“I’m regretting this call,” I mutter jokingly.
“No, you’re not. You miss me, just admit it.”
A smile plays on my lips. I hate that I miss him, wishing to be back on the East Coast. After my dad made it clear to Will that if I resisted coming home, it would be evident I had a male interest, I faked rather enthusiastically how much I wanted to spend Christmas in California.
“Maybe, I’ve somewhat grown fond of you.”
There’s a muffle in the background. “Listen, I have to go.”
“Of course, go work and bring in the money.”
“Hey,” he quips before I say goodbye. “Keep thinking the things you’re thinking, and if it helps at all, I miss you, too.”
My stomach begins to flutter, and with a heavy sigh, I say goodbye, sadness settling in at the thought of how far apart we are right now. I yearn to tou
ch his face and feel his lips on mine. Everything about him just becomes so much more than my head allows it to be, all in the few simple words he said.
He misses me.
I drag myself out of bed, left with no choice when Ava bangs on my door to hurry up.
With the change in time zones and turbulent sleep, I find myself less energetic and patient. I shower, change, head down for breakfast only to argue with Addison for finishing the rest of the milk. Dad is in the kitchen, amused by this and not saying a word.
“You know, coffee works wonders, Amelia.”
He was right. After my coffee, I do mellow out.
“What are your plans for today?”
“Unfortunately, shopping with Ava,” I complain, pouring myself another coffee. “What about you?”
“Trying to close a deal before the end of the day. Once people are in holiday mode, it’s hard to get any work out of them.”
“Has it ever occurred to you to maybe go into holiday mode too?”
Dad smirks. “Nice joke, Amelia. Say that in front of your mother, and I’m cutting you off.”
My shoulders fall up and down, chuckling at the thought of Mom’s reaction had she heard. My laughter slows down as Dad’s phone buzzes on the countertop.
“Will,” he answers quickly, placing the call on speaker. “What did Duncan have to say for himself?
“The usual, Lex. I say we cut him and let Anderson do the job,” Will responds with an angered tone.
“If that’s what you think, let’s do it. I don’t want him slowing us down.”
“Agreed.”
“Will, I’m here with Amelia. She’s trying to convince me to take a break.”
I almost spit out my coffee. This is getting awkward. I should’ve walked out instead of standing here like an idiot. “Hello, Will. How are things?”
“Great, actually. And you? Staying out of trouble?”
“I try,” I answer as Dad smiles behind his mug. “Since Dad is here, that probably should’ve been a yes.”
“Go easy on her, Lex. Remember what it was like when you were nineteen?”
Dad squints with a stiff smile. “I’d rather forget.”