Page 4 of Now You See Me
“You never know,” I say. But I do know. I just care about her too much to tell her it’ll never happen.
ChapterTwo
ELISE
As a transcriptionist, focus and accuracy are key. I usually excel in both areas. Not today. I’ve restarted my current project multiple times and have yet to reach the halfway point of the audio. My mind keeps wandering to Roan.
We spent nearly two hours on the phone last night. There were a few moments near the beginning where it got a bit intense. Roan has always been so easygoing in our chats; I didn’t expect him to get growly and protective. But I liked it. A lot. I haven’t had a man care about me in that way since before the accident.
After that, we settled into nonstop conversation. About his coffee shop. My job. Lots of things we had already discussed in our previous chat messages, yet hearing it all in his rich voice made it feel brand new.
Though I’d never wish harm or trauma on anyone, discovering we’re both physically scarred gave me hope I never expected to feel. Knowing Roan and I share the same reason for hiding our appearances has fueled my courage to cross another line. Since I’m clearly not getting through this audio document anytime soon, I might as well take that step now.
I save my work, set my equipment aside, then scroll through the photos saved on my phone. I attach the most recent pre-accident picture I have, taken the day of my accident, at a friend’s wedding. It’s a candid, full-face shot with a beaming smile. I look happy because I was happy. My life was full and I had grand plans to enjoy every minute.
If only I’d taken the next cab that night. Or the one before. I spent a lot of angry, lonely years wondering why fate put me inthattaxi—the one destined for a head-on collision less than three blocks from the banquet hall. What had I done to deserve such an ugly—literally ugly—twist of fate?
Now I know the reason fate plucked me off course. Without the accident and everything that followed, I wouldn’t have met Roan. Despite what my friends think, I know he’s the one. And… I think he knows it, too.
My finger hovers over the Send button. I’ve composed a “hey, no pressure” message in my head to send along with the picture. As true as the sentiment might be, if I send this photo, he’s going to feel pressured. To tell me I’m attractive. To reciprocate with a picture that I know he doesn’t want to send. I could ruin everything.
“Shit.” I remove the image from the message, shut off the phone, then slump over my desk. I thought having an online relationship would be enough. Then I thought talking on the phone would be enough. Wrong on both counts. The more of Roan I get, the more I want.
My phone chimes from its abandoned position to the left of my bowed head. I’m upright in a heartbeat because it’s Roan’s tone. He’s usually too busy with work to message mid-day. My pulse is hammering by the time I unlock the phone and get to our message thread. According to my friends, it’s crazy to be this wrapped up in a relationship with a faceless man. I know they think I’m just lonely and desperate, willing to accept whatever attention I can get. But they don’t know Roan.
ROAN: I haven’t stopped thinking about you since you said goodbye last night.
I clutch my chest and squeal like a lovestruck girl. Totally accurate.
ME: Same. I have eight hours of legal droning to transcribe and I can’t focus on a single word. It’s your fault because I just want to hear your voice in my ear.
One perk of an online-only relationship—it’s easier to be bold.
ROAN: Then call me.
ME: Now? Aren’t you working at the coffee shop?
ROAN: Yes, now. I got sent home because distracted me kept messing up the orders.
I laugh out loud while rising from my desk chair.
ME: How can you get sent home when you own the business?
ROAN: My full-time employee is a force to be reckoned with. She told me to go, so I went.
It’s not the first time he’s mentioned his female employee. As it has before, jealousy sours my stomach and clouds my head with doubts.
ROAN: Why isn’t my phone ringing yet?
The knot in my chest loosens, and I tap the Call button.
He answers on the first ring. “Finally.”
“You say that as if I kept you waiting for eternity,” I say, laughing as I get comfortable on my bed.
“It feels that way.”
Just like that, the doubts and jealousy dissolve. “For me, too.”
