Page 45 of What I'm Looking For

“Oh my god I said that out loud.” And now I want to die. “Heh heh. Just kidding. I have lots of boring reading to put me to sleep. No vibrator needed.”Shutupabout the masturbating, Kate.“Anyway, thanks again for dinner. And everything. I had a really good time. Duh, we said that already.”

Great, now I’m babbling.

“Want to come by the bar this week? I’d like to see you but I’m working every night.”

“I feel kind of weird coming in solo.” My mom’s voice in my head is loud.Ladies do not go to drinking establishments by themselves.

“So bring a friend. Free drinks.” I think I hear his bed creaking. Their kitchen phone has one of those super-long cords, so it’s possible he took the receiver to his room. “I don’t want to wait a whole week to see you.”

“I know, me too.” Even though girls are supposed to play hard to get, I’m not that good of an actress. “I’ll try, but I can’t promise anything. I’ll see you on the weekend for sure, right?”

“I hope so. I’ll call you as soon as I get the rehearsal schedule.”

He doesn’t say anything for a bit. Neither do I, but it’s not an uncomfortable silence. I should get to bed, but I’m not ready to hang up. Then I remember that I’m holding the cordless phone my parents gave me for Christmas, so I don’t have to be standing here in the chilly kitchen. I jog to my room and jump into bed. Frankie leaps up, yowling.

Will laughs. “What the heck was that?”

A blur of fur races by. “My cat. I think I sat on him.”

“Nice play, Shakespeare.”

“Ha.” I snuggle under the covers.

A few beats pass and then we both talk at the same time.

“I should let you go?—”

“Well, I don’t want to keep you?—”

He laughs. “I’ll see you. Soon.”

“Okay. Good night.” There’s a pout on my lips as I push the button to end the call. After tromping back to the kitchen to return the phone to its base, I squeeze my hands on both sides of my head. “Got to stay focused. Got to keep my eye on the ball.”

Later, after I put the vibrator through its paces, I fall asleep with a smile on my face, determined that the next time I have an orgasm, it won’t be a solo experience.

After all, research indicates that the ROI on sex with Will could be quite rewarding.

Chapter11

BEEP. Tuesday, 9:45 p.m.

Hey, Kate, it’s Will. Just letting you know I’m not actually working Wednesday at the bar but I do have rehearsal. Hopefully I’ll see you at the bar on Thursday or Friday? Or we can find time on the weekend. I was going to wait and tell you when I saw you, but guess what? I got that film job! It’s my first so I’m pretty excited. Anyway, just wanted to share the news. Hope I’ll see you Thursday.

BEEP. Wednesday, 5:38 p.m.

Hi, Will, it’s Kate. I just got your message now—I was asleep already when you called last night. I’m bummed! I was going to try and come tonight. And congratulations! That’s very exciting. Maybe you’ll end up a movie star after all. Okay, so, I’ll try to come to the bar tomorrow after work. I guess I’ll go for a run now or something… but… you don’t need to know that. Bye.

BEEP. Thursday, 9:47 p.m.

Kate! Hi, it’s Will. Sorry I’m shouting; it’s kinda loud in here. I guess you’re not coming to the bar. That’s okay. Hopefully, I’ll see you this weekend. Sorry I don’t have my schedule yet—they are promising it tomorrow. Or maybe you can come to the bar tomorrow? I can’t remember what you had Friday night. Anyway, maybe we can get together at some point. Uh, what? Oh. Sorry, Kate, gotta go.

BEEP. Friday, 8:15 a.m.

Will, it’s Kate. I’m sorry I didn’t make it last night. My boss dumped a project on my desk at four thirty yesterday and I had to get a report done by seven this morning. I was at work until midnight and when I got home I literally fell asleep in my clothes. Sorry! So… you’re probably not up yet but I guess we’ll talk later. Oh, wait—I can’t come to the bar tonight, sorry. I promised my neighbor I’d babysit. Dang it.

BEEP. Friday, 12:30 p.m.

Hi Kate, it’s Will. Bummed you can’t come tonight. I just got my schedule, and I am in rehearsal this entire weekend. I can’t believe it. I mean, I figured I’d have some rehearsal, and I don’t know why I’m called all day, but… so… let’s talk. Um, let me know when’s a good time to call, and maybe we can have a late dinner or breakfast or something.

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