Page 76 of Forever Fickle

I really miss you and thought about you a lot today.

Love,

Karen

* * *

Tinkerbell,

I just got your email and gotta admit that I’m nervous. It’s three in the afternoon here, which means it’s almost three in the morning there. I’m half tempted to try calling now because your email was very evasive and I’m panicking. I’m insecure when it comes to you. Is something wrong?

I love you – and thank you for reaching out so that way we can talk about whatever is on your mind. It means a lot to me.

Love,

Jace

* * *

Karen’s phonerang at one in the afternoon just as she finished microwaving a frozen pizza. Hesitating, she slid open the phone after seeing ‘UNAVAILABLE’ on the display. She used to never answer those calls because they were always spam callers or salesmen… but now that there was a possibility it was Jace?

She always answered.

“Tink… Oh thank goodness you answered,” Jace whispered quickly. “What’s wrong honey? I have to be quiet because I’m supposed to be sleeping and I can’t because I’m worried.”

“Jace,” Karen felt like a heel almost immediately for even emailing. “I’m so sorry and I’m not trying to scare you, but I just wanted to talk and not write it down because it could come out the wrong way…”

“What’s wrong, Tink? I don’t know how long I have…”

“Honey, did you know that us meeting was a set up?”

“Huh?” he asked bluntly. “What are you talking about? Who is claiming that?”

“Apparently that is why I was asked to help out at Flyboys – so I could be put in front of you and…”

“And you thought I was in on it?” he interrupted flatly.

“Jace, I…”

“Karen, you are going to have to trust me – trust in what this is – at some point, honey. I love you and have never tried to manipulate this, work it in my favor, or…”

“I know you haven’t,” she interrupted immediately. “But I had to ask so that way I could reassure myself. It’s not that I don’t trust you – I don’t trust myself.”

She hesitated for a moment in the silence between them.

“I’m talking with you about this because I literally do trust you and if I didn’t or felt slimy about it, then I would have hidden that I knew the truth. I don’t want any secrets between us… ever. That is why I said something,” she explained, feeling suddenly scared at his reaction.

“I’m probably butchering this but it's because I’m trying to trust this feeling inside of me and I’m still chicken when it comes to us. I’m trying, Jace.”

“I love you, Karen,” he said softly. “No games, I swear. I had no idea someone was trying to set us up – and if they did? I would thank them wholeheartedly.”

“You would?” she sniffed, cradling the phone to her head. “You aren’t mad?”

“I would rather you always feel like you can talk to me about anything, because you love me and trust me… I’m yours and you are mine, Tink,” he breathed. “But I am going to have to go before I get caught and have to run laps. I love you, darling. I will call again tonight, okay?”

“I’ll be waiting.”

She laughed softly as he made kissy sounds in the phone and heard him chuckle softly.

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