Page 25 of David

She rarely calls me Elizabeth. When she does, it’s usually because I’m in trouble.

“What?”

“You tell me.”

“I told you. I was in the shop when he walked in. And we talked, but our conversation had nothing to do with me. The barista told me who he was after he left. I know things about him. I read Rain’s book so many times.”

A smile curves her lips.

“You have a crush on him.”

“No, I don’t have a crush on him. He’s not my type.”

She rolls her eyes.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Don’t ‘mm-hmm’ me. He’s not. I was looking for some inspiration for my book. That’s all. I thought you knew him.”

“Him? No. I don’t know him. All I know is what other women have told me about him. Their little hearts got trapped and broken in the depths of his dark soul,” she says with sarcastic humor.

“What are you talking about?”

She picks up another piece of moist muffin and pushes it into her mouth.

“You said you read that book. Were you under the impression that he had fallen for Rain?”

My mouth falls open.

“Yes, I actually was,” I say. “He wanted her. He wanted more than the call girl in her.”

“Do you know why?”

“No.”

“He wanted an upgrade, but in her case, he couldn’t get it.”

“Huh?”

She laughs.

“You know what I mean,” she says.

“I know what you mean. I think I do.”

“He wanted to buy her all the way. She would’ve been the perfect trophy wife.”

“He was married.”

“To someone he didn’t love.”

“And you know that from your friends as well?”

Something beeps in the background, claiming her attention, while I grapple with a nasty cliffhanger.

I’m waiting for her to come back as she rises from her seat and walks away from her phone.

“Chloe? Are you still there?” I ask moments later.

---