Page 54 of Into the Darkness

Hi Lex,

She’s alive and well. In case you have the wrong number it’s 1-212-555-6060. She might be busy tonight though.

Eric?

I never had her number. She had refused to give it to me and I hated smiley faces or emojis whatever the hell they were. It was six o’clock now. I was going crazy playing this waiting game. I needed to tell her that last night with Samantha was not what it looked like, so I decided to text her.

Good evening, Charlotte,

I want a chance to explain to you what happened last night. Please, it’s not what you think. Just let me explain.

Lex

I waited, my anxiety growing as the clock ticked by. What the fuck was she doing that she couldn’t respond straight away? My mind wandered. Don’t go there. I was ready to punch the wall by the time my phone buzzed.

Explain

She was brief and I didn’t blame her. She needed to know the truth.

I haven’t seen Samantha in 6 years, not since I left her. Adriana told me she is going through a nasty divorce and her ex is fighting for custody. She was drunk last night and wanted entry into the club but I refused and so she made a scene.

I sent the text, hoping she would hear me out.

How do I know you aren’t lying, Lex?

I wanted her to trust me. I knew where she was and I needed to play cool. The last thing I wanted was her to be upset with me and run to him.

Because I wouldn’t do that to you. I’m sorry she was there, I had no idea.

Not knowing what else to say, I hoped she would respond.

Check in the mirror. Your nose may be growing bigger.

I laughed at her text knowing all too well it wasn’t my nose she should be worried about. She loved that fucking movie Pinnochio. I remembered how she made me watch it the first time. I only did it because it meant I could spend time with her. The blow job afterwards was just an added bonus.

My nose looks fine to me, can’t say that about other parts though.

She took a while to respond and I was hoping I hadn’t pushed her. I heard the cell buzz.

I didn’t know you and the mirror had a thing for each other. Get a room!

This was the Charlotte I remember, feisty and witty, with a comeback for everything.

I tried but turns out it prefers it in a dark kitchen, against the cold fridge.

I didn’t know what she remembered of last night since she drank so much. I felt myself harden again. I definitely had to go for round two shortly. Twenty minutes passed before my cell buzzed again.

Ha! Funny! I could have sworn it was an elevator.

Well, fuck me, she remembered. I had told her once about a reoccurring fantasy that she was wearing fuck-me boots, a short pleated skirt and nothing underneath as we rode an elevator. Everyone would exit and I would push the stop button, fucking her into oblivion. There were no high-rise buildings in Carmel so unfortunately it could not be fulfilled. I responded to her, praying that in the city that never sleeps, with thousands of elevators all around us, maybe my fantasy would come true.

It still is, baby.

…

The next morning, I sent her a text hoping she would meet up with me for coffee. My flight back to London wasn’t until five.

Are you free today for a coffee? I promise I’ll be on my best behavior.