THE PSO (Phone Sex Operator)

A Chance & A Chase

“I’ll give you one more chance,” I say the second Nate answers the phone. “You were right, we do have something here and...I’m willing to give it a shot, but only if you’re completely honest with me from here on out.”

“I will be,” Nate responds, voice firm. “I won’t mess this up again, baby. Let me make it up to you. Take you out on a date, answer any questions you have. I’ll let you take the lead, yeah? This is all on your terms.”

A date? My insides flutter. “I’d like that,” I agree, tone softening. “How about the carvery?”

“Perfect. What days best for you?”

“Friday,” I tell him, laying back against my pillows. “Say seven in the evening?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” The way he says it has me believing him. “How...how have you been?” he asks hesitantly.

I blow out a breath. “Not great. Heads all...messy. Officer Daisy hasn’t got any leads on who broke in, we’re redecorating the living room this hideous yellow colour because, well, Zach. And I keep waking up in the middle of the night convinced someone is in the house.”

“It’ll be like that for a little while,” Nate tells me gently. “But you’ll start to feel safe again. Might be worth buying some extra locks, just so you feel more secure. Or an alarm system. I...I took on night shifts these last two days, just so I could drive past your house and make sure no one was lurking about. I’ll do that every day if I have to, just so you feel safe again.”

I melt, my heart exploding in my chest and I wonder how it will ever be possible to stay angry at this man

“Nate...thank you,” I choke out. Fuck I was getting emotional. Clearing my throat, I tell him, “I really hope we can work things out. I...I like you. A lot.”

“We will.” It sounded like a promise. “And pretty sure you already know but I’ll say it again... I really like you too.”

 Maybe...this’ll turn out just fine.

--

The week drags on. Friday night comes slower than I’d hoped.

Zach helped me get ready. My eyes covered in smoky make up, my cheek bones highlighted and topped off with rosy blusher. My lips shined with gloss. I wore a red strap dress with a slit by the thigh. The material hugged my figure. Body tape kept the plunge neckline in place, so I wouldn’t end up flashing anyone. My red heels made me appear taller than my five-foot-five.

I felt amazing. Zach also thought so with the compliments he kept dropping me before I left the house. I didn’t usually have a lot of confidence but tonight I felt like a super model. Like the world was mine to conquer, or more like Nate was.

Even if this all went to shit…at least he’d know exactly what he missed out on.

I leave home in a cab. I didn’t want Zach waiting up for me and I wanted to drink tonight. If all went well…maybe we’d end up back at Nate’s place. I didn’t write it off as a possibility, which is why I accepted the condom Zach handed me. Just in case.
  
I arrive and the waiter shows me to our table. Nate isn’t here yet, but I did show up early.  I order myself a strawberry vodka and drop him a text.

Five minutes pass and I scroll through my phone, opening random apps and pretending that I’m not watching the time.

Another five minutes go by. Nate should be here any moment now.

…Ten minutes later and he’s still a no show, he’s also officially late. I send him another text, asking if he was okay since he still hadn’t replied to my last one. The waiter tops up my drink.