"What for?" Clara Grant was instantly wary. "I’m busy."
’He’s not calling back because he wants to seduce again, is he? Especially after that crass thing he said just now.’
Seeing her refuse him so directly, Seth Quinn was at a loss for words. He glanced down at the red brocade box he was fiddling with and continued, "It’s nothing. Linden’s girlfriend is celebrating her birthday, and she specifically asked to call you for her."
Clara froze for a second before it clicked. "Poppy?"
"Mhm."
"Oh, why didn’t she call herself?" ’He’s the one calling ... Does that an they all know about my relationship with Seth Quinn?’
"She doesn’t have your number." Seth Quinn’s voice was level, betraying no emotion.
"How is that possible? We exchanged numbers."
"She accidentally lost a bunch of numbers. Yours included."
"Oh, I see..." Clara was still on the fence about going.
"So, are you coming or not? I have to get back to her." Seth Quinn paused, then added, as if worried she’d refuse, "She did ask to tell you sothing, though. She said she’ll be really hurt if you don’t co."
"...Alright." ’Even though I’ve only t Poppy Vance once, I really like her. And I can tell she’s being genuine with . I’d feel bad if I didn’t go to her birthday.’
"Alright, I’ll have Chase Childs pick you up tomorrow morning." Hearing her agree, Seth Quinn’s voice sounded a bit more relaxed.
He didn’t seem ready to hang up after that, casting around for another topic. "What scene were you two rehearsing earlier?"
"We were going over my big scene—the one where I get shot and die." The mont the conversation turned to acting, Clara relaxed and sounded much more natural.
"Nervous?" Seth Quinn continued the casual chat. "Don’t be. With your skills, you’ll nail it in one take."
Though his voice was level and he didn’t seem to be deliberately comforting or encouraging her, Clara’s heart still skipped a beat.
’He told not to be nervous. He said that with my skills, I’d nail it in one take!’
’He’s validating my acting skills.’
Suddenly, Clara thought, ’It feels so good to be validated!’
"I’m not nervous," Clara said, shifting slightly.
"That’s good."
"Mhm."
After Clara’s reply, silence fell between them.
Neither of them spoke. The line was so quiet they could clearly hear each other breathing.
Holding her phone and listening to the soft sound of his breathing, Clara felt a strange, wonderful sensation she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
After two minutes of this silence, Clara started to feel awkward. She wanted to say she needed to sleep, but she couldn’t bring herself to open her mouth. It was as if she was... reluctant.
’Reluctant?’ The thought stunned Clara. ’Am I actually reluctant to let Seth Quinn hang up?’
’Isn’t that sothing that happens between couples in the honeymoon phase? Seth Quinn and I are not that. So why can’t I bring myself to end the call?’
Clara’s thoughts descended into chaos. Flustered, she blurted into the phone, "I have to go to sleep now. Bye."
Before Seth Quinn could even react, she hung up.
Seth Quinn had just been savoring the silent, yet inexplicably warm, atmosphere between them when she suddenly hung up. He stared at his phone, shaking his head with a wry smile. ’This woman... she’s a real pro at killing the mood.’
He had just put his phone down when he suddenly rembered sothing. He picked it right back up and dialed another number.
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