Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 248(@300wpm)
“You really want me to come and see you?”
“Yes.” No hesitation.
“I do miss you. I miss your hugs.”
“Then come to California and get one. I promise to smother you in hugs while you’re here to tide you over.”
“You drive a hard bargain.” I bite down on my bottom lip while I process what he’s asking. I would love to go see him. I’ve never been to California, so that would be a new experience as well, but the biggest appeal is Chad and his hugs.
“Only for things I really want.”
“You promise lots of hugs?”
“Unlimited,” he says, hearing the excitement building in his voice.
“I can buy my ticket and room.”
“No. I asked you to come to me, and I’m paying. Let me do this, Faith.”
“Okay.” My voice is soft.
“Really?”
“Really. If you’re sure.”
“Fuck yes, I’m sure. When? When can you be here?”
“I’ve got nothing holding me back. You tell me when to be there, and that’s what I’ll do.”
“How long? How long can you stay?”
“How long do you want me to stay?”
“All summer?” he asks, hopefully.
“That’s going to be an expensive hotel stay.”
“Damn,” he mutters. “I wish you could stay on base with me.”
“It’s fine.”
“I need at least a week. Seven days.”
“Okay.”
“Wait, two weeks. Yeah, two weeks.”
I laugh. “Why don’t you check on the prices of hotel stays and flights and then we can decide. Even if it’s one night, it will be worth it to get to see you.”
“Oh, hell no. It’s going to be longer than one night.”
“Okay. Just let me know when you get it all figured out.”
“You’re really doing it? You’re coming to California? You’re coming to me?”
“I am.”
“Fuck. I miss the hell out of you.”
“I miss you too.”
“Okay, I’m hanging up now. I’m going to find a room and a flight. I’ll have it all worked out within the hour.”
“It doesn’t have to be tonight.” I smile, even though he can’t see me. It makes my heart happy that he’s so excited for me to come and visit.
“Yes, it does. I’m not giving you the chance to change your mind. The ticket will be nonrefundable. You have to come to see me.”
I can picture the big grin on his face.
“I won’t change my mind.”
“Good. I’m going to go. I’ll call you back in a few.”
“Okay.”
“Stay by your phone.”
“I’ll keep it on me,” I assure him.
“Fuck yes,” he says as the line goes dead. I can’t help the giggle that escapes just as there’s a knock at my bedroom door.
“Come in,” I call out.
Shayne sticks her head in the door. “Hey, we’re going to watch a movie. You want to join us?”
“Uh, no, thanks, though. I’m waiting on a call from Chad. He’s advised me that I better answer.”
“I thought I heard you talking.”
“You did.”
“And?”
“And he asked me to come to California to see him.”
Her eyes light up. “And you said yes, right?”
“I did. I’ve been telling him how stressed I am about this whole job search situation, and he thinks getting away for a few days and clearing my head will help.”
“Does he now?” She grins.
“We’re just friends.”
“Does your heart know that?” my best friend counters.
“I think so.” I look down at my phone that’s gripped tightly in my hands.
“When do you leave?” she asks.
I’m grateful she let it go. “I’m not sure. He’s arranging it all. He’s supposed to call me back.”
“We can pause the movie when he calls,” she offers.
“You don’t have to do that. I’m going to wait for his call and go to bed. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“All right, well, if you change your mind, you know where we’ll be. Oh, and let me know when you need a ride to the airport.” She winks and closes my bedroom door.
I think about her question about if my heart knows, and it does. It’s all we are and can be right now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish for more. It was a mutual decision for us to see where the future takes us and if it would bring us together as more than friends who kiss, hug, and talk to each other multiple times a day.
My heart knows we’re friends.
My heart also knows that we love Chad Anthony.
CHAPTER
THREE
Chad
Landed.
The screen on the wall just changed, which means she’s here.
I head toward the baggage claim area, where I told her I’d meet her when she arrived. It’s been a long week, despite the fact I’ve been learning my new job with my new team. Each day has crawled along until it was finally Friday.
When I called her back the other night with details on flights and the hotel, she didn’t hesitate. The flight was booked, and the room reserved, both on my credit card, despite her insisting she would cover it.
It was my invitation. I was paying.
Turns out, a small hotel not far from where I work offers a package rate for families of servicemen and women, which was at a decent discount. It’s an inn used frequently by visitors and offers the basic necessities for their guests, including a continental breakfast. I was able to secure her a king-size room, and I’ll be honest, I’m hoping I’ll be able to join her a few times in that bed. But if not, that’s okay too. I’m not going to push it. Just having her here for two weeks is enough.