farewell (18+)

12. Longing

Max called me as soon as he got home to let me know he had a safe flight. From then on, we would text every day and Skype at least once a week. Even though I tried to let him go, -- and I tried hard -- I found myself reaching for the phone more than I made an effort to let him go. I wouldn't stop thinking about him, wouldn't stop touching myself at the thought of him. Seeing other people just wasn't cutting it. I was still hooked.

I was just getting home, clothes and hair completely drenched from the rain outside. My short dress and heels were not made for that weather. All I'll say is that forecast was a bitch. I had just had a horrible date. The guy was utterly inappropriate, flirted with the waitress, and asked me to pay for dinner after he had chosen the place (which was not inexpensive, I must add).

I got my phone and tossed my wet purse somewhere close to the door. The puddles that formed were a problem for tomorrow's Anna. I heard a beep and unlocked the screen.

Max: can we video chat?

Me: since when do you
need to ask?

let me just set up

I sat on the couch and started my laptop, which was sitting on the coffee table. As soon as I was online, the familiar Skype tune chimed, making me nervous.

"Hey, Max!" I tried not to seem too giddy.

I failed.

"Anna. Oh wow! What happened?"

I reached for my brown hair and started squeezing out the excess water. "Oh! I was out, and it started raining cats and dogs in here before I got home."

"I see... Out on a date?" His eyes wandered down my dripping figure. "You look nice."

I was suddenly aware of the damp tube dress clinging to my body. "Yeah... Thanks. I was on a date."

"But you're home early."

"I am."

"So it went bad." He smiled like the Cheshire Cat.

"Don't be so amused by my misery."

"Bold choice of words..." His grin got even bigger. "Was it really that bad?"

"You don't want to know. It's like guys aren't even trying anymore."

"What a shame. On behalf of my kind, I'd like to apologize."

"Thanks."

"Well... I don't wanna hold you." He finally looked normal. "You probably want to change out of these... Wet clothes."

I clenched my thighs to stop the tingling that started between them. Damn. "Yeah, I'm soaked."

I heard the tiniest groan coming from the computer. "Okay... Well, it's pretty late up here, so... Talk to you tomorrow?"

"Oh, you don't have to hang up! I'll just change into something more comfortable. It'll take like a minute. Can you wait?"

"Yes." He lightened up. "That would be great."

I got up, but I hesitated halfway through the living room. I had an idea so bold that I was shocked at myself. What if I left the door open while changing, so Max would see everything? Maybe that would lead to something.

I can't do that, I thought. I was being desperate and delusional. My time with Max was over. We were thousands of kilometers away, separated by an ocean and four time-zones.