Page 40 of Dial L for Lawyer
"Plus," Audrey adds with a grin, "worst case scenario, you get amazing dinners and hopefully mind-blowing sex before everything implodes."
"Audrey!"
"What? The man oozes sex appeal. And he's clearly obsessed with you. Do you know how rare that is?"
I think about the way he looked at me outside the car, like he wanted to consume me. The barely leashed control. The way his hands shook slightly when he touched my face.
"Maybe you're right," I admit quietly. “Maybe I can trust this.”
"Of course we're right," Layla says. "The question is, what are you going to do about it?"
I look at my phone sitting on the table, then back at my friends. Something shifts in my chest—courage, maybe, or just enough wine to make me brave.
"I'm going to stop being a coward," I say, picking up my phone.
"Right now?" Audrey asks, leaning forward.
My fingers hover over the keys, and I can feel both my friends holding their breath. The whole bar seems to pause, waiting. I take a deep breath and start typing before I can lose my nerve.
Me:
Do you want to know what my biggest regret is?
I hit send. My pulse pounds in my ears as I watch the ellipsis bubble appear beneath his name. Then, a few seconds later:
Caleb:
Yes
Just that. No punctuation, no embellishment. My stomach flips.
Layla's peering over her glass, eyes huge. Audrey is gnawing her straw. "Well?" they demand in unison.
"He said yes," I say, slightly dumbstruck.
Audrey giggles. "Of course he did, you dolt. What did you think he'd say, 'No thanks, never text me again'?"
"Shut up. This is uncharted territory." My fingers shake as I type.
Me:
That night you waited for me at Georgio’s. My biggest regret is that I didn't show up. That I never gave us a chance.
Send.
The dots start blinking almost instantly.
Caleb:
Tell me what would have happened if you had.
My whole body flushes hot. I press my thighs together harder, grateful my friends can't see how affected I am by six words on a screen.
"Oh my god," I breathe. "What do I even say?"
"Say what you want to," Layla urges. "Pretend you're writing fanfic about your own life."
I can't look at them while I type.
