Page 11 of Game Changer

A friend who likely has an adorable Irish accent.

A friend who has bottomless, stunning blue eyes.

A friend who –

Stop it. Just say no. Tell her you’re busy.

Ignoring his inner monologue, he pulled up her number on his phone that Jeremy had put in there ‘just in case’ he ever needed it and hit the call button before he could change his mind.

“Hello?”

He let out the breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

“Hi. I wasn’t sure you would pick up.”

She laughed, a beautifully melodic sound. “Why not? Wejusttalked about chatting on the phone. It tends to be the typical response when a phone rings, you know? You kinda pick it up and say hello. Plus, I’m perfectly lovely, you know – I don’t just go around ignoring people.”

Oh, I know you’re perfectly lovely.

“And modest, too.”

She laughed again. “You ok to hang around on the phone while I brush my teeth and get into my pjs?”

“Sure, I don’t have anywhere else to be.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“No, that’s not what I– I didn’t mean. Christ, Lis, you have me a bit upside down.”

“I know, it’s kinda cute. You haven’t asked me to repeat anything yet, so you mustn’t be too put-out by the accent.”

“Well, you do speak a little fast. But I’m coping. So far. In fact, I kinda like it. You have a good day?”

“Just kinda? I did, actually. Have a good day, I mean,” her answer was muffled.

What are you doing?

“I handed in an assignment and did some research in the library.”

“Sounds productive. You settled in bed?”

“How’d you know?”

“The chaos suddenly stopped.”

She giggled. “Sorry. It was a little spur of the moment that you were going to call. I can usually text and get through my evening routine easily enough. AJ?”

I like it when she giggles.

“Yeah?”

“I’m really glad you called.”

Her voice sounded as genuine as her tone came across in her messages. “I’m glad I called, too. I probably shouldn’t keep you up too much later,” he told her, as she smothered a yawn. “You sound tired.”

“I like your voice.”

Straight to the point. No fuckery. Definitely getting points for that.