Page 104 of I Wanna Text You Up

“That’s going to be fun,” Caleb says as he hangs the leash backup.

“Oh loads. I was hoping my parents would be here to at least introduce them, but that’s up to us now. He’s better behaved when they’rearound.”

I take a seat on the luxurious couch my mom bought last year and glance around theroom.

The walls are a different color, specifically the accent wall behind the television stand. It used to be a pale blue but is now a darker gray, which fits nicely with the gray flooring they put in a few years ago. My mom has also swapped out her usual blue accent pieces for pale yellow ones, making the whole roombrighter.

Caleb takes a seat next to me. “This is a beautifulhome.”

“Isn’t it? It’s perfect for the two of them too. I love coming to visit. They make it feel sohomey.”

“I’m sure anywhere your parents are feelshomey.”

“Is that the case for youtoo?”

“No. No it’snot.

His focus is anywhere but on me, but I hear the sadness laced in hiswords.

I don’t know if I want to kiss him, hug him, orcry.

* * *

“My parents like you,you know. My mom texted me earlier with the stamp ofapproval.”

Caleb lets out a relieved sigh. “Good. I was worried they’d hate me for moving in with their daughter and then, you know, not keeping things very roommate-like.”

“Nah. They’re prettyeasygoing.”

“They seemgreat.”

We’re sitting out back on the patio, stuffed from the Chinese food we ordered and curled up together in the chaise lounge, sharing a beer while a fire roars in the firepit.

My dad’s hung twinkle lights around the perimeter since I was here last, and they cast a romantic glow aroundus.

I close my eyes and rest against Caleb’s chest, soaking in the sound of the waves crashing against the nearbyshore.

“I love it outhere.”

Caleb kisses at my neck, his lips cold and wet from the beer. “Yeah, it’s not toobad.”

I smile, because I know he’s referring to spending time with me just as much as he is oursurroundings.

“Your dad kind of got me thinking…what are you doing after graduation,Zohanna?”

“You caught that,huh?”

“Hell yes I did. You never told me that was your fullname.”

“It’s a littlestrange…”

“Strange?” I feel his lips at my ear. “It’s sexy ashell.”

I let out a shiver and can feel his laughter againstme.

“Now, after graduation,” hesays.

“I…” My lips go dry. This is the first time I’ve had anyone other than my parents ask me directly. Even with Delia, it was always just awe’ll see when I get theresort of answer. “I, um, I’ve actually applied for a few graphic artists positions, some freelance, some in New York—even one at a comic bookpublisher.”

---