“Ellie and Paul from this floor. Do you know them?”
I can hear his smile. “I know them. They’re wonderful people.”
“They really like you. They talked about you a lot.”
He sighs. “They’re one of the biggest perks of living in this condo. Such wonderful people. I think they’ve adopted me.”
“I think so too,” I say, grinning. “They also seem to know everyone. I’ve been warned away from Sally on Ten. They thinkshe’s a drug dealer. She has people of all genders, class, and walks of life come into her home at all hours of the day.”
Julian laughs. “Sally is a sex worker, something I haven’t tried to explain to them.”
“Oh.” Okay, I wasn’t expecting that.
“Yep. She has an escort service and from what I understand, she’s very popular among a certain upper middle-class crowd.”
“That’s… cool.”
He laughs again. “She’s a good egg. I’ll introduce you to her sometime.”
“Okay. They also told me they think the roommates on four—Tobias and James—are secretly together, though they insist that they’re just roommates. I met them when I checked out the gym and I don’t know. I can see it both ways. What do you think? Do you know them?”
“You’re being drawn into the condo gossip, Arush,” Julian says, amused.
“I am,” I admit. “We walked their cat Mittens for half an hour and they told me so many stories about the people in this building. I didn’t know you had such colorful neighbors.”
“I sometimes shudder to think about the gossip Ellie shares about me,” Julian says.
“I don’t think she has anything bad to say about you. She thinks you’re the greatest person ever.”
He sighs.
“So… what have you been doing?” I ask. “Are you having fun with your Arizona friends?” I wander into Julian’s room and lie back on the bed to stare at the ceiling as we talk.
“I am. It’s been really nice to spend time with them again. I miss their presence in my life.”
I understand that. Even though he can’t see me, I nod.
“It’s nice that we seem to pick up right where we left off, as if I hadn’t moved away.”
“Those are the best kinds of friendships.”
“Have you been keeping in touch with your friends?”
“Yes. I talk to them most days.”
“Good. I’ve realized how important friends are now that I live so far away from mine.”
I can feel that in my soul.
Quiet settles over us and I think he’ll probably get off the phone before it turns awkward. This is the first time we’ve talked on the phone. We usually text. It’s good to hear his voice, though.
I close my eyes and listen to him breathe.
“I’m looking forward to coming home to you,” Julian says, and my heart nearly stops.
“Me too,” I answer.I miss you.
CHAPTER 13
