dreammetheworld:

The operator broke the silence. “I’ve got that call for you, Miss O’Neill.”

Sam’s voice crackled over the line. “Well, if it isn’t the future Mrs. Lloyd,” he said, and Evie could imagine him smirking on the other end.

“Daaarling,” Evie trilled, running a finger over the gleaming edge of Mr. Phillips’s lacquered desk. “I’ve missed you.”

There was a brief pause on the other end, then: “Uh-oh.”

–

“Laying it on a little thick, aren’t you, pal?”

Sam shrugged. “I heard we were in a romance. Thought I’d play along. But if you’d rather not, I’ll call the papers right now and explain the truth. Excuse me.”

Before he could get up, Evie yanked him back down into his seat. “You’ll do no such thing, Sam Lloyd. You got us into this mess. Now we’re stuck.”

Sam had to hide his smile. She’d just lost the poker game. “Is that so?”