“I'd love to come keep you warm.”
“I’d love to have you here keeping me warm.”
“How's school?”
“Okay, you just got me out of the king of all boring lectures.”
“I called in the middle of class? I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’d much rather be listening to you right now.”
“Are you going to get into trouble with your professor?”
“Not if I bring a signed note from my mother.” I laugh. “It's college; you don’t really get into trouble like that. He might not be happy with me for ducking out, but I can deal with that. I would deal with a lot more than that to hear your voice.”
“Hey, I was going to send you flowers or at least a card, but it didn’t work out. I’m sorry.”
Images of the dozen white roses sitting on my dresser and the card smashed into the bottom of the trash can flash through my mind. I can't tell Jacob about either. “Don’t be. A call is the best thing you could ever give me. Besides, you’ve already given me more than enough. Did I mention I love the earrings? I’m never taking them off.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for the long letter and all the pictures. I definitely have the best-looking girlfriend of any guy here.”
I don't miss the wordgirlfriend.I'm sure it's the first time he's said it,but I try to keep it casual. "Yeah, right."
"Seriously, we lined everyone's pictures up and took a vote. You won."
For a second I wonder if he's telling the truth, but I catch the teasing in his voice. “You’re such a dork.”
“Yes, but I’m your dork.”
My heart swells. “I love to hear you say that.”
“That I’m a dork?”
“No, that you’re mine.”
“I am. Slave for life if you’ll take me.”
I try to sound coy. “You might regret saying that. I might just take you up on that.”
“You can absolutely take me up on that."
I press the phone closer to my ear, savoring the implied commitment behind his words, even if we're joking around. It's everything I've ever wanted. He's everything I've ever wanted. If only he weren't so far away.
His voice gets more serious. "Hey, Bryan wanted me to thank you for watching Connor for Becky. She really appreciated it. She loves you.”
“I really like her too. We email back and forth a lot. She’s kind of becoming a big sister to me.”
“I’m glad. Becky needs all the support she can get. I guess the baby will be here soon.”
“Three weeks, and she’s so ready for it to happen. Two boys, though, that will be a handful, especially if this one is anything like Connor.”
“Bryan is dying that he can’t be there.”
“I can’t imagine having a baby without a husband there. Actually, I guess I can’t imagine having a baby at all right now.” I stop myself. This is a really awkward conversation to be having with Jacob.
We’re both quiet for a minute. Finally, Jacob says. “I miss you all the time. I can’t believe it’s only been four months.”
“Please don’t mention that. Time is going by so slowly.”
