graduation is next Thursday morning, which leads into Labor Day weekend. Bryce is flying back with me to spend the long weekend. Predictably, Nate was also assigned to Norfolk, which thrilled me. After their graduation, they have ten days until they have to report to base, so Bryce will fly to Nashville from here and drive his truck up to the base. Then, we will be less than three hours away from each other, finally.
“My flight gets in Wednesday night, within an hour of our parents. The hotel reservations are taken care of. I made sure we’re on a different floor. Our flight back is at two on Friday. Then, I reserved you a flight home on the following Wednesday afternoon.”
“Did you have any trouble with my credit card?”
“None. I did everything online.”
“When I get settled in Norfolk, I’ll open an account with the Navy Credit Union. You’ll be on it, so there should never be any questions.”
I smile at him again.
“You like that?” he jokes.
“It sounds stupid, but I feel warm and fuzzy when we talk about this stuff.”
He chuckles lightly. “So easy to please.”
“Only with you.”
The heat in his gaze returns. “Stop.”
I throw a hand up in defeat. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Your eyes went warm, your face started to glow, and your voice got soft. Maybe the Facetime wasn’t a good idea. It was easier not being able to see you.”
“No way! This is great.”
He smirks and shakes his head. “You have no idea how much I miss you.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m in the same boat. But we only have one week to wait.”
“Did I tell you I’m on the field for the football game?”
“How’d you do that?”
“Have my ways.” He shrugs with a smug grin.
“Are you still jealous of my cheer partner?”
“The way I figure it, we need to meet.”
“Please don’t scare the poor boy away. He’s sweet.”
“No room for misunderstanding if he meets me then.”
“Ugh. You are insane.”
“We’ve had this conversation. Insane about you.”
There’s a loud banging behind him, and a door swings open. Nate walks up and puts his face on the screen.
“Hey, sis.”
“Nate!”
“How ya doing?”
“Let’s see. Since we actually spoke last, my Theories class has the potential to kick my ass, Quinn’s current academic mission is to push the envelope as far as she can, and Bryce is still insanely jealous. What’s up with you?”
Bryce sighs loudly when Nate takes over the conversation. We chat for a few minutes about his plans while he’s at home for leave. Nothing he’s telling me is really important, but it’s obvious he’s trying to aggravate Bryce. Quinn hears us and busts through my door to join in.
“What the hell is happening?” Bryce finally blows up. “I haven’t seen my fiancée in eleven weeks. How did this turn into a fucking group convo?”
“I see you’re still as pussy-whipped as ever,” Quinn goads him.
The scowl on his face sends me into a fit of giggles. She joins in until his expression changes. “You wait, Quinn. Remember, I’ll be there for five nights next week. Payback is hell.”
“If you even think you’re going to spout all that love sick, ooey-gooey shit around here the entire time, I will throw up on you. I’ll give you a day, two tops, but then you better act like a civilized man as compared to a love-struck boy.”
“Shut it! I really don’t need visuals.” My brother’s mood changes instantly. “You all forget, this is still my little sister.”
The banter continues until the guys have to hang up. I discreetly blow Bryce a kiss, and he winks, mouthing, ‘ I love you’ .
My stomach flutters with excitement for the rest of the night. It’s almost time for me to start counting the hours.
*****
No way , I think as I read through my email again. Is this for real???
Professor Grant sent me an email, informing me that the University Newspaper has chosen one of my papers for an October publication. They’re
“My flight gets in Wednesday night, within an hour of our parents. The hotel reservations are taken care of. I made sure we’re on a different floor. Our flight back is at two on Friday. Then, I reserved you a flight home on the following Wednesday afternoon.”
“Did you have any trouble with my credit card?”
“None. I did everything online.”
“When I get settled in Norfolk, I’ll open an account with the Navy Credit Union. You’ll be on it, so there should never be any questions.”
I smile at him again.
“You like that?” he jokes.
“It sounds stupid, but I feel warm and fuzzy when we talk about this stuff.”
He chuckles lightly. “So easy to please.”
“Only with you.”
The heat in his gaze returns. “Stop.”
I throw a hand up in defeat. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Your eyes went warm, your face started to glow, and your voice got soft. Maybe the Facetime wasn’t a good idea. It was easier not being able to see you.”
“No way! This is great.”
He smirks and shakes his head. “You have no idea how much I miss you.”
“I’m pretty sure I’m in the same boat. But we only have one week to wait.”
“Did I tell you I’m on the field for the football game?”
“How’d you do that?”
“Have my ways.” He shrugs with a smug grin.
“Are you still jealous of my cheer partner?”
“The way I figure it, we need to meet.”
“Please don’t scare the poor boy away. He’s sweet.”
“No room for misunderstanding if he meets me then.”
“Ugh. You are insane.”
“We’ve had this conversation. Insane about you.”
There’s a loud banging behind him, and a door swings open. Nate walks up and puts his face on the screen.
“Hey, sis.”
“Nate!”
“How ya doing?”
“Let’s see. Since we actually spoke last, my Theories class has the potential to kick my ass, Quinn’s current academic mission is to push the envelope as far as she can, and Bryce is still insanely jealous. What’s up with you?”
Bryce sighs loudly when Nate takes over the conversation. We chat for a few minutes about his plans while he’s at home for leave. Nothing he’s telling me is really important, but it’s obvious he’s trying to aggravate Bryce. Quinn hears us and busts through my door to join in.
“What the hell is happening?” Bryce finally blows up. “I haven’t seen my fiancée in eleven weeks. How did this turn into a fucking group convo?”
“I see you’re still as pussy-whipped as ever,” Quinn goads him.
The scowl on his face sends me into a fit of giggles. She joins in until his expression changes. “You wait, Quinn. Remember, I’ll be there for five nights next week. Payback is hell.”
“If you even think you’re going to spout all that love sick, ooey-gooey shit around here the entire time, I will throw up on you. I’ll give you a day, two tops, but then you better act like a civilized man as compared to a love-struck boy.”
“Shut it! I really don’t need visuals.” My brother’s mood changes instantly. “You all forget, this is still my little sister.”
The banter continues until the guys have to hang up. I discreetly blow Bryce a kiss, and he winks, mouthing, ‘ I love you’ .
My stomach flutters with excitement for the rest of the night. It’s almost time for me to start counting the hours.
*****
No way , I think as I read through my email again. Is this for real???
Professor Grant sent me an email, informing me that the University Newspaper has chosen one of my papers for an October publication. They’re
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