Page 114 of Forever Fascinating

Matthew

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Hey Sweetheart,

Soooo Reilly holds grudges – or he’s still peeved at me. My request for time off got turned down again… but I’m no quitter! I put in again for time off and I will keep you posted.

I really didn’t have any news except that I miss you and understand about the photos. I can’t wait to see which ones you enlarged, because I scroll through my photos on my phone all the time.

I am so glad Alpo told me to get a cell phone and never realized how convenient this was to have a digital album at my fingertips whenever I need to see your smile. He's a smart man (or has been exactly where we are now)…

I miss you – and I miss bringing you coffee in bed just so I can see that sleepy smile.

Have I mentioned that I’m crazy in love?

Yours forever,

Matthew

* * *

Jana’s phonerang the moment she laid down to go to bed. It was July third and their one-month anniversary. She wondered if her sweet sensitive guy would try calling, send flowers, or send a card, because he seemed to be a little more mushy when it came to gestures than she was sometimes.

She loved his mushy side!

It was nearly midnight, far past when she should have gone to bed, but she’d been holding out hope to hear from Matthew. Answering the phone, she announced her newest quip that was just for his sake.

“Barlow Bungalow! My man makes me blush, moan, and glow…”

Matthew’s wild laughter had her chuckling instantly.

“Tell me you do not answer the phone like that for anyone else, darling,” he muttered, still laughing, and she could hear the embarrassment in his voice.

“Nope,” she smiled. “Just for my sweet husband who makes life worth living.”

“Oh gosh Jana… I’ve missed hearing your voice so much. I’m sorry I couldn’t call a few weeks ago. I’ve had to run twice more.”

“Quit egging Reilly on, honey,” she chided gently, feeling concerned.

“I didn’t even say anything these last two times,” he grumbled, sounding discouraged. “It’s like the man has focused in on me and hasn’t found another target to harass yet.”

“Maybe he thinks you are sexy as I do,” she teased, feeling bad for Matthew and just trying to cheer him up. “Are you supposed to be eating lunch? It’s almost midnight here.”

“Yeah,” he admitted. “I couldn’t let today go by without trying to call you or reach out, you know? Happy one month anniversary, honey.”

“Happy one month anniversary, sweetheart,” she whispered tenderly, smiling happily as she closed her eyes, grateful to hear his voice. “I miss your smile.”

“Gosh, I miss yours, too,” he said emphatically, his voice a hushed whisper. “I’m seriously head-over-heels in love with you and think about you all the time.”

“Same here.”

“No,” he chuckled quietly, trying to keep his voice down and she could hear the hushed whisper of his words, realizing he was trying to keep from being heard. “I mean, I really think about you –like that– all the time. Men are dogs, me included.”

“I don’t know about being a ‘dog’,” she teased, feeling herself blush at his referral and how stupidly happy his words made her. “Maybe you’re just really happy with your wife.”

“A million times yessss…” he drawled passionately, as if to stress his point. “I’m going to have to go eat something in case Reilly has me running again. I put in for time off again, so cross your fingers and those pretty toes.”

“They are all crossed, my love.”

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