Page 59 of Forever Fascinating

Matthew’s laughter made her toes curl in delight.

“I’m assuming this isJ…?” he asked, chuckling.

“You know it,” she confirmed, smiling, and felt tears sting her eyes. “I’m so glad you called. It’s been a quiet week. How is…”

“Is it almost time?” Matthew interrupted.

“Huh? Time? Oh, you mean midnight?” Jana whispered breathlessly, looking at the timer on the television screen. “We’ve got two minutes. Were you calling to wish me a Happy New Year?”

“I can’t be there in person,” he countered softly, “And I wanted to hear your voice and tell you thank you for my Christmas present. It was perfect. Who knew I loved Boston Baked Beans? They are freakin’ delicious, and I have missed out growing up.”

Jana chuckled happily.

“I have my coin on my necklace and was so touched by how thoughtful it was… in fact? I’m wearing my T-shirt too.”

“I sent you another little something in the mail yesterday.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. I miss you and hope it makes you smile.”

“Uh oh… the countdown is starting,” she announced, putting her cell phone on speaker. “Can you hear the television?”

“Sure can,” he confirmed, and she felt a little silly listening to it with him, but this was so sweet of him to try to plan out his phone call so they could do this together.

Five

“I’m so glad you called right now.”

Four

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Three

“Really?”

Two

“I wish I was there to see you, hug you, and blow silly paper horns with you at midnight…”

One

“Don’t forget the hats and confetti…”

Happy New Year! We are live from Times Square and the ball has just descended and a new year has begun…

“You know it,” Matthew said softly. “Happy New Year, darling…”

“Happy New Year, my sweet Bunt-Boy,” she whispered, tearing up at the obvious term of endearment he used. “Aww. You called medarling.”

“I meant it, too.”

“I’m so stinkin’ happy you called tonight,” she said thickly. “Are you celebrating there?”

“It’s noon here, but yeah, we watched a movie last night and had popcorn. It was Resident Evil. Gruesome, lots of jump scares, and did I mention blood, guts, and gore everywhere? Yuck.”

“Nice.”

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