I opened the thread with Christian and looked through the countless photos he had sent me of the woods surrounding his place, and the little lake beyond.
With a smile, I ran the tip of my nail over the water then grabbed my sketchpad and took a picture of what I was drawing.
I sent it to him, smiling as I texted.
I’m not sure it’s the same, but I had to send a picture.
“Get yourself up,” I told myself, glancing around. Slowly, I started to frown, wondering if it would be utterly insane to pack everything up, shove it in a storage unit, and call into work, saying I quit. Then take a long road trip to a cabin that’s nine hours away.
My phone vibrated in my hand and I jumped, glad to see who was calling me.
“Hey handsome, what are you doing?”
“I’m on my way back to the cabin, thought I’d call you rather than text. I like the picture. I’m not sure you could capture it any better if you were here.”
I twisted my lip, the praise making me blush, although he had been telling me how awesome I was since he saw everything three days ago.
“I doubt that,” I mumbled, making him laugh.
“I really don’t think so. Really, when you come up, you’ll see for yourself.”
I twisted my shirt for a second before standing up and making my way into my kitchen. I had lived in this same place for three years, but one wouldn’t guess it had been that long for the little items I had.
Sure, I had the couch, a tv, but really no pictures, and only a few plates, cups, and one pan. Even my bedroom was pretty empty. It’s as if some part of me knew I wouldn’t be here for long.
“You still there?”
“Sorry, just thinking,” I told him, and it was true. Because if he was serious, if he wanted me there, I could pack up everything right now and be on the road in just a little bit.
“About what?”
I heard him throw his flasher on and pictured him with his hand on the steering wheel, controlling it with his wrist while he talked to me.
“It was a really bad day at work today. I just want to leave and focus on my art, but that’s impossible. I haven’t made enough off of that yet. I really don’t want to go back there tomorrow. In fact, I stormed into my place, and I’ve been sitting on the floor. Which is why I texted. I needed to get over this day.”
“Well, I’m glad I called. Hopefully my voice is making you feel better.”
“Like you wouldn’t believe. In fact, it might just be the first time I smiled all day.”
“Now that’s a shame when you have such a beautiful smile.”
I blushed once more at that, never hearing that before.
“Hold on Janelle, I’m going to call you right back.”
“Sure.”
We hung up the call and thirty seconds later, I got an alert for a video call. I pushed my hair down and accepted, smiling at him as he appeared on the screen.
“Damn, you’re beautiful,” he told me, making me blush yet again. “Question?”
“Yes?”
“Does that blush go everywhere?”
“Uh, maybe?” I answered, feeling my face flame up yet again.
“Maybe you really should come here just so I can see.”
