Page 89 of A New Chapter

When she remained silent, he gave a heavy sigh and continued. “Ugh. I promised myself I wouldn’t do this. I don’t mean to make you feel bad for leaving. I would just rather have you here—with me.”

His heartfelt admission made her tongue-tied.

“Damn. You’re not talking. Did I screw up again? I screwed up again, didn’t I?”

Emma laughed through her tears. “No, you didn’t screw up.” I’m the one who screwed up this time.

“Well, then, say something, Em, anything. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

Now it was her turn to sigh. “I want to, Zack, I really do, but now is not the right time. I want to wait until we’re face to face, and then I’ll talk. I promise.”

“Ok, fine. I guess I can wait two more days.”

“It’ll go by fast.”

“I hope so, because I can only take so much bad television.”

Emma giggled again. “Goodnight, Zack.”

“I guess I could try to read again.”

“Goodnight, Zack,” Emma repeated, unable to suppress her huge grin.

“Maybe I should try reading a different genre. I heard about this series. You might know it. Something about a rich guy who wears a gray tie…”

“You don’t need to read that series.”

“Why not?”

“Because you have plenty of moves without it.”

“Ooh. Tell me more.”

“Goodnight, Zack.”

“Talk to you tomorrow.”

Emma barely heard Zack say, “I wonder what he does with that gray tie anyway?” before he hung up the phone.