My heart pounded as the phone rang. I hoped I hadn't waited too long. She might have moved on, deciding I was too much of a coward.
"Hello?" she answered in the sultry voice she had used when she had whispered to me. It was much more pleasant than the barking tone she used when threatening to blow my head off.
"H...hey" My voice cracked when I spoke, like I was sixteen or something. I slapped my forehead hard enough that she heard it over the phone.
She giggled, "Is this Luke the banker?"
"How'd you know?"
"Burner phone. I only gave this number to one person. I figured ya'd find it where I left it."
"Yeah, that was...yeah, certainly a spot to leave it."
"I've been thinking about ya'."
"Me too, I mean, thinking of you. Not me. I've been thinking about you, too. A lot, actually." I thought I had a working brain at one point. My verbal mess didn't seem to faze her.
"I like the sound a' that."
"I was wondering, uh..Miss Black Hat, if you'd, you know, like to get dinner. Some time. With me. Ithinkitwouldbefun."
She laughed again. I was both elated and deflated by the sound. Was she laughing at me? Was this a cruel hoax? Or was I being charming and didn't know it? I waited with my heart in my throat for her to respond.
"Really?" she asked.
"...yeah."
"After the way I introduced myself don't ya' think I've got more on my mind than dinner and a movie?"
"Well, yeah, I...thought maybe we could get some food, fuel up for what you've got in mind. If that's all you wanted then I'm sure I could oblige you." Oh, my God. I couldn't believe I said that.
"Ooh, 'oblige me.' I like the sound a' that. Look who grew some courage suddenly. I would take ya' up on that, but now I'm interested. Maybe I want to be wined-and-dined before we do anything. Could be kind of fun making ya' work for it."
