Matteo
Probably would have had a hat trick if you watched the game.
I chuckle to myself, shaking my head. I don’t get involved with athletes, and watching a game for the sole purpose of watching one player feels pretty involved.
Jade
That wasn’t part of the agreement, remember?
Matteo
I think I need an addendum.
What are you doing awake? It’s late.
I take a picture of the mess on the counter, and send it to him.
Jade
Sometimes I work better at night when the rest of the world is quiet.
Matteo
I get that.
Do you have a title yet?
Jade
Painted Inferno.
Matteo
I like that. When can I read it?
Jade
After I convince myself it’s not complete trash.
He doesn’t respond at first and I set my phone back down, planting my hands on the counter as I stare down at the mess I still need to organize. My phone vibrates again after a moment, except this time it’s not the normal short pattern from a text message.
My eyes widen as I glance at the screen. He’s calling me. We only spoke on the phone one time when I was rambling to him about this book last Sunday. Other than that, all communication has been through text.
My palms are instantly clammy. I swallow roughly, feeling the vibrations of the second ring. I could let it go to voicemail. I suck in a breath, holding it for a second before answering the call on an exhale.
“Hello?”
“I hope it’s okay I called,” he says in a rush. My breathing quickens at the sound of his voice, low and gravely.
“No, it’s okay. I just—I wasn’t expecting it.”
He’s silent for a moment and I quickly shuffle some of my things around on the counter. My eyes are beginning to feel like they’re permanently crossed. This mess will be here for me to sift through in the morning.
“You’re not busy, are you?”
“No.” My footsteps are light as I exit the kitchen, heading down the hall to my bedroom. “What are you doing?”
“I just got out of the shower, getting ready for bed. We have an early flight in the morning.”
