Chapter 40

William picked up fast, with some background noise bleeding through—it sounded like he was at a dinner party or something. "You need me?" Maybe it was just Elsie’s imagination, but his voice actually sounded… a bit pleased? "You busy?" she asked. "Not really. Hang on." William waved off someone holding a glass of wine and said a quick, “Excuse me,” before getting up and leaving the table. "Who’s calling you?" He covered the mic and replied, "My wife." "Oho, better take that then," someone joked. "Calling this late—your wife must be missing you big time." Even though it was obviously a suck-up comment, it still made William smile without realizing, lips curving as he walked out of the private room with his phone in hand. The carpet in the hallway was thick, so his leather shoes made no sound. When he reached the far end where no one else was around, he loosened his tie just a bit, long fingers fiddling with the knot. "You're done shooting?" The background noise on his end faded away; hi