Her number

He fought off his darkest impulses. He wouldn’t stoop so low, would he? He smiled at her, “I don’t need anything in repayment, just happy to do some good for a change. Maybe if you were so inclined though…could I have your number? Maybe once you are settled we could go for dinner sometime?”

She frowned, “Look…you seem really nice and all, but no thanks. Maybe you should go.”

Will felt sick, had he really misread things so badly? She seemed totally turned off by him now. He started to make his way out of the apartment but then turned to face her again. He didn’t really mean to use the ‘magic’ word, it just came out, “Sorry. I wish we could still be friends.” Fuck, why did he say wish?

Hearing that she perked back up again, “Oh I’d love to be friends. Sorry about before, I just didn’t want to give you the wrong idea. Since we’re friends now I definitely have to give you my number. Here give me your phone,” She held out her hand. Slowly he pulled out his phone and handed it to her. She added herself as a contact and then handed it back, “There. Now it’s official. We’re friends. Now I really should let you go and start cleaning this place up. Maybe we can hang out later this week?”

Dumbfounded by her personality change he nodded, “Um. Ya. That’d be great.” He stepped into the hallway and turned to wave goodbye.

“Bye! Text me!” Sally waved as she shut the door. He stood there a moment to collect his thoughts. It was someone else's turn again, and obviously he didn’t have any say or approval over the wish. Based on his own error, he wondered if people were more likely to wish when near the ring. If that’s the case he’d have to be careful. No telling who he runs into on his way home. He was tempted to knock on Sally’s door and ask her for a wish, she was his friend after all, but decided that would be too much. He’d go home and hopefully avoid granting any wishes on his way. He left Sally’s building and headed home, trying to take side streets to avoid the busiest areas.