My breathing halts. “You’ve knocked my world off its axis too,” I whisper. I cup my hand to the phone, so nobody else waiting in the clerk’s office will overhear me. “I feel addicted to you, Reed. So horny for you, I think I might be losing my mind.”
He lets out a slow exhale. “Amalia’s leaving at five today. Be at my house at five-oh-one.”
“I’ll be there. I can’t wait to be alone with you again. Now that I’m hearing your voice again, I’m physically craving you.”
His breathing has become audible. “I can’t wait to make you scream again. I can’t stop thinking about the way it felt to fuck you in my swing.”
“Georgina?” a male voice says, and I abruptly swivel my head toward the counter, bug-eyed, like a thief caught with two bags of money. Charles, the clerk, is approaching the counter.
“I’ve got to go,” I blurt to Reed. “The... barista just called my name for my coffee order. I’ll see you at five-oh-one.”
“Don’t be late.”
“I won’t.”
My heart racing, I hang up, feeling like an asshole, a liar, a scumbag for lying to Reed, and stride to the counter. “Wow, that was fast. Thank you.”
Charles puts a large cardboard box onto the counter between us. Its side is imprinted with the wordsCourthouse Copy Service. “This iseverything,” he says. “There weren’t a lot of documents in each file. Just the plaintiff’s complaint, the defendant’s answer, and a notice of settlement.”
“Perfect.” I pay for the copies and reach for the box, but Charles doesn’t let go of it. “Why don’t I carry this to your car for you? It’s kind of heavy.”
“I’m strong. I can handle it. Plus, I don’t have a car. But, thanks.”
“Well, how about we grab a coffee, then? I’m due for my break.”
Shit. Seriously? I don’t have time for this. “Thanks for the kind offer. But I’ve actually got a boyfriend, so...” I physically yank the box from Charles’ grasp. “Thank you so much for expediting this for me. You’re a prince. Bye now. Have a great day.” And off I go, as fast as my legs will carry me, while lugging a pretty heavy cardboard box.
When I get outside, I put the box down and pull out my phone. “Siri, where is the nearest coffee place?”
“I think I’ve found what you’re looking for,” Siri replies, showing me several nearby choices. I pick one, rest the box of legal documents onto my hip, and head off, excited to find a quiet spot where I can sip an iced coffee and devour as much of the contents of this box as possible before heading to Reed’s house... where, God willing, he’ll take me to heaven again, the same way he did in his swing this morning... only, this time, perhaps while tied to the four posters of his bed.
41
REED
Me: Where the hell are you, butterfly? It’s 5:18 and my net is rock hard and ready to capture you (so I can thereafter tack your wings to paper and enclose you in an airtight frame).
Georgina: So sorry! I lost track of time reading something at a coffee place downtown, and then got stuck in traffic. My navigation app estimates arrival time of 5:49. Don’t you dare touch your butterfly net before then. Save yourself for me.
Me: I’ll stay locked and loaded for you, baby. Gate code 874593. I’ll be in my bedroom.
Georgina: Can’t wait. PS I’m starving. Is there food?
Me: Amalia’s soup.
Georgina: Oh yeah! So excited. Don’t eat without me! XO
Me: Of course not. See you soon. XO
Smiling like a goof, I toss my phone onto my mattress next to me. For the love of fuck, I just texted her “XO.” I’ve only ever texted that sardonically to Josh. What isthis girl doing to me?
My phone on the bed next to me rings, drawing me from my thoughts, and when I glance at the screen, I see it’s Isabel calling me. Fuck. She’s been calling me all day, without ever leaving a voicemail. Sighing, I pick up my phone.
“Hi, Isabel.”
“Finally!” she shouts. “I’ve been trying to call you all day. Why haven’t you picked up?”
“I’ve been in meetings. Why didn’t you send a text or leave a voicemail?”
