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.Once Megan and I realized that I could be the one causing the ringing noises we were hearing, we looked at each other with matching looks of panic, and she bent to look through the crack."Hang it up," she whispered, looking up at me."What'd you see?""Nothing.I couldn't see anything.That could mean he's back here by the back wall and would hear us." She looked back through the hole."See?" she whispered."I see him now.I'll bet it was your call making that phone ring.No telling where he was when you called.It's a good thing you didn't talk to him.""What's he doing?"Megan focused into the hole again."Nothing.Just walking back toward the pool.He's looking down at his phone.""Does he have on a shirt?" I asked.I was half joking but she answered anyway."Yeah, but it's a muscle shirt.I can still see his arms and everything.He's making a call.He just put the phone to his ear."Before what she was saying had the chance to sink in, my phone started ringing and vibrating in my hand, nearly causing me to jump right out of my skin.Thank God, I had the presence of mind to silence it immediately by pressing the volume button on the side.I was really quick on the draw, but it didn't stop Megan and I from looking at each other in shock.She stuck her hand out toward the house and pointed dramatically."Run!" she whispered."Go over there and answer it.I'll watch through here and make sure he stays put."My face crumpled with worry."Can I do this?"She pinned me with a stare."Hurry!" she whispered frantically."It's what you wanted.Go!""Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," I whispered as I ran toward the back of the guesthouse.I pressed the button to answer the phone just as soon as I thought I was out of range to be heard.I took a deep, calming breath after I picked it up.I hated to answer the phone breathless, but I didn't really have a choice.I spoke carefully."Hello?" I said.I glanced back at Megan, who was staring through the hole, while awkwardly holding a thumbs up in the air for me.I smiled at the sight of her arm all jacked up in the air, trying to get me the message."I just missed a call from this number," he said.My heart melted at the sound of his perfect, deep voice.It sounded like velvet to my ears and I didn't even have that good of reception.I was so distracted by everything that I almost forgot to speak."Uh, yes, I tried to place a call to you a few minutes ago, but we got cut off," I lied."Can I help you with something?""I'm calling about buying furniture from you.I called and left a message yesterday, but I was just gonna see if I could get in touch with you again today since I was thinking about it.""Have you seen my work somewhere?""I got your number from your website, but not much of your portfolio is on there, and the prices weren't listed.""I build one of a kind, custom pieces to fit the exact needs of the customer," he said."I also happen to have magical powers and I put a little mojo into everything I make.Also, I use only the finest materials, so it's high quality shit.These things being said, it's kind of the thing where I don't list prices because if you have to ask—""You probably can't afford it," I finished.I could hear him let out a low laugh on the other end, and my stomach flipped.I loved the sound of his voice."Money's not really an object," I said."Especially if magic's involved.""In that case, what can I help you with?""I was hoping I could check out some of your work before I decide what I want to have you get started on first.""I have a few pieces in my own house, but I make it to order, so I don't keep any sort of inventory.""I guess there's no chance you'd let me check out the ones you have at your house, would you?"I couldn't believe I was being so bold.It was so unlike me, but I was desperate to see him up close, and would obviously do or say just about anything to make that happen.He hesitated for a second."I don’t guess it would hurt, but you should know that I have three or four other jobs in front of you.I might be a few weeks.""That's fine," I said.I was shaking from nerves, and could not believe that I was actually about to make plans to go to his house."I'll text my address to this number when we hang up," he said."You can come by at five o'clock this afternoon.I only have about fifteen minutes to talk to you, so don’t be late.""Are you sure it's okay?""Yeah, it's fine."I thanked him and we hung up.I couldn't believe it was actually happening.I looked at Megan who was no longer peering through the hole but looking at me.I walked back over to the wall.Chapter 8"What happened?" she whispered with wide eyes.Now here's the part where I played a little mental tug of war.Should I tell her the whole truth about our conversation and risk her wanting to come with me when I go over there? It wasn't that I was above lying, it's that I couldn't decide whether or not I wanted her over there with me.Part of me wanted her with me in case they really turned out to be pirates and I suddenly find myself in a predicament, but the other part knew that Megan was strikingly beautiful and would likely be the one to catch his attention if we both went over there.All of this went through my head as I made my way back over toward the wall."What happened?" she repeated.I had heard her the first time but just couldn't decide what I was going to tell her.I felt too rushed to think of a good lie, so I went for the truth."He's showing me some furniture pieces at five o'clock," I said.My expression made it clear that even I didn't believe it.Her eyes were already huge, but they widened, looking like they might pop out of her head at any second.Just then, a text came through on my phone.I was glad I'd told her the truth, because when I looked down at it and saw that it was Drake, I couldn't contain the smile that spread across my face.There was nothing there besides his address—just the street name and number, but I still smiled at the sight of it."What?" she asked."That's him texting me his address."She shook her head and stared at me with that same disbelieving grin."I can't believe you're really going through with it," she said."Do you want me to go with you?"And there it was—the million-dollar question.I could say yes and have the beautiful Megan with me when I went over there or I could say no and be awkward with my friend.Clearly, the latter won out."I think I got it," I said."Thank you though.""Are you scared?" she whispered.I shrugged.I was scared, but probably not for the reasons she was thinking or for the reasons I should be."Not really," I said, knowing that was the easiest answer.I stooped down to peer through the hole again."I wish this thing wasn't so close to the ground," I said, grunting quietly with the effort.She giggled."If it was easier to see through, they'd probably notice it was there [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]