Page 79 of All I Want Is Love
He wrote me a few messages a couple of hours ago, but I didn’t even have the heart to read them. I think I might have faltered immediately. The thing is, I don’t think he truly gets it. I could see it on his face that he noticed my reaction to his words, about not wanting tostand in my way.And he looked like he was panicking, more than a little.
I just doubt he even realizes why I am so pissed.
Just talk to me, you dunce, instead of jumping to conclusions!
This brings me to a new idea. Instead of spamming Robin with more messages, I settle on my sofa and look up jokes and funny ways to call someone stupid. Some of them are yawn-worthydull, but some are hilarious, and I wish I could share them with Soren right now.
My favorite being ‘Your train of thoughts is like a replacement bus service’. How very fitting.
Barkley stirs suddenly, raising his head. “Hey buddy,” I whisper. “What alerted you?”
He just wags his tail briefly before dragging himself up and trotting towards me slowly. He rests his big head against my knee, waiting for me to cuddle him before he trots towards the door.
No way…
I follow my pup downstairs, opening the door right when Soren is about to knock.
I want to tell him that he is insane for dropping by at such an ungodly hour.
I want to ask him if he ran all the way, because he is panting quite a bit.
I want to close the door in his face and have him knock at my door for a bit longer.
Instead, I just lean against the door frame, sighing inwardly. “Hi,” I say.
Soren’s hair is a mess, and there is cat hair all over his jacket. Red cat hair. He is so going to adopt Cracker, I know it already. I knew it from the first moment I saw them together. “Okay, Leo, please listen to me.”
“I am listening,” I say.
“I am not sure if I am made for the city,” Soren says. “But I can’t have it happen again. I want to try… or maybe do long distance… or…” He pauses. “I don’t want you to think I was breaking up with you. That was never my intention.”
“I never thought that’s what you meant to say,” I say, inclined to tell him that stupid joke about the train of thoughts, because seriously…
“Soren,” I say, finally letting out that exasperated sigh I was holding ever since we parted earlier tonight. “I am not moving anywhere!”
“But your boss—"
“Michael came here to tell me my name has been cleared, officially. He was always at my side during this whole fiasco and always believed in my innocence. He was the one who pushed relentlessly to reveal the truth. And it’s true, he made me an offer today,” I say. “And told me I can return anytime, but I declined. Obviously. My brother is here, I have new friends, and I like the town. And you are here too. I like that this place gave me the chance of having a new start.”
“But he told you to think it through,“ Soren says. I can see the confusion on his face, but also how the wheels start turning a little. Finally.
“He offered me to work remotely,” I explain. “As an independent contractor. When I declined the job offer, he said, he would love to hire me for a few projects even when I am not with his company.”
“Y… you are not moving,” Soren stutters.
“Obviously not.”
“You—“ He pauses, brushing through his hair. “Oh god.”
I shake my head. “What made you think that I would? You know firsthand how happy I am here, and how much I struggled with my panic attacks.”
Soren looks flustered. “It was like a movie that went off in my head, and I instantly panicked.”
“I get these types of movies too,” I mutter. “But you could have at least asked me first before throwing yourself into a full-fledged anxiety attack. Well, technically, I could have talked to you too.”
“I am sorry,” he says quietly. “You are right. I jumped to a conclusion a bit too fast.”
“Man,” I sigh. “Be glad that I am obviously blinded by love.” I step aside. “Come inside. It’s freezing cold out there, and I really don’t need the neighbors watching us argue on the street. I know this is a small town, and they love the drama.”
