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  Simon & Schuster

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2011 by Cavanaugh Lee

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Simon & Schuster Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

  First Simon & Schuster hardcover edition February 2011

  SIMON & SCHUSTER and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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  Designed by Kyoko Watanabe

  Manufactured in the United States of America

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Lee, Cavanaugh.

  Save as draft : a novel / Cavanaugh Lee.

  p. cm.

  1. Triangles (Interpersonal relations)—Fiction. 2. Man-woman relationships—Fiction. 3. Mate selection—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3612.E2234S38 2011

  813'.6—dc22 2010028208

  ISBN 978-1-4391-9069-2

  ISBN 978-1-4391-9072-2 (ebook)

  To Mums, Dad, and Nana

  Of course, to “Marty” and “Peter” as well …

  Save as Draft

  List of E-mail Abbreviations

  10-4

  message understood

  a.k.a.

  also known as

  BB

  BlackBerry (has also been called “Crackberry”)

  BFF

  Best Friends Forever!

  blah blah blah

  used as an expression for words or feelings where the specifics are not considered important to the speaker or writer for emotions

  bleah

  used to express disinterest or overall tiredness with the subject

  BRB

  be right back

  a**

  ass; swear word

  btw

  by the way

  Duh

  used in response to something said that is too obvious to need to be mentioned

  FYI

  For Your Information

  Grrr

  an onomatopoeia for growling

  Hmm

  used to signify hesitation, a question, or thoughtful consideration of another person’s statement

  huh?

  used to ask a question; often denotes confusion

  LMAO

  Laugh My Ass Off

  LOL

  Laugh Out Loud

  Luv

  a more informal way of saying “love”; often used in place of “love” when using “love” is premature and “luv” is a safer bet

  MIA

  Missing in Action; denotes several days or more between an email exchange

  OMG

  Oh My God

  OMFG

  Oh My F—g God

  Oops

  an onomatopoeia for “making a mistake”

  Rom-Com

  Romantic-Comedy

  Sorta

  short-hand way of saying “sort of”

  TTYL

  Talk to you later; often used as a mere formality when there is no intention to “Talk to you later”

  Ugh

  used to express horror, disgust, or repugnance

  VM

  Voice Mail

  WTF?

  What the F—k?

  ;-)

  wink; denotes “I’m trying to be funny in a joking kind of way”; may also denote flirting

  happy face; denotes happiness

  sad face; denotes sadness or unrest

  JANUARY 2008: DATELESS … BUT NOT DESPERATE

  Sent:

  Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 7:31 PM

  From:

  Izabell

  To:

  Elizabeth

  Subject:

  Tough Times All Around

  E—

  Did you know that the single guy to single girl ratio in this city is 1 to 8???!!!! Is this really true? This can’t be true. Ugh, maybe that explains my fourth consecutive month of NOT dating here in the ATL, or pseudo-dating (translation: hanging out with best guy friend who has no interest in me sexually or otherwise).

  I tell ya, it’s tough times all around …

  —Izzy

  Sent:

  Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 7:35 PM

  From:

  Elizabeth

  To:

  Izabell

  Subject:

  Re: Tough Times All Around

  Online dating. Try it.

  And, FYI: your “best guy friend” has been hot for your bod for two years now—don’t fish for compliments.

  Sent:

  Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 7:38 PM

  From:

  Izabell

  To:

  Elizabeth

  Subject:

  Re: Tough Times All Around

  Online dating will NOT be happening. So unromantic. Not my style. And, no, on the contrary, my “best guy friend” really is just that—my “best guy friend.”

  —“Idealistically Opposed to Online Dating Izzy”

  Sent:

  Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 8:05 PM

  From:

  Elizabeth

  To:

  Izabell

  Subject:

  Re: Tough Times All Around

  Suit yourself. My friend, Jen, met a guy on eHarmony or Match or whatever the hell and now they’re getting married this summer.

  Sent:

  Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 8:10 PM

  From:

  Izabell

  To:

  Elizabeth

  Subject:

  Re: Tough Times All Around

  Yeah, right, my luck, it’ll be e(DIS)Harmony or NON-Match. I would never, ever subject myself to being rejected ON-line. It’s bad enough being rejected IN-person. My computer is the only safe haven I have left.

  Sent:

  Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 8:12 PM

  From:

  Elizabeth

  To:

  Izabell

  Subject:

  Re: Tough Times All Around

  Methinks the lady doth protest too much …

  Draft:

  Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 8:13 PM

  From:

  Izabell

  To:

  Elizabeth

  Subject:

  Re: Tough Times All Around

  This e-mail was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.

  Fine. I’ll consider it. But only to prove you wrong!

  Sent:

  Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at 11:38 PM

  From:

  Izabell

  To:

  Elizabeth

  Subject:

  Re: Tough Times All Around

  Sorry, not gonna happen. I may be dateless, but NOT desperate.

  Sent:

  Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 9:09 AM

  From:

  eHarmony

  To:

  Izabell

  Subject:

  eHarmony: ♥ At a Discount–Get 2 Months FREE!

  Get a 3-month subscription for the price of 1! Yes, that means “3 for 1”! Let us make it easier for you to find ♥ by giving you an ex
tra TWO MONTHS FREE.

  Subscribe now to find ♥ ♥ ♥!

  (Because you asked to be notified of eHarmony Special Offers, we will send you e-mails such as this one on a periodic basis.)

  (To unsubscribe from this type of e-mail, please click here within 15 days of receipt, or contact customer service.)

  (Please note this offer expires at the end of the month.)

  FEBRUARY - MARCH 2008: IZ (IZABELL) & MARTY (MARTIN)

  Sent:

  Friday, February 8, 2008 at 11:38 PM

  From:

  eHarmony

  To:

  Martin

  Subject:

  About Your Match #137

  Dear Martin,

  The “About Me” information below will help you learn more about Your Match #137/ Izabell.

  Sincerely,

  The eHarmony Team

  Izabell cares most deeply about:

  • My family, my friends, and my work (in that order). Plus, I’m madly in love with my border collie, Thea. She’s seriously the love of my life (so far at least, LOL). Every morning I drive her to doggy day care which is twenty minutes away from my apartment, return to my apartment which is three blocks from work, and walk to the office—that should tell you how much I adore my dog. ;-)

  Izabell’s friends and family describe her as:

  • Passionate

  • Outgoing

  • Articulate

  • Funny

  The first thing you’ll probably notice about Izabell when you meet her:

  • Witty sense of humor (self-deprecating at times).

  The one thing Izabell wishes MORE people would notice about her:

  • That I’m not quite as frivolous as I may appear. ;-) La-di-da …

  Izabell is most grateful for:

  • My incredible parents who are the coolest people in this lifetime

  • My amazing friends

  • My brain

  The qualities Izabell is looking for in a significant other are:

  • Funny. Smart. Passionate. Solid, solid, solid family background.

  The things Izabell needs to survive are:

  • E-mail

  • My dog

  • Going to the movies on the weekends

  • Communication

  • Phone conversations with the parents

  The person who has changed Izabell’s life is:

  • My female friends—who have taught me how to be a strong girl.

  What Izabell is reading now:

  • Mostly magazines—entertainment and political. I’m almost done with Atlas Shrugged, though—all 1,200 pages of it, no less. So far, it’s the most brilliant book I’ve ever read (even though I disagree with some of it).

  When Izabell grows up she wants to be:

  • Hmm, do I have to grow up? Just kidding. I want to still be as happy as I am right now.

  Izabell usually spends her spare time:

  • Movies, movies, movies. Concocting crazy things to do for fun. And wanting to get out and see Atlanta (but not actually seeing it yet—long story, will tell you about it someday). Oh, and I write.

  Izabell’s favorite place to be is:

  • Out and about! (But also at home in my overstuffed chair with a good book and Thea.)

  Izabell’s best-kept secret is:

  • I’m a total and utter nerd.

  Some more information Izabell wanted you to know is:

  • I’m new to Atlanta. Originally from San Francisco (the most beautiful city in the world with the glorious red bridge), born and raised. Just moved here after finishing law school four months ago. Prior to law school, I was a struggling actress in Hollywood (yep, ’tis true).

  Sent:

  Friday, February 8, 2008 at 11:47 PM

  From:

  eHarmony

  To:

  Izabell

  Subject:

  About Your Match #6

  Dear Izabell,

  The “About Me” information below will help you learn more about Your Match #6/ Martin.

  Sincerely,

  The eHarmony Team

  Martin cares most deeply about:

  • The Beatles B-sides (“I Should Have Known Better”—what a song!)

  • Chili-cheese hash browns at The Vortex (it’s a restaurant in Atlanta— ever been?)

  • Starbucks Venti Iced Caramel Macchiato

  • ’98 Cakebread Cabernet

  • Mel Brooks Movies

  • The first or last five minutes on an eight hour road trip home

  Martin’s friends and family describe him as:

  • Generous

  • Hard working

  • Outgoing

  • Optimistic

  The first thing you’ll probably notice about Martin when you meet him:

  • How dashing and handsome I am … Kidding. Smiling eyes and a positive demeanor.

  The one thing Martin wishes MORE people would notice about him:

  • That I’m not just a pretty face. Kidding, again.

  Martin is most grateful for:

  • Belly Laughs

  • MapQuest

  • The 1980s

  The qualities Martin is looking for in a significant other are:

  • Word processing skills

  The things Martin needs to survive are:

  • E-mail

  • My Tempur-Pedic Mattress

  • Crème Brulee

  • Martin guitars

  • Spicy Tuna Roll from Ru-Sans

  The person who has changed Martin’s life is:

  • Haven’t met her yet. Is it you?

  What Martin is reading now:

  • The Cube: Keep the Secret by Annie Gottlieb, a very interesting mental exercise but I can’t tell you, because I have to keep the secret …

  When Martin grows up he wants to be:

  • But I’m a Toys “R” Us kid …

  Martin usually spends his spare time:

  • In a spare leisure suit

  Martin’s favorite place to be is:

  • At the dinner table with friends enjoying a great meal

  Martin’s best-kept secret is:

  • I once had a hole-in-one … on a par four … with a 5-wood.

  • I’ve been to Spain for the running of the bulls (not really, but don’t you want to go out with me now?).

  • I was in a band called Bad at Bingo (not really, but don’t you want to go out with me now?).

  Some more information Martin wanted you to know is:

  • I work for a large real estate investment firm, doing acquisitions on the West Coast (but I’m based in Atlanta), and am involved with the purchasing of large Class A Commercial Property. I usually travel one week/mo touring properties in cities like San Francisco, Las Vegas, Denver, and Portland. But, I promise that I do have time for a relationship! (Oh, no, did I say the word “relationship”???!!!!)

  Sent:

  Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 8:01 am

  From:

  eHarmony

  To:

  Martin

  Subject:

  Answers to Questions 1–5 from Your Match #137

  Dear Martin,

  Below are the Answers to your Questions 1–5 from Your Match #137/ Izabell.

  Sincerely,

  The eHarmony Team

  1. When going somewhere:

  a. I am usually the first to arrive

  b. I am usually on time

  c. I am usually late

  d. I am usually a no-show

  e. (fill-in response) I am always early (I know, I know—what a dork, you’re thinking, but I hate being late!)

  2. On Saturday night, would you rather go to:

  a. A play or musical

  b. The mall

  c. A movie or rock concert

  d. A basketball game

  e. (fill-in response) Tie between A and C. My background is in theater and film (even though I’m presently a lawyer) so my ide
al date always involves the arts in some way; NO sports please.

  3. If you could take a dream get-away, where would you most likely choose to spend a week?

  a. Paris

  b. Beachfront resort in the Caribbean

  c. Hiking in the woods

  d. A shanty by the sea

  e. (fill-in response) I mean, duh, it’s Paris, the City of Light!

  4. Your idea of a romantic time would be:

  a. A long walk on the beach

  b. Partying at a dance club

  c. Making dinner together while sipping a good bottle of wine

  d. A candlelit dinner at a favorite restaurant

  e. (fill-in response) All of the above—variety is what makes a relationship romantic.

  5. How often do you exercise:

  a. I don’t

  b. Once a week

  c. Every other day

  d. Seven days a week

  e. (fill-in response) Four times a week (OK, sorta)

  Sent:

  Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 9:45 am

  From:

  eHarmony

  To:

  Izabell

  Subject:

  Answers to Questions 1–5 from Your Match #6

  Dear Izabell,

  Below are the Answers to your Questions 1–5 from Your Match #6/Martin.

  Sincerely,

  The eHarmony Team

  1. If you were taken by your date to a party where you knew no one, how would you respond?

  a. Stay close to my date and rely on him/her to introduce me to people