Page 45 of Fall for You
Not like heartache, but like…he was homesick.
Which made no sense whatsoever.
He cleared his throat. “I can’t believe you’re calling me.” He waited a beat. “At my office.”
“Why? It’s not like your phone’s bugged.” Willow gasped. “Wait, is it? I mean, I know the dark side can be paranoid, but?—”
“Willow.”
“Yes?”
There were so many things he meant to say.Why are you calling? What do you need? Don’t bother me during business hours.
What he said was a sappy-sounding “Hi.”
“Hello.”
He could picture her grin. Could hear it in her voice. And maybe he ought to have smothered a smile of his own, but honestly, what was the point? Instead, he let his happy expression spread as he leaned back in his seat. “You must really miss me to call me like this.”
She laughed—but she didn’t deny it. “Aren’t you curious why I’d risk the wrath of my family to reach out this way?”
“You mean it’s not just because you miss me?”
Man, he wished he could see her. Was she blushing? He’d bet money she was. She was quick to blush, and even quicker to laugh.
“Eric.” She sounded exasperated, but in a cute way. Like she was smiling as she rolled her eyes.
But it didn’t escape his notice that she still hadn’t denied that she missed him.
“Okay, fine.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “What’s this urgent message you have for me?” There was a pause. A beat long enough to make his eyebrows wrinkle again. “Willow?”
“I found something.” The words came out in a rush of air, and he could practically feel her excitement over the line.
His eyes went wide, his own excitement rising. “Wait. Like…the contract?”
If she was excited about the contract, that meant the Kings won the land argument. It’d mean he’d lost. And yet…
He couldn’t bring himself to feel anything but excited.
If it was over…
If there was no legal battle between their families…
“No, not the contract.” She sounded surprised.
“Then what is it?”
“I can’t tell you over the phone.”
“Willow. You’re killing me here.”
Her laugh was adorable. “I know. But it’s worth the wait. I promise.”
“You want me to come to you?” He didn’t know why the words felt so weighty. Or why his chest felt so freakin’ tight.
“Will you?”
Another silence. Another ache behind his rib cage. Would he go to her if she wanted him? He didn’t have to think. If he had, he would have given a different answer. “Of course.”
