Page 52 of The Love Penalty
“Hello?” I mumble, sitting up and switching my light on.
“Hey. It’s Lani.”
My insides jump with pleasure until I realize the fucking time, and then worry floods me. “Are you okay? Where are you?”
“In my bed,” she whispers. “I’m sorry to call you so late, but I figured your phone would be on Do Not Disturb and I could just hear your voice before leaving a message.” She softly tuts. “Actually, I probably wouldn’t have left a message.”
I grin. “How’d you get my number?”
“I stole it off Caroline’s phone. She’s sleeping.” Although Lani’s speaking softly, her voice has a brightness to it that it was lacking on Saturday.
She sounds like she’s doing okay, so the worry in my chest drops to a simmer as I sink back against my pillows and ask, “And why did you want to hear my voice?”
I picture her smile as she goes quiet for a moment.
“Did you miss my dulcet tones? That’s it, right? You needed a little hit of the sexy Ash-Man’s voice before drifting off to sleep.”
Her laughter is soft and wispy. “I can’t sleep. That’s why I’m calling you.” She sighs. “The truth is, I was hoping you’d answer, because you’re the only person I know who can fill my head with inane facts that are boring enough to fall asleep to.”
“O-kay.” I frown. “Now I’m trying to decide whether to be insulted or take that as a compliment. You just inferred that I’m knowledgeable and boring in the same sentence.”
She giggles. It’s a light, sweet sound that makes my chest tingle.
I grin, drinking in this moment. Wishing I could see her, touch her… hold her again.
“Just tell me something. Anything. So I don’t have to think. My brain is going nuts.”
My lips dip with concern. “Do you want me to come over?”
“We shouldn’t wake Caroline.”
“We won’t. We can go for a walk in the moonlight or something.”
“But it’s the middle of the night. I can’t ask you to do that for me.”
“You’re not. I’m offering. If you want me to come over, I’ll be there in a heartbeat.”
There’s a pause before she softly replies, “Really?”
“Yes.” I say it emphatically, then throw in an extra mouthful of truth to really sell it. “I like you, remember? You’re the girl I can’t stop thinking about.”
“I’m still having that effect on you, huh?”
“Uh… yup!” I exaggerate the word, and she laughs again.
But then a serious edge creeps into her voice. “Even after everything I told you?”
I take a breath, making sure my voice rings true. “Even more so than before. I’m here for you, in any way you need me. And if that means walks in the middle of the night, then bring it the fuck on, beautiful.” I fling the covers off and jump up, grabbing a clean shirt out of my drawer and snatching a pair of sweats out of my closet. “Stay in your room until I get there, and I’ll text you when I pull up outside.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
I’ve never gotten dressed so fast in my life. Hopping around on one foot, I wrestle my socks on, then bolt for the front door.
Four minutes later, I’m pulling up outside Huxley Hall and grabbing my phone to text Lani.
But she pulls the door open and runs out before I can even get her number up.
“You were supposed to wait in your room,” I grumble. “I was gonna come get you.”