Page 120 of Forever Love

“Because I was standing there, staring at my phone in disbelief like an idiot.”

“Not used to a girl who makes the first move?”

“Not used to… this.”

“Talking with a stranger on the phone?”

“Talking. Being set up. Whatever we’re doing. I don’t know.”

“Haven’t dated much?”

I bite back a laugh as I think about that. “I haven’t really dated at all. I was basically in a relationship for ten years and then—”

“Ten years? How old are you?” Her voice is hilariously high and screechy.

“Almost thirty,” I say, lowering my voice an octave. “Didn’t Leigh tell you I like younger girls?”

“You—you—I can’t believe this. I swear to God—”

That’s as long as I can last before bursting into laughter. “I can’t believe you bought that.”

“Oh my god. You were joking. Of course. Gosh! It’s a lot harder to tell when you can’t see someone’s face.”

“I can’t believe you bought the voice.” My voice is breathy from laughing.

“Okay, fine. Fine. Seriously, though. Ten years?”

“A little more. Kind of. Puppy love when we were kids. Officially started dating at thirteen. And then—” I stop short. It’s still not easy to talk about my mistakes. They’re a part of my past, and I know it’s important to be honest, but I don’t want to scare her away on our first phone call. “Well, the rest is a series of fuck ups and stupidity.”

She’s quiet for a moment before saying, “I’ve had my share of those. I’m not scared of the truth. I’d rather know it, but if you don’t want to talk about it—”

“I do.”

I do?God, why do I feel like this? Like I want to bare my soul to her? I’m hanging on every word, waiting for her reaction. Her sass. She’s not snarky like Leigh. It’s fast and bright, like a firecracker.Firecracker.

“Then regale me, mystery man. Tell me all of it.”

I glance at the clock. “I’ve got to leave for work in twenty minutes. I’ve got the late shift tonight. How about we talk tomorrow night? Are you free?”

“Phone date?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I’m in. We’ll get to know each other, share our darkest secrets, and if we don’t want to block each other’s numbers by the end, we can keep going.”

“Sounds perfect, Firecracker.”

“Firecracker?”

“It fits. Trust me.”

She makes a sweet littlemmnoise that goes straight to my dick. “Firecracker,” she breathes. “I like that.”

“You got a name for me?”

“To be decided. Maybe I’ll know after our heart-to-heart tomorrow. Eight p.m.?”

“Talk to you then.”

“Sure. Bye, mystery man.”

“Bye, Firecracker.”

Again, I hear themmnoise as she hangs up the phone. I set my phone down and stare at my crotch. One phone call, and I’m hard as a rock. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had sex in a while. Maybe it’s because she’s got that perfect blend of spice and sweet. Or maybe it’s because she already has a power over me that I don’t understand and scares the hell out of me.

I have no idea. I glance at the clock. But at least I have time for a cold shower before work.

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