"Hell, yeah, I'd like one."
She loved that he sounded indignant at the thought of her not making one for him.
"Sorry, I just wanted to check.I'd hate for you to think I was forcing some kitschy piece of crap on you."
"Hey."He sounded even more indignant."Your work is not kitschy, and it is not crap, and I don't ever want to hear you say that again, okay?"
Warmth bloomed in her chest."Wow, now you're being bossy, and I like it."
"Good, because I'm not going to back down over this one."
She didn't understand why she was smiling like an idiot.Usually, she hated when anyone tried to boss her around in any way, but this felt...different.
"Your work is amazing, Callie.Even someone like me, who doesn't know the first thing about art, can see that it's not just pottery — it's art.I wish I knew how to explain it better, but I think you know what I mean."
She nodded to herself."Yeah, I do.And it's sweet of you to say it."
"It's not sweet, Callie.It's just honest."
"Okay, then thank you.But what about you?How was your day?What did you get up to?"
He chuckled."All right, I'll tell you about my day with Reaves and the dogs, but don't think that you're getting away with changing the subject.I know what you're doing."
"All right, I wasn't trying to hide it from you.Just wanted to move on."
"So, did you guys have fun?"
"Yes, we did."She could hear the smile in his voice."We took the dogs out for a run, and there's a place where they can swim.We had fun there.Peanut and Butter send their regards and want to know when they can see you again.Reaves says hi, too."
"Aww, well, you make a fuss over them for me, okay?Peanut and Butter, that is.Just say hi to Reaves."
Ollie laughed."Okay, will do."
She stared up at the dark skylight, wondering what she should say about when she might see the dogs again.
"And while you're not answering the question," Ollie said, "Reaves talked to Alara again last night.She said she was going to continue on her way today."
Callie sat up a little straighter."Yeah, I stopped by to see them after I dropped you off last night.She told me the same thing.I tried calling at lunchtime to see how they were getting on.Left a voicemail, but she hasn't called me back yet.I figured they were on the road."
"I just hope they get there okay," said Ollie.
"I do, too."
"So, back to the question.Any ideas when we can see you again?"
Of course she wanted to see him.She worried at her bottom lip, wondering if she should suggest they get together this weekend.Just as she was about to, he spoke first.
"I shouldn't be pushing, should I?How about for now, I'll just ask if I can call you again tomorrow."
She smiled."Sure.It's not that I don't want to see you again.I just don't know when yet.What about you?How's your schedule looking?"
"I'm free for the rest of the week.Probably until Tuesday, by the look of it.Reaves and I are going to go up in the Cirrus one day, but other than that, I don't have anything going on.I am at your command.If you want to see me, I'll be there."
"Oh, that's sweet of you.And kind of weird, too."
"Weird?"he asked."Thanks."
She laughed."I mean that in a good way, honest.I think I'm more used to guys who play games and try to make me guess, and I'm not into that."
