Page 231 of Romeo

Jasper: Yeah, Cher. I do.

Something warm settled beneath my ribs.

I looked at the words until the screen dimmed, then touched it again.

Me: So, this hypothetical Nebraska house...

Jasper: Our imaginary architect is back.

Me: Does it have enough room for all my books?

Jasper: Every damn one.

Me: You don’t know how many I have.

Jasper: I own a landscaping company. I can build another room.

Me: That’s not how landscaping works

Jasper: Details.

Me: And the porch?

Jasper: Two of them. You were very demanding about that.

Me: Just checking.

Jasper: Anything else, Ma Belle?

I hesitated.

There were a hundred answers I could’ve given him. Most of them felt too large to put into words.

So I chose one that wasn’t.

Me: A porch light.

His response took longer this time.

Jasper: Porch light?

Me: Granny always leaves it on when she knows I’m coming home late.

I glanced toward the front window. The light still glowed outside, illuminating the steps and the walkway even though I hadn’t left the house all evening.

Me: I like knowing someone expects me back.

Jasper: Then the porch light always stays on.

My throat tightened.

No joke followed it. No teasing about electricity bills or me being spoiled.

Just that.

I rubbed my thumb slowly along the edge of my phone.

Me: Good.