Page 50 of Take It Offline

Was it meant to be humid tonight? A light sweat is breaking out behind my knees.

I sprawl out, desperate for relief from the fire heating me from the inside out. “No, this is fine.”

That’s a lie. It doesn’t feel fine. It feels… confusing.

Which is ridiculous. I’m the one who asked him to help me.

Music swells from the television, reminding me I was mid-movie before he called, and I quickly lower the sound.

Charlie, who notices everything and can never help himself, asks, “What are you watching?”

I curl up on my side, stuffing one hand under my pillow. “To Catch A Thief.” It was Nana’s favorite, so it’s mine as well.

“Give me a minute, and I’ll catch up.”

Why not? Things are already strange enough. And I’m not ready to discuss the real reason he called.

“Cary wore his own wardrobe here, you know. Nan was obsessed with his style, Kelly too, of course.”

Charlie hums, the sound low and soothing.

I find myself trying to picture him. Today he was sporting a slim charcoal wool suit that I would bet money is a three-piece,even though he wasn’t wearing a waistcoat. “Your wardrobe would have impressed her.”

“Thanks, but I’m much more interested in your opinion.”

My pulse rabbits in my throat. “You already know how good I think you look.”

“I don’t, actually,” he purrs, and the air around me grows thick. “Tell me again.”

Christ.

“You’re ridiculous,” I sigh, but secretly I’m happy. With the phone cradled against my ear and the soft sheets under me, it’s easier to let go. Like we’ve pressed pause on the outside world, and now it’s only us.

“This movie is a little ridiculous,” he says. “But I can see what you like about it.”

“It’s a guilty pleasure. Nana loved the clothes. Every chance she could, she’d come over, put a movie on, and teach me everything she knew.” Suits were her favorite. She really would have loved k-dramas. “Edith Head, Eiko Ishioka, Ruth Carter. She loved costume designers. Have you ever seenMahogany? The clothes are gorgeous. The whole reason Nana studied fashion was to get into wardrobe. That’s how her business started.” It’s been ten years since she passed, and I miss her every single day. “Watching them now always makes me feel like she’s with me.”

Every time I finish a project at work, I hope she’d be proud of me. “If you’re looking for suits, I really love Loulou Bontemp’s work. Oh, we should watchThe Untouchables. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a version of Eliot Ness I didn’t want to—” I stop.

“Want to what?” he asks, practically purring down the line.

It shouldn’t be seductive. But my body doesn’t care. Charlie’s little rumble instantly sparks a wave of goose bumps.

I clear my throat. “Why did you call?”

“I’m curious about this ex of yours,” he says without hesitation. “What’s so great that you want him back?”

“Logan is?—”

He snorts.

“What?”

“No, nothing.” But his voice is laced with humor. “Is he Logan the Second or the Third? I wouldn’t want to offend.”

“Second.”

Charlie’s low laugh skitters through the phone and down my spine.

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