Swallowing, I’m momentarily stunned by his admission.
“You still with me, Vi?”
My lower stomach tightens, and my cheeks heat from the tone of his voice.What the fuck?
I clear my throat. “Yeah, I’m here.”
The sound of a door closing in the background comes through the speaker, followed by a shuffling noise and a relieved sigh.
“Well, you going to answer me, or cat got your tongue?” I hear the usual playfulness in his tone, unlike earlier today, which even I can admit was out of character for him.
Rolling my eyes, I pick at a thread on my shorts. They’ve seen better days, but I have difficulty parting with things. “It's for a new musical in the city.”
“So, why are you stressing about it? Lottie is alwayssingingyour praises.”
I let out a sigh at his shitty use of a pun but can’t stop my small smile.
“Ha ha, very funny.”
“Sing to me.”
Sitting up straight, I shake my head. “I’m not singing to you.”
I swear it sounds like he clicked his tongue. “Why not?”
“Well, because, hmm, well.” Fuck if I know why?
Moving to my feet, I walk in small circles, my toes digging into the soft rug.
“Come on, Vi, I never took you for a chicken.”
“I’m not.” Okay, well, that's a lie. I’m not usually asked to sing like this, one-on-one. I know how pathetic that sounds, as it would mean performing on stage in front of an audience.
“If you say so, gorgeous.”
Air catches in my lungs at the last word, which rolled so easily off his tongue, and I try to push it away. He probably calls every woman gorgeous or love.
He laughs, and I feel it vibrate down the handset and straight to my core. I need to take care of myself tonight. I don’t even like him, not like that, do I?
“Fine, I’ll sing.”
I don’t know why I’m taking his bait, but I’m sure as hell not going to let him think he’s right, hell to the no.
“Do I get to make a request?” he asks.
“No, don’t push your luck.”
His chuckle makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I have to shake the feeling away.
Clearing my throat, I switch my phone to the speaker. I stand with my feet shoulder-width apart. With a deep inhale, then exhale, I begin singing “Never Enough” fromThe Greatest Showman.
Like I always do, I get so lost in the song that when I finish, I hear a whistle followed by clapping, and I open my eyes. I remember Nathan is on the other end of the phone.
Blushing, I take him off speaker and bring my phone to my ear.
“Satisfied?”
“No, actually.”
