Page 53 of Captured Love

Selene: Yes, they can. And I’m interested to see how different this change will be.

Interested. That has to be a good sign, right? I start typing a response, delete it, then type something else, stare at it, and delete that too. I'm overthinking this way too much, but I don’t want to screw it up.

Then an idea comes to mind.

I sit up quickly then debate with myself before making a decision. Hearing the sound of her voice would do me better than just trading text messages back and forth. My finger hovers over her name for a moment before I press down on the screen.

Now all I have to do is wait.

20

KNOX

“Hello?” The greeting sounds like a question, but I understand why. Selene is probably just as confused as I am about why I called her. Although I did think about it before I did it, it is impulsive in a way because I’m still left wondering exactly what it is I’m doing.

“Hey, picosita,” is the only thing I can think of to say. I’m definitely not prepared to talk to her, yet I jumped off that cliff with a flying leap.

“This is a pleasant surprise. Why’d you call?”

Good question, I think. I know it’s because I wanted to hear her voice, but I don’t think she’s ready to hear that.

“I just wanted to—” I start, then pause. “I thought it might be easier to talk on the phone.” That reasoning sounds lame to my ears.

“But talk about what?” Selene asks. I can almost see the way she’s tilting her head, a half-smile playing on her lips.

“The book we’re joint reading together? Sports? The weather?” Each suggestion I make sounds worse than the last.

Selene doesn’t say a word at first but then she laughs, a bright and infectious sound that makes me grip the phone tighter.

“Knox, that might be the dorkiest thing I’ve ever heard,” she says with a small giggle. Add a point to the tally for me. “But let’s talk. What are you up to?”

“Nothing really. Just hanging in my hotel room by myself.”

“So, what's a big, strong hockey player like you doing all alone in his room on a Thursday night?” Selene teases, her voice low and playful. “Don't you have hordes of girls beating down your door?”

“You think I’m big?”

“Of course that’s the first thing you pick up on.”

I snort, shaking my head even though she can't see me. “I’m just going to keep that in mind.” I wait a beat before I continue. “I gave all the ladies a night off. Figured I'd grace you with my presence instead.”

“Wow, I'm honored,” she drawls. “And here I thought you only called me when you were bored or desperate.”

I chuckle, even though her words sting a little because they’re not entirely inaccurate. Still, I appreciate the banter. It’s easier than diving into the real reason I called, which I’m not ready to admit to.

“Come on, picosita,” I say, trying to regain some ground. “You know I value our... whatever this is.”

“Friendship?” she offers, and for some reason, the way she says it makes me think she’s testing the word out, seeing if it fits.

“Yeah, friendship,” I agree, though my chest tightens. “So, have you finished the last chapter yet?”

Selene sighs dramatically. “Of course I have. Unlike some people, I take our joint reading very seriously.”

“I'm just savoring it,” I lie. The truth is, I've been swamped with training and games, and when I do have a moment to breathe, my mind's been elsewhere. Mainly on Selene and how this thing between us is evolving. It's freaking me out more than I'm willing to admit.

“Savoring,” she repeats, clearly skeptical. “Well, it's not like Tolstoy. You could finish it in an hour if you really tried.”

“I'll get there. Maybe tonight before bed,” I promise. “So what did you think of the twist?”