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"How are things going with that guy you were dating, Calvin?"
"Calum," I correct her with a smile. "And it's going great."
"I'm so happy to hear that," Poppy beams taking a sip of her drink. "You seem really happy lately."
"I am," I smile. "He's coming back from California tomorrow. He and his sister flew over to visit their parents's grave."
"I heard about that. It's just awful."
"Yeah, I can't believe he had to go through all that when he was in high school." I absentmindedly stir my drink with my straw. "I really admire him for how well he got his life put together after that."
"Are the two of you coming back to Connecticut for Thanksgiving?"
"No," I say quickly and Poppy laughs at my response, no doubt having expected it. "We're only doing Friendsgiving this year."
"Leaving me alone with both of our mothers, Scotty? Rude." I laugh at her pout.
"You'll be fine," I roll my eyes. "Thanksgiving isn't a problem for you, you have a career and you're getting married; there is nothing for relatives to nag on you about. If anything Thanksgiving is your time to shine, Pops"
"I guess you're right," she shrugs. "I heard Emma is seeing someone too."
"Oh yeah. Calum's roommate, Luke," I confirm. "They go together really well."
"She said something about finally understanding Oliver Oken's obsession with wanting to shampoo Hannah's hair."
"Luke does have great hair."
...
Both Calum and I break out into cheek numbing grins when we spot each other through the crowded airport. He lets his bag hit the floor when he reaches me and pulls me into a hug. I can't believe how much I have missed how someone smells. "I missed you."
My words come out muffled against his chest and I feel the vibrations of his chuckle against where he has his head buried in the crook of my neck. "It's only been three days, Scotty. But I missed you too."
When we let go of each other I take notice of the girl standing behind him with a suitcase. "You must be Mali."
"That's me!" I immediately pull her into a hug, which she reciprocates.
"It's so nice to finally meet you," I gush as I pull away. "Calum won't shut up about you."
"I don't talk about her that much," he scoffs raking a hand through his hair.
"Luke put up a Mali jar where he has to put in a dollar every time he mentions you," I inform her. "It's kinda full."
"Go on, expose me like that."
"It's adorable," Mali singsongs. "Calum loves me."
"Not particularly much at this moment." We both laugh at his discomfort. "Let's just get out of here."
I smile at Mali and Calum's interacting the entire cab ride back to his apartment. Calum clearly felt much better now that he'd spent time with her. In the apartment Luke about squeals when he sees Mali and she does the same. I'm am pretty sure Luke can get along with just about anyone.
"Mali, are you staying for Friendsgiving?" I ask as the two of us collapse onto the sofa.
"No, I have to head back to England," she tells me. "It's my boyfriend's birthday next week so I gotta be there."
"Well, we should definitely get up to something while you're still here."
"Definitely," she smiles. "I was meaning to thank you."
"What for?"
"For being so good with Calum. With everything with our parents he said you were a great help."
"It's nothing," I shrug, grabbing a pillow to hug to my chest. "I just can't imagine what it must be like for him—for the both of you. I don't want to see him hurt."
"I really root for the two of you, you know," she tells me, and I hear a bit of an English accent breaking through. "He has never gone on about any of his girlfriends like he does with you."
"Actually, we're not officially together."
"Are you bloody kidding me," she shakes her head. "For the past three days he's done nothing other than raved on about you, and here you are telling me he's too chicken to ask you out?"
"It's no big deal," I shrug. "I mean I've never had a boyfriend before so I don't mind waiting a bit longer, I guess."
"My brother, the coward." A moment later Calum appears and he plops down beside me.
"Did you sleep here?"
"Oh, um yeah," I blush and tuck my fringe behind my ear. "I hope that's OK. I was super tired and your place is much closer to the office and I was missing you and your pillows smell like you so I just—what?"
The infatuated smile on his face almost makes my cheeks hurt. "It's fine," he tells me. "I don't mind at all."
"Calum, you're ruining our shit-talking session," Mali whines. "How are we supposed to talk smack about you when you're sitting right here?"
"Oh shut up," he rolls his eyes. "I'm just wondering what you want for dinner."
Mali's face sets into a sly smirk and Calum looks as confused as can be when I laugh at her reply. "I was thinking chicken."
...
I wrote and posted like five chapters yesterday
Wow if I was only this ambitious during the school year
