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“Never got around to actually watching it?”

“Life got busy,” she replied. “It got stressful, too, and when I’m stressed…”

“What?” I asked when she trailed off slightly.

“Nothing.”

“Come on,” I encouraged. “Tell me.”

“I tend to watch animated movies to relieve my stress,” Megan admitted. “Disney and Pixar got me through some hard days.”

I smiled.

“You think I’m weird, don’t you?”

I laughed. “On the contrary, I find that…endearing.”

“You’re just saying that.”

“I assure you, I’m not,” I said. “I’ve never really watched animated films, to be honest.”

“Not even growing up?”

“No, but there has to be a reason they’re so damn popular.”

“Because they’re inspirational and transformative.”

“Wow,” I laughed. “That’s quite the recommendation.”

“I have to add a few more movie titles to the list I’m going to introduce you to,” Megan said.

“Feel free,” I smiled.

We ended up talking for almost two hours. Every time I glanced at the clock, another fifteen minutes had passed, and I couldn’t quite believe it. She was extraordinarily easy to talk to, and I felt myself relax the more we spoke. We could have kept talking for another two hours, but when eleven o’clock drew to a close, I knew I needed to get some sleep, or I’d be useless tomorrow for work.

“I’m sorry, Megan,” I told her. “I really hate to say goodnight, but I have an early shift tomorrow.”

“Of course,” she agreed. “I should have realized… I’m sorry to have kept you up.”

“Please don’t apologize, I had a blast.”

I don’t know how I knew it, but I knew she was smiling on the other line. “Can I call you again in a few days?” I asked.

“Call me anytime you want,” Megan replied. “Goodnight, Phil.”

“Goodnight, Megan.”

I hung up and stared at my ceiling for a long time, wondering how on earth I was going to be able to sleep when I felt so wired. I could feel excitement coursing through my veins, and it amazed me that a conversation with a girl could have that effect on me.

Forty minutes later, when I finally managed to calm down enough to go to sleep, dreams filled my consciousness like back-to-back movies. And, all of them featured Megan.

Chapter Four

Megan

“Hi, honey,” Marta said, popping her head up over my cubicle. “Want a chicken sandwich? I made them only this morning.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Marta,” I said. “But I’m good.”