Page 54 of Captured Love

She launches into a passionate analysis, her voice animated and full of life. I let her words wash over me, half listening because what really fascinates me is how much she cares about this and the sound of her voice. It's one of the things I've come to admire about her, even if it sometimes intimidates me. As she dissects the plot and character motivations, I find myself smiling. This is why I called, I realize. Not just to hear her voice, but to feel connected to her in this way, to share something more than just text messages, which can feel impersonal.

“...but I won't spoil it for you,” Selene finishes. “You better catch up soon.”

“I will,” I say. “I want to know what happens next.”

“Do you?” she asks. The tone of her voice makes me think she's talking about more than just the book.

“Yeah,” I say slowly. “I do.”

There's a pause, and in the silence I can almost hear the gears in her mind turning.

“Well then,” she finally says, her voice gentler now, “you'd better read fast.”

“I will,” I repeat, this time with more conviction. “Promise.”

“So, are you ready for the game tomorrow?”

“I hope so. Are you going to watch? My invitation for you to come to one of my games still stands.”

“Maybe I’ll watch. I do have a bunch of homework to catch up on,” she admits.

“I get it.”

“Wait. Is Knox pouting? I didn’t know it meant so much to you for me to watch or attend.”

I didn’t either. Until now.

“I'm just saying,” I add, “it'd be cool to have a friend cheering me on.”

“Ah, a friend,” Selene repeats. I swear I can hear her smirking through the phone. “Well, friend, I'll see what I can do.”

Having her admit to being friends is a step up from where we were, but does this friendzone this whole situation? I'm not sure.

“So what are you up to?” I ask quickly before the conversation potentially comes to an end before I’m ready.

“Nothing really. I just got done taking a shower. Then I was doom scrolling and texting you.”

That explains the gap between her texts. I don’t even try to stop the image of her wrapped in a towel, water dripping down her body. Damn, I wish she was here right now. I’d be annoyed that the fabric is covering the parts of her that I want to see the most. I can almost feel the heat radiating from her body, smell the faint scent of her fruity shampoo. My hands itch to pull the towel away so that I can run my fingers over all of her curves.

In my mind, she steps closer, her breath warm against my chest as she looks up at me with those big, expressive eyes. I snatch the towel from her grasp, and I?—

Fuck, why am I torturing myself like this?

“Knox? You still there?” Selene's voice pulls me back to reality, and I shake my head to clear the vivid daydream.

“Yeah, sorry. Just... thinking.”

“About what?” she asks.

“About how nice it would be to have you here,” I say before I can stop myself. The silence that follows is deafening, and I immediately regret the confession.

“Here?” she finally says, her voice smaller now. “In your hotel room?”

“Yeah. To hang out and do other things.” Why can’t I just say it?

“Like what?”

“You’re really going to make me spell it out for you?”