My phone buzzed in my hand, cutting through my dramatic retelling. I glanced up at the top of my screen,expecting an email or some random notification, but the unknown number on the screen stopped me mid-stride.
Unknown Number
Enjoyed running into you today. Can’t wait for that list you promised.
I blinked at it, the corner of my mouth tugging upward before I could stop it. Then I turned my attention back to the recording, my eyes wide for Cali’s future viewing pleasure.
“Cali. He just texted me.” My voice dropped into an incredulous whisper. “He texted me.Do you understand what kind of spiral I’m about to go into over this?”
Things like this didn’t happen to me. I was a workaholic who didn’t have a social life. I was not the getting-texts-from-ridiculously-good-looking-men kind of person.
And yet … with that message, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe—just maybe (fingers crossed)—that was starting to change.
I ended the recording as the office building came into view and slipped the phone back into my bag. But I couldn’t resist pulling it out again before I even hit the revolving doors.
Livvi
I’ll work on the list tonight. Hope you’re ready for a full-on crash course in classics and hidden gems.
His reply came fast.
Talon
I’m ready. Bring it on.
That stupid, fluttery warmth swirled around me again. It carried me through the rest of the afternoon, even as I sat at my desk pretending to care about numbers when really all I wanted to do was Google “best romantasy starter books for intimidatingly handsome swimmers.”
By the time I got home that night, I’d already pulled a stack of my favorites from my shelf and spread them across my bed. Some I’d read several times, pages dog-eared and worn soft. Others were newer, books I wanted to keep in mint condition.
I lined them up and snapped a picture, sending it with a message.
Livvi
This is the short list. Try not to be intimidated.
A bubble appeared, then disappeared, then appeared again—like he was typing, deleting, and starting over. Finally, his response came through.
Talon
You’re really doing this, huh? Giving me homework.
I smirked, sinking deeper into my pillows.
Livvi
Call it … required reading for being friends with me.
Another pause before his response came through.
Talon
Then I’ll read every single one.
I stared at his words longer than I meant to. There was something in the simplicity of it that made my throat go tight.
A few minutes later, my phone buzzed again.
Talon