"It's still too long for me.I'd come get you tomorrow if we didn't have this damn meeting."
"No, it's okay.I mean, sure, I want to see you, but if I drive myself down there, I can stop to see Charles on the way, hang out with him, Alara, and Zia while I'm delivering the glazes, and still be able to meet you at your place by the time you get off work."
"Yeah, I know it makes sense.I just wish we didn't have to wait.But that's the way it goes, since we're both working."
"I've been thinking about that," she said slowly.
"About what?"
"That I could come down there more often.You're tied there because work's there.I could..."
"You could, and I'd love it.But I could come to you more, too, in between.I know you love your cottage.I don't want to drag you away from it."
Butter woofed beside him.
"Aw, are the dogs with you?"
"They are."
"Say hi to them for me."
"I will.And you know what?I bet they'd love it at your place.We could take them for a run on the beach, and they'd love to run around in your yard in the trees, too."
"Oh, wow, that would be awesome," she agreed."We'll have to get them up here.I'd love that."
"We will.We'll figure it all out.For now, most important is that we get to see each other again tomorrow.How was today?What did you get up to?"
She laughed."Will you tell Peanut and Butter that they get to be product testers for me?I made them new water bowls.I think they're going to be great.And if they like them, I might add them as a new product line — see how they sell."
"That's a great idea."He petted the dogs, loving that Callie thought of them so often and seemed to love them.
"Oh, and I missed your call because I was talking to my mom."
"That's good.How are they?"
"Yeah, they're all great.And I told her, Ollie.I finally came clean that there never was a job here."
"I'm proud of you, Callie."
"Oh, thank you.But you know what?Apparently, they knew all along.The girl who took over my job at the bank went and told them that I didn't get the transfer."
"And they never said anything?"
"Nope.Apparently, they wanted to give me time to come clean myself."
He had to chuckle."So that really is the last of the secrets behind us, then."
"Yep.And it turns out it never needed to be one anyway.My folks were just too good at keeping a secret of their own."She paused."I told her about you as well.Even who you are."
He tensed a little."And what did she have to say about that?"
Callie laughed."She didn't care.She just wants to know that you treat me right.Oh, and she wants us to do a video call at some point, when you're ready.My mom will be sweet.My dad will give you a hard time to start with, just because he feels like he needs to.And my brothers will no doubt have a million questions.But only if you want to."
"I'd love to.From what you've told me, your family sounds awesome."
She laughed."I don't know that I'd go that far."
He hesitated, but he had to say it."I think this is one of those times when I’m the one who gets to say — don't take it for granted."
