Jarod started to clap. He didn’t stop until she was almost hysterical with laughter.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go on and on like that.”
He stole a deep, passionate kiss from her lips. “I wouldn’t have missed that performance for anything. Let’s go plan our wedding, shall we?”
She heard a whole new tone of happiness in his voice. It thrilled her.
“Yes.”
With their arms around each other, they walked through the main office.
Jarod paused. “Good night, Maureen.”
“Good night, you two. See you on Monday.”
“I love your optimism, Maureen.”
The older woman laughed so hard, Sydney could still hear it after they’d exited the main doors of the building.
CHAPTER EIGHT
ON TUESDAY OF the next week, Sydney had just walked in the door from school when her cell phone rang. Jarod always called her at this time of the afternoon. She lived for it.
“Hello?” she cried breathlessly, needing to hear his voice at the end of a grueling day. They always had so much to talk about. She didn’t know how she’d survived the last year without him.
“Aloooohhhhaaaaa.”
“Gilly— You’re back!”
“Yes!”
“I was expecting a call from you yesterday.”
“We decided to stay another night. It was hard to come home, you know?”
“Yes. I do know.” Oh yes I do.
“You sound different. Excited. I hardly recognized your voice when you answered.”
“I hardly recognized yours,” Sydney countered. “I don’t need to ask if you’re happy.”
“There aren’t words.” Gilly’s voice trembled.
“I know the feeling.”
“Talk to me.”
Sydney smiled. “How long have you got to listen?”
“Until my lord and master comes back.”
“And you can’t wait.”
“I confess.”
“Knowing how crazy he is about you, that won’t be long, so I’ll hurry and tell you everything.”
“You’ve met a man while I’ve been gone.”