Page 50 of Love at a 7-Eleven

"Did it break your heart?" I asked him.

"No, it didn't. I don't mean to make a big deal about it. I'm relieved if anything. I was just making sure you still feel the same way."

I took a second to think about it. "Yeah, just no praying, please. I can't handle any praying. If you pray, I'm outta here."

His expression grew serious for a split second and I cracked a smile letting him know I was joking.

He laughed. "You can't say that because I'm still stunned," he said.

"Of course you can pray. I know who you are, Caleb. Look at your YouTube channel."

He shrugged. "I don't know what did it. I don't really care. It was supernatural I think."

"That's amazing," I said, staring at him. "So it's done, just like that? She's not working with you?"

"No," he said. "We argued for five straight minutes, then I prayed, and then we wrapped things up in a cordial, three-minute business-like conversation. She said she'd be available to help me with the software and getting settled with someone new."

"Are you hiring someone?" I asked.

"I don't know what I'm doing," he said. "I'll figure it out. Ready or not."

I could tell he was blown away by what had just happened. It must have been a trip to have someone so obsessed just turn a corner like that. I took his hand and pulled it near me, near my chest. I held onto him, and he turned to look at me from over the console.

"Could you come home with me?" I said. "Just come with me, and we'll figure it out. I was thinking about it, and we have connections at Northwestern you could maybe work some of the time from—"

"Yes," he said, cutting me off.

"Yes?"

"Yes, I'll come."

"You will? When?"

"Whenever you want me to."

I beamed. "Tomorrow?" I said, blinking at him with a hopeful smile.

He grinned at me—a slow, ridiculously gorgeous grin. "Yes, tomorrow," he said.

"Reallyyy?" I said the word in a quiet high-pitch screech that was unintentional and just came out because of how excited I was.

He smiled. "Yes, if you want me to."

"I do want you to! Are you being serious right now? Because I'm, I'm getting my hopes up. Could you even pull it off where you leave tomorrow? Logistically, I mean?"

I already knew the answer to my question. I had come to L.A. on the same day. I just wanted him to say that it was possible.

"Definitely," he said, looking serious.

"Are you going to?"

"Yes, I am."

"Could you get on the same flight as me?"

"Maybe. I can try."

"How long can you stay?"

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