“Phee?” It was Bryant’s voice. It was actually Bryant’s voice. He’d really called her. She’d expected another call from the cable company trying to get her to upgrade, or a drunk dial from Regan on some new guy’s phone, but Bryant? Her mind couldn’t even wrap around it as she debated hanging up. “Um, hello? Is this Phee?”

“Uh, yeah. It’s me.” Phee took a breath, feeling confused and way too tipsy to be talking to the rich boy who’d toyed with her at lunch.

“Well, it’s encouraging to know you gave me your real number.” His rumbling laugh over the phone shook the ground beneath her, transported back to that beach in her mind where she could almost see him grinning from the waves.

“And… you called me.” Rolling her eyes, she couldn’t believe how stupid she sounded. It would be easy to blame the alcohol, or sheer shock, but it was Bryant throwing her off. Men from downtown weren’t actually supposed to call. That only happened in fairy tales, and she’d sworn those off… hadn’t she?

“I did.” The laugh made his voice an amused rumble, and it did funny things to her stomach. Like he’d released butterflies that only grew more frantic as he continued. “I guess that means I rose to your challenge. Are you going to rise to mine?” His voice was deliciously taunting. She could imagine that cocky smile curving the edges of his mouth, his chestnut hair skirting across his forehead as he pinned her with those turquoise eyes.

“And what challenge is that, Bryant?” Phee smiled, still anxious as she leaned back on the couch and took a drink of the whiskey for courage.

“The one where I asked you to dinner, and you pointedly didn’t give me an answer.” Bryant had a growling, playful edge that sent a warm shiver through her, tempting her to reply in kind.

“Ah, that challenge. I guess I haven’t answered you, have I?” Phee laughed to herself when she heard him groan over the line, feeling truly good for the first time all evening.

“No, you haven’t. Which only makes you more interesting.”

“How’s that?”

“Let’s just say I’ve never had to plead with someone to go on a date before.” Bryant’s voice was getting lower and it made her sit up straight. He was hot. That was an undeniable fact. Seeing him for a just a moment had made her imagine him naked, walking out of the ocean, glistening and wet. She wasn’t immune to his looks, or his playful, cocky charms, but she wasn’t falling for the fairytale. If he was serious, he was going to have to work for it. Incredible eyes or not.

“You don’t sound like you’re pleading, Bryant.” Phee grinned and Bryant burst into laughter on the other end of the phone.

“Oh, Phee, I don’t plead with anyone, but I’d definitely like to hear what you sound like when you beg.”