Page 60 of You Rock My World
“Dark, unruly hair, piercing blue eyes…”
She sighs. “Reminds me of someone. Keep reading…”
I resume from where I left off, taking my voice an octave lower. “Cassian brought his blade up in an arc, the pointslicing throughhis attacker’s abdomen. Bloodsprayed, warm and sticky, across his face. He wiped it with the back of his hand,smearing itinto the grime already caked there. ‘Charming,’ he sputtered. ‘Really, this day just keeps getting better…’”
I keep reading without pause for an hour before checking again on her. “Josie, are you still there?”
She doesn’t reply.
I close the book in my lap and listen to the soft, rhythmic sound of her breathing through the line.
“Goodnight, love,” I whisper, knowing she won’t hear me, and hang up with a smile.
Maybe today wasn’t so useless after all.
* * *
The next day, I make it only until eight thirty before sending my evening text to Josie. We’ve been on multiple phone calls during the day, but this is the moment I’ve been looking forward to the most.
Dorian
Want to play a game?
Josie
You’re in bed already?
Dorian
There are other places we can play
Josie
*heart-on-fire emoji* color me intrigued
Dorian
What would you do if I told you I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you?
I’d meant to be playful, but my brain went from zero to a hundred in less than a heartbeat.
Josie
I’d swoon
In fact, I’m swooning…
I live alone, this game is getting dangerous
If I face-plant in my living room, no one is going to find me for days
Dorian
I’d come find you *wink emoji*
Josie
You’re making me swoon again
