Page 14 of Forever Yours on Christmas Eve
In a way, he wanted that for her. To move on. To be happy.
Even if it made his heart squeeze painfully in his chest.
Still, he couldn’t have her number and not take a chance.
Hey, Kelsey, it’s Sev. Just got cell phone service for the first time since I left.
He stalled. Now what?Hope this finds you well?No, that’s what you’dsend in an email to a coworker.
Hope you haven’t found anyone?Yeah, that sounded selfish, even if it was true.
Hope you haven’t forgotten about me.Again, accurate, but desperate sounding.
In the end, he went for upbeat.
Hope you’re doing great.
He was shocked when she responded instantly, just as bubbly and full of life as ever.
It’s so great to hear from you! It’s been a busy semester, and I’m already looking forward to the summer. How have you been?
I’m well. Enjoying a change of scenery and a comfier rack tonight. Hopefully. School already ruining your love of learning?
I decided to change my course of study, and I’m now double-majoring in psychology and art. I decided to pursue art therapy.
A surge of pride for her welled up in Sev’s chest as he rapidly tapped at his phone.
I’m so proud of you! Look at you, following your dreams.
They wound up texting back and forth for the next hour, catching up on missing weeks and what the other had been up to. When they finally had to stop or fall asleep where they were standing, Sev thought, for sure, that’d be the end of it. He kept telling himself not to expect more.
Still, Kelsey’s attention was like catnip, and he was a big, orange, furry feline when it came to her.
So, he couldn’t let go. And when he got a text from her on Valentine’s Day, he was hooked all over again.
Sev! Did you send me roses????
Sev chuckled to himself as an image rolled up of a small vase with three yellow roses, real this time, with baby’s breath and greenery, all arranged on a table.
It’s not much, but I’m glad you like them.
Not much? Are you kissing me right now?
Sev’s eyes widened at her typo, his mind immediately picturing what it would be like to do just that. He couldn’t say he hadn’t imagined it a few dozen times since meeting her.
Just as he hit send on his text, another one popped up from her.
I mean, I could if you wanted
I’m so sorry! That was a typo.
Well. He’d just reached a new level of awkward.
Did you mean that?
Lifting his thumbs, he took a deep breath and tried to formulate a response that didn’t make him sound like he’d been fantasizing about her. Still, this was Kelsey, the only person he’d ever felt truly free to be himself around. So, he decided to go with honesty.
You’re a beautiful woman. Of course I’d want to kiss you.
