Raw [#Wattys2015]

Chapter 26

A month or so has gone by since we dealt with the drama Jeremy thrust into our lives and since then, it's been pure bliss. James and I are inseparable, unless of course we're working, which doesn't stop us from flirt-texting each other all day long.

Last night, after tangling ourselves up in James' sheets he asked me, no he insisted that we move in together. Of course, being the naturally hilarious person that I am, I ruined the mood by pointing out that we already live together. His frown was adorable.

Anyway, he told me that he is ready for us to start "our normal." How freaking cute and nauseatingly cliché is that? I what's even better is that I loved it. I never thought that I would be giddy over corny lines like that, but alas here I am swooning over two mediocre words. I'm not even ashamed of the giggly, happy version of myself that came alive after he asked me.

Our normal.

I smile as I imagine what our normal will look like. I'm picturing a cute little house with flowers planted out front. Of course, we must get a teeny little dog with poofy hair. It's a deal breaker if we don't. I imagine that James will let me decorate the inside, because let's face it, he is a guy and has no sense of fashion or décor. If I allowed him to decorate, it would be a modge podge of all primary colors, overly stuffed furniture and football paraphernalia.

So, here I sit at my desk with access to just about every rental property in the Warren and surrounding areas, some of which haven't even been published and listed yet in MLS.

Being a realtor certainly has its perks.

James was even sweet enough to let me choose everything I want regarding where we land too. I want to be in Warren, close to my Dad, but I worried that he would want to settle down in Rockland where he is from. I was wrong and almost cried when he looked me in the eyes and told me that he didn't' care where we were as long as we were together.

I smile at the memory as I scroll through the listings, highlighting the ones I think he will like too. My phone rings and a zing of excitement shoots through me as I see James' face on my cell phone screen.

"Hey you," I croon into the phone, like the cliché loser that I've so shamelessly become.

"Hey, uh... I can't really talk for along time, I'm actually at the airport getting ready to board a plane to Virginia. I can't explain now, but I just wanted to tell you that I love you and I'll call you as soon as I can."

What?

I stand up, because apparently that's what you do when you're me and you're confused. "What? What do you mean you're at the airport? What's going on?"

My mind races as I imagine all the things that might possibly be wrong. Could someone have gotten into an accident? Did someone pass away? Does it have something to do with his new job?

"Ror, I'm sorry I have to go."

"Wait, no." I grab my bag and my keys and start walking out of my cubicle. "I'll come with you."

"Baby, I can't wait on you. The plan is boarding in five minutes. I love you."

He hangs up the phone before I can respond again, numbing every nerve in my entire body. I stand here, in the middle of the cube farm in the back of Rockland Realty, frozen and in complete shock at what just happened.

I stare down at my phone, in disbelief that he actually just hung up on me. Why would he do that? What could be happening in Virginia that has him acting so uncharacteristically? Something terrible must be happening for him to rush off like this, but he could at least have ended the conversation in a more respectful way. I hate being hung up on. I think it's one of the rudest things a person can do.