The phone rang. Both of them were forced into silence. "It's about time." Derick said as he got up to get it.
"Derick?" The husky-voiced man asked on the other end of the line.
"Yeah."
"Hello, you've received my message, I presume?"
"Sure did." He looked at Maria, who was listening intently.
"I want to make a few minor fact changes, a few plot changes, and the like. Perhaps I can meet you for dinner to discuss your book."
"Yeah, that would be great. When?"
"Tomorrow night. Eight o'clock."
"Fine." Derick jotted down the time on a post-it beside the phone. "Where?"
"Tippy's."
"Okay. I know where that is. See you then."
"Goodnight."
"Bye." Derick replied as he clicked the phone off and returned it to its cradle. "He wants to meet for dinner tomorrow to discuss the manuscript." He filled Maria in.
"And you're going to do it?"
Derick nodded. "Sure, why not? This could be my big shot."
"He's weird. You don't even know his name or who he works for. Give me his number."
"I don't have his number."
"Sure you do. It has to be on the caller ID."
As if a light went on in his head, Derick picked up the phone and wrote down the number at the top. He also wrote the name listed. Devon, Craig.
"Craig Devon? Odd. I'll look it up." She stared at the post-it.
"Alright." Derick reclaimed his seat.
They both let the subject of the manuscript drop as they continued to play cards and eat the pie.
A while later, when Maria had won the third hand of cards, she looked at him again with that needful look. Derick didn't look at her, but spoke instead. "So, Maria, are you sure you want to date me?" He asked as he scrapped the remainder of the pie out of the tin with his fork.
"Positive. We would be perfect together." Maria was aware that she sounded desperate, but she didn't care, not really.
Derick smiled and sort of chuckled. "Wow, do you realize what you just sounded like?"
"Yeah, I know. Please don't bring it up."
"Okay. Just so you're aware." He knew how to make Maria smile, even when she felt self-conscience.
"Okay. Look, we'll try it out, but I'm not promising anything. Okay?" Derick said.