But I set my things down and immediately my eyes were drawn to a small box placed on my desk. It had a red bow and immediately my heart swelled. Maybe he didn’t hate me. Maybe I did have a chance.
I hesitantly opened the box and found a customized red iPhone engraved with the silver letters, CJ in the upper right corner next to the phone’s speaker. I couldn’t believe it. He had done it. He had somehow managed to get me a red iPhone. The back casing was still silver, but the front cover was a ruby red.
I took the phone and turned it on. The welcome screen flashed and tears filled my eyes as I read the message: I love you, forever and always.
Before I could even explore the phone, it began to ring. The name registered as Prince Charming and I smiled with tears threatening to spill over.
I answered it. “Hello?”
“Hi, beautiful,” he said hesitantly. “I’m so sorry for everything.”
“You don’t have to explain anything. I’m the one who should apologize. I overreacted because…because I love you.”
There was a brief pause and I almost asked if he was still there when I finally heard him speak. “I love you too, Christy. I have for a very long time.”
“I was too blind to see it. My heart was hardened, and I chose not to see anything that would soften it.”
“I’m sorry for everything I did in high school. I was a complete ass. You were perfect. You are perfect.”
I chuckled a little and wiped the tears falling down my cheeks. “I’m hardly perfect. I almost completely ruined everything.”
“For good reason. You don’t have to apologize for getting upset. I’m rather angry myself.”
“I’m sorry you had to deal with that along with my reaction. I love you.” I smiled. I couldn’t stop saying it.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing those words coming from your lips. I love you, CJ.”
“I tried to find you yesterday,” I hedged. “You never came home.”
“I did. I saw you before you saw me and it took everything I had not to rush to you, take you in my arms and kiss you soundly.”
“Why did you wait?”
“I had a few more things to do. I also wasn’t sure you weren’t just there to tell me to get lost for good.”
“Your neighbor said you were moving. Is that true?”
“Yes and no. I was getting rid of things I no longer needed and making some extra room in the apartment.”
“Why?”
“It’s easier to tell you in person. Besides, I want to hold you in my arms, to know that you are real.”
“You should have thought about that earlier.” I smiled, knowing I felt the same way. I itched for his touch, for him to whisper in my ear that he loved me.
“I did and I came prepared,” he said.
“You’re being cryptic again.” I looked up, seeing someone walking up to the doors from the corner of my eyes and gasped when I realized it was Devin. I stood, the phone still to my ear when he walked inside the building.
“Surprise.” He smiled and in a daze I smiled back. He put his phone in his pocket. “You can hang up now.” The phone remained in my hand until he took it and placed it on the desk. He held onto my hand and kissed it. “I meant what I said. I love you, CJ.”
“I know.” I blushed.
“Don’t you have something to say?”
“Hmm, I don’t think I do. Oh, okay. Was it three words?”
He nodded, trying not to chuckle.
“Yes, I remember. Thank you, Devin.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Not it?”
“No.”
“Hmm, let me try again...I love you, Devin. I love yo—” I couldn’t finish as his lips came down on mine and began to kiss me. My arms wrapped around his neck, holding him closer to me. I had missed his touch. I had missed him.
He kissed my neck and then just held me close to him. I did the same, resting my head on his shoulder, smelling his intoxicating cologne. “I’ve missed you terribly,” I said honestly. “I thought you were going to leave me. You don’t know how many times I called you.”
“I do know and I’ve missed you too. It’s been torture to give you your space. I was terrified you were going to realize I wasn’t good enough for you.”
I kissed his neck. “Don’t leave me, okay?”
“Never.”
“If you’ve made room in your apartment, do you think I can move in?” I pulled back to look him in the eye. “I’m tired of putting Larissa out by staying with her and I don’t want to go back to the house. Maybe I should get my own place to start. I don’t want to put you out.”