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“Not even a little. It’s not like hanging out in my own house while Ezra is sleeping is a huge burden. Ilovethat you’re going out and getting a life. It thrills me.”
I slipped my dress over my head and fluffed my hair. My makeup consisted of a swipe of mascara on my blonde lashes, a little eyebrow powder, and raspberry lipstick.
“Speaking of the life you’re getting,” she held my phone out to me, “you have a text from a man.Theman, if I’m not mistaken.”
“There’s no other man.”
Callum had found me in the coffee shop three times this week and we’d texted every night before bed. I was practically vibrating with anticipation for tomorrow night.
Callum:Be good tonight. I’m on my way to dinner. Thinking of you always.
Me:I’m thinking of you too. I’ll see you tomorrow. Have fun!!
Grinning to myself, I set my phone down and slid a pair of hoops in my ears. While I was at drinks tonight, Callum was going to dinner with the rest of The Seasons Change to celebrate finishing their album.
My phone started ringing just as I secured the back on the second hoop. Callum was calling.
“Hello?”
“Little Bird,” he breathed. “Are you mad?”
My eyes flicked to my reflection. “No. Why would I be?”
He exhaled in my ear. “Where were my hugs and kisses then?”
It took me a second to understand what he was asking, then it dawned on me. I hadn’t typed ‘xoxo.’
“That wasn’t on purpose. I’m rushing to get ready. Jenny told me to wear the dress I wore to Benson’s party.”
There was a pause, then another exhale. “You looked fuckin’ delectable in that dress. I’m jealous of everyone who’s gonna see you tonight. But I know you’ll be a good girl. You always are.”
My teeth dug into my bottom lip. My stomach flipped. God, this man was something else. He had a bead on the exact kind of thing to say to make me melt into a puddle for him.
“For you I am,” I replied.
“Wren.” My name sounded like a sigh. “I gotta go before I decide to say fuck everything and come get you. I just needed to make sure I didn’t fuck up.”
“You didn’t. I promise. Have fun, Callum.”
“Good night, baby.”
As soon as he hung up, I texted him.
Me:Xoxo!
Callum:That’s a lot better. I’ll talk to you later, Wren. x
“Oh, babe, you’ve got it bad. Look at your smile,” Jenny teased.
“I know, right?” Ignoring my fluttering heart and warm cheeks, I tucked my phone and lipstick into a small purse. “I’m really trying to take it slow with him, but he’s just so...he’s Callum.”
She snorted a laugh. “I get it. I’ve heard enough about him over the years to completely understand.”
I sucked in a deep breath and smoothed a hand over my stomach. “Shit, I have to go.”
“Go, go. Have fun. And don’t worry about a single thing.”
The bar where I was meeting Natalie, Marissa, and Adelaide was in the next neighborhood over from mine, a part of Queens that was becoming more and more gentrified by the minute. To my surprise, though, Natalie had chosen a low-key dive that wasn’t packed with dude bros in ill-fitting suits. Some of the people inside actually looked like they might live in the area and hadn’t been imported from Manhattan.
