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"I missed you too, pumpkin." He replies.
He’s been calling me ‘pumpkin’ for as long as I can remember. I scoff, pulling away from him to give him a face.
"You really need to stop calling me that," I say, wagging my finger at him.
"Never!" He doesn't budge with a smirk on his face. I scowl at him.
"You are so stubborn," I ask, folding my hands across my chest. "No wonder you have so much gray hair on your head."
The teasing expression on his face wipes off, switching to one of horror.
"Gray hair? Where!" He starts to run his hand through the mass of hair on his head frantically, and I laugh at the comic sight of it.
John hates any indication that he is getting old. Any slight hint of the gray strand in his hair will make him dye the entire hair dark brown.
He is only in his mid-forties, but he is very conscious that he is not getting any younger.
Apparently, he wants to remain young forever.
"Calm down," I say between laughter. "I'm only teasing you," I add, to put John out of his misery. He gives me a look.
"You definitely haven't lost your wit, I see," He notes.
"That’s exactly what I said to her," Jeremy chips in as he brings the rest of my bag in. I roll my eyes, shrugging.
"Only when you two are involved," I gesture to the both of them.
"Thank you for getting her home safely," John says to Jeremy, who nods back with a smile, taking the bags up the stairs. John looks at me again, chuckles, and pulls me on for another hug.
"God, I really missed you," He sighs. I hum in response, hugging him back tighter. "Welcome home," He adds.
"Thank you. It's good to be back," I answer.
"Oh, that reminds me. I have a huge surprise for you," John lets me go, walking further into the house as I follow him.
"A surprise?" I repeat curiously. John turns around to face me with a big smile before suddenly calling out into the air.
"You can come out now!"
I'm about to ask him who he is talking to when someone peeps from behind the wall with a wide smile. My eyes grow huge with shock and excitement as I watch the young woman walk into the living room, her face registering in my mind.
It can't be!
"Cassie?!" I call her name to make sure she's the one I see.
"Surprise!" She shrieks. I join her, screaming with so much excitement as I draw her in a bear hug.
Cassie was my childhood friend. In fact, she was my only friend since I wasn't very social in middle school or high school. But we parted ways when I went to the UK for college, and Cassie stayed in the US. We kept in touch, and the last time we spoke about a week ago, she was in Paris.
But now, she's here. I can't believe it!
"It's so good to see you again!" I say to her, pulling away to look at her. She looks so good.
"It's so good to see you too! I've missed you so much," She tells me. I coo, pulling her in for another hug.
"I've missed you too," I reply, pulling away again. "Wait, how come you’re here? You told me you were in Paris for business."
"I was, but–" She steals a glance at John, who has been watching us with a smile. "Your uncle told me he was planning a welcome back party for you, and I just had to be here." She explains.
