My pocket vibrates with a knowing buzz, and I retrieve my phone. “You had me at hello, Callum Whitaker,” I say, peering at the screen. He texted. I whip around to the old woman sitting outside her plant shop. “He texted me!”
Her eyes dart up to mine, her gray brows lifting in surprise.
I wiggle my phone in my hand, but she doesn’t say anything.
I have a confession.
Oh, man, what a great first text. 11:48 a.m. A tremor runs down my spine. Rosalie might have reason to worry. Callum gives me the feels. I can’t explain it. I’m excited. My pulse is racing with anticipation, and I’m not even in the middle of a remake.
I quickly add Callum’s number to my phone, when another text pops up.
Callum Hot Lips Whitaker: I’ve been distracted… and struggling on the field.
Me: Still waiting for that confession…
Callum Hot Lips Whitaker: The night that we met. That first evening.
Me: The night you decided to throw caution to the wind and kiss the most beautiful girl in the room?
Callum Hot Lips Whitaker: Yeah. That night.
Callum Hot Lips Whitaker: Well, the very next day, I played the best I have in months. And now my team believes that you might be lucky for us.
Callum Hot Lips Whitaker: For me.
Lucky? Me? Who would have thought?
Rosalie would tell me to play it cool.
Cooool.
Me: Well. Well. Well. Does this have anything to do with your invitation to be friends?
Callum Hot Lips Whitaker: No. Honestly, Fran. You make me laugh. And Zev is right. I need something outside of work. I thought a new friend might be nice. A friend who isn’t my teammate.
Me: It is nice. Friends are very nice.
So are kissing friends… but we’ll talk about that later.
Callum Hot Lips Whitaker: I have something to ask you too. I want to be upfront and transparent about it.
Me: Now you’re asking me things. I love it.
Callum Hot Lips Whitaker: We have a game tomorrow night. The guys might show a little more faith in me if my “lucky charm” is there. And I wouldn’t mind having a friend in the crowd.
Me: Are you asking me out right after we decided to merely be friends?
I cross my fingers on both hands.
Callum Hot Lips Whitaker: I’m asking if you want to come to a game. I have two tickets, so you won’t have to sit alone. You could bring Rosalie. Or another friend. Or a date. But it’s just an invitation. For a friend. I’m not offended if you don’t want to come.
The man uses the F-word a lot. Friend, friend, friend. That’s okay. I like Callum. If he wants a friend, I’ll give him a friend.
Me: I’ll come. Where do I pick up the tickets?
Rosalie would say my text is too eager. But I’m excited. A professional soccer game? Watching Callum Hot Lips Whitaker? Yes. Please.
I’ll have to force Rosalie into going with me. I’m not surehow she feels about soccer. Plus, she’s a little concerned aboutmy feelingsfor Callum.
