Page 2 of Strange Seduction
“You’re welcome,” she said quietly.
“I am sorry, Carmen.”
“It’s okay. Honest.”
I let out a breath, then tried to reroute us into safer territory.
“How’s graduation coming along?”
She exhaled dramatically, either thankful for the switch in topics or relieved that I had stopped mentally kicking myself over the slip-up.
“One more week and I’m out of here,” she grinned.
“God, I wish I could come.” I ran my hand down my face in frustration. “I tried everything. But these rich assholes are breathing down my neck about this new project. If I leave now, they’ll pull out.”
She tilted her head and gave me an understanding look.
“You’ve apologized a thousand times.”
“I know, but still. I hate missing your moment. I really wish I could see you like we planned,” I groaned.
At this point, I was just complaining out loud. Again.
I was tired of it.
Three years of this long-distance bullshit and barely seeing each other, barely having a whole week together.
It was killing me.
The last time we were together was when I flew to California for a weekend. It was a miracle our schedules even aligned for two days, but fuck, was it a good weekend.
That was more than a year ago though, and this was the longest we’d been separated since Eden. To be honest, we were both feeling the anxiousness of being so far apart for so long, and we hoped to reunite. But it just felt like another obstacle in our way. We’ve been getting a lot of those lately.
“Well…” she dragged.
I squinted at the screen. “Well, what?”
The understanding look turned into an amused one.
“I talked to the Dean,” she said, a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. “If I finish all the paperwork and agree to have my diploma shipped, I don’t have to walk at graduation.”
“Wait—What? Why would you not walk at your graduation, Sweetness?”
“If I skip the ceremony,” she went on, “I’ll have more time to move my stuff to New York. And if I rush that, I’ll have a solid two weeks before I’m expected to start at Mr. Dazai’s law firm.”
She paused.
“Two weeks I could spend in Italy. With you.”
My heart stopped. “Baby.”
“I already booked the ticket,” she said, grinning. “Surprise! Happy birthday!”
I wish I could pull her through the screen.
“Fuck, Carmen.” I grabbed my chest, and the ache was replaced. “You’re too good for me.”
She smiled wider. “I know.”
