting, fun, challenging. It’ll be a partnership.

My stomach falls out when I hear my SMS Connect phone ping. With shaking hands I pick it up and read the message.

DCFox: I understand if the answer is no, but, could we set up another time to meet?

With tears still in my eyes and my mind reeling, I drop the phone like it burned me. I don't have to respond. I don't have to agree to a meeting. Part of me wants to because I'm dying to know who he is. Part of me thinks I should just let it go and see if Austin is actually interested in me or if he was talking about someone else.

I listen to the rest of the podcast but all he talks about is what he wants to do next.

When the podcast finishes I text Liz.

MAGGIE: Whoever the lucky girl is, she's got a good thing going.

LIZ: You don't think it's you?

MAGGIE: We're just friends. He says it like every other sentence when we hang out.

My phone vibrates but it isn't a message from Liz. I go back to my inbox and see it's from Austin.

My palms start to sweat as I open the message.

AUSTIN: Hey Friend! Wanna meet me for a run tomorrow morning? I'd offer our old morning routine but that would be a different kind of friendship, friends with benefits, and we're not that.

AUSTIN : Right?

I laugh despite myself and reply.

MAGGIE: Right. And sure, meet at 7?

AUSTIN: I'll be there.

I'm about to move back over to my messages with Liz when my SMS Connect phone pings again .

DCFox: Tell you what, I'll be waiting for you next to Stumpy the Cherry Tree at the basin at 6:00pm tomorrow evening. The sun should just be setting and it'll be beautiful. Meet me if you want to, or don't, but I'll stay until 7:00.