Just Her Type by Reon Laudat

all about him. She glanced in his direction more than a few
times, admiring his hunky back view. Nice wide shoulders, strong diamond
calves, and the butt of a god. The man was truly a physical wonder to behold.
Brody, carrying a small notebook to scribble notes, had pulled ahead to quiz
their guides, leaving Zoe with Dominic, who’d been bumping his gums since the
hike began. But whatever he was saying clearly enchanted Zoe.
    “My mother and I have read great things about him
and his agency. I knew he was going to attend this conference, but I didn’t
expect to see him on a tourist outing,” Corinne said as if she’d spotted a
unicorn.
    “Did you send Four
Simple Wishes to him, too?”   Kendra asked airily, though she’d felt somewhat uneasy about Corinne’s
starstruck reaction to Dominic.
    “No, I’m giving you an exclusive,” Corinne said
with a big smile. “I like you.”
    “I like you, too. But that’s not required at this
stage, you know,” Kendra said, though she was pleased Corinne was committed to
working with Porter Literary Agency. “Why my agency?”
    “I read Dunston’s
Pass and The Orchid Keeper’s Secret.”
    “Books I acquired and edited when I was at
Winn-Aster.”
    “Yes, brilliant,” she rhapsodized. “The lyricism,
structures, and elegance. These complex tapestries were pure perfection, in my
humble opinion. After taking in the last pages, I rushed to read the
acknowledgments and saw your name in both. Right then, I knew when I was ready,
I wanted to submit to you. Those are two of my all-time favorite modern novels.
When I started researching agents, I discovered you’d left Winn-Aster to open
your own agency. I had to track you down.”
    “I’m flattered.” After all these years, Kendra
still blushed when hearing such praise.
    “I’m so happy we had this time to talk and get
better acquainted,” Corinne said. I’m even more certain I want to work with
you, that is, if you decide to take me on.”
    “We’ll see. I’m hopeful. I’ll contact you as soon
as I complete my evaluation.”
    “Not to rush you or anything, but do you think
you, um, could let me know what you think. Share your first impression, I mean,
before we leave Maui?”
    “Yes.”
    “Mother criticizes me for not speaking up more,
but it’s difficult when she’s around. She’s like one of those automatic flush
toilets, always cutting me off before I’ve finished my business. ButI love her. And her heart is in the
right place, though she can be overbearing at times.”
    I’ll say! But Kendra only offered an empathetic smile.
      When
Zoe lost her footing on a buried piece of rock, she tumbled into Dominic’s
arms.   Oldest trick in the book, but
still a decent move, Kendra thought. And she’d executed it flawlessly, holding
on to Dominic much longer than necessary. Kendra silently cheered Zoe on,
though her heart squeezed just a bit. But she had no right to be… jealous ?   Hadn’t Dominic invited Kendrato spend time with him? She’d declined
several times. You can’t have it both ways,
girl.
    Kendra had willed Dominic to turn his attention to
pretty, vivacious Zoe who was clearly in his thrall. He hadn’t looked in
Kendra’s direction since the hike began. Mission accomplished.
    After a two-mile trek along fern-covered cliffs
and slopes, the group arrived at the first zip station, where Corinne passed
the weigh-in.
      Corinne and Kendra high-fived.   The happiness blooming on Corinne’s face
almost made Kendra forget her own terror. The guides provided step-by-step
instructions about the way zipping works, breaking down the anatomy of the
seatbelt-like harness attached to a clip-on pulley fastened to a cable.
    Group members stepped up to form a line to the
first launching pad. Everyone—including a boy who looked no more than
twelve and a much older woman with poufy blue-rinsed hair—appeared eager
to begin. After zip operators fitted helmets, distributed safety gloves, and
secured