Her voice fades, and Skyler gives her a sympathetic look before squeezing her arm. We all know how hard it’s been for her and Adam doing long distance.
Long distance is what killed me and Jarrett.
It’s what killed Skyler and Kip.
We don’t need another casualty.
“I’ll allow your absence,” I say. “Just this once. Only because I love Adam, and you, and the two of you together. But you’re sponsoring a round of shots.”
“Of course,” she says, but her smile isn’t one of relief. I know that look of FOMO, and I’d have it, too, if I were in her shoes.
“We’ll party when you’re back, too,” Ashlei promises. “Don’t worry.”
Cassie nods, and then I rub my hands together again.
“Don’t stuff yourselves too full of turkey and mashed potatoes, ladies,” I say with a wicked smile as I pull up my phone, already searching for resorts. “I’m thinking… Mexico.”
That earns me a group of squeals, and Skyler starts talking about which swimsuits to pack as Ashlei says she’s almost positive Brandon has a timeshare at a resort in Cabo.
Already, my heart feels lighter, my soul warmer knowing I’ll have my girls to help me sort through this mess I’m in — and that we can celebrate our girl finding the man of her dreams, too.
There’s a short round of catching up and happy holiday wishes before we end the call.
And when we hang up, I get to work planning the most epic bachelorette party ever.
“PLEASE SAY SOMETHING.”
Adam’s voice pierces through the ringing in my ears, the fog clouding my vision as I grip my phone tighter than necessary. I blink, over and over, processing what he’s said.
“Cassie…”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Adam,” I finally whisper, sniffing back the urge to cry. I’m not sure if they would be sad or angry tears at this point.
“It’s not ideal, I know.”
“Not ideal?” I scoff, and Lindsey — my roommate — widens her eyes before closing her textbook and popping off her bed. She gives me a little wave to let me know she’s giving me space, and closes the door on her way out.
I grit my teeth.
“Not only are you saying that the trip to Colorado to see you that I’ve been looking forward to since the day we said goodbye is now not happening, but you’re also saying you’re going to have Thanksgiving with some other girl’s family.”
“In Baltimore,” he adds for me. “In order to secure a job that would put me there permanently.” There’s a long pause before he says, “With you.”
I shake my head. “Is there something going on with her? Are you…” Bile rises in my throat. “Are you cheating on me?”
My bottom lip wobbles with the question, and Adam curses. “Of course not. Baby, how could you even ask that?”
I don’t answer.
“Hey, look down. You see that silver chain and those two letters hanging around your neck?” he asks.
And I do. I wrap my fingers around the charm, closing my eyes and freeing a silent tear.
“That was a promise to you. A promise that I love you, more than anyone, and that I will be true to you. Always. You’re my person, Cassie.”
“But things change. You’ve been away for a whole semester almost, and you’ve spent so much time with this girl.” I sniff again. “I wouldn’t blame you if you… if you found other interests. If you outgrew me. If you…”
“Stop. Stop right there,” he says. “First of all, you would kill me if that were true, and you know it.”
I almost smile at that.
“Secondly, I love you. I miss you — and that’s exactly why this is important to me. I know it sucks in the short term. It breaks my fucking heart to have to make this call,” he admits with a strained voice. “But what if this is the key to us being together come spring? What if we could not only be in the same city, but in the same house?” He pauses. “Or apartment, or whatever.”
My heart squeezes at that. “You want to move in together?”
“If I get this job? Hell fucking yes, I do. I want to be able to kiss you every night before I go to sleep and kiss you as soon as my eyes open in the morning.”
I clutch my necklace, slumping back against the headboard. “I hate this.”
“I know. I do, too. I tried to do it through just a phone call, but… I mean, this is Simmons Snacks, Cassie. They’re a big deal. They’re not going to be won over by a resume and some guy they don’t know on a phone call — if they would even take it. But to Chandler, they aren’t Fortune 100 business owners — they’re Nana and PopPop. It wouldn’t be an interview, it’d be a family meal, maybe a cigar and a glass with her grandfather. And maybe, a job offer.”