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“I crashed on the couch while he was still taking shots,” I groaned. “At least I know what to bring him back from my trip.” My stomach churned as I pushed myself up. “Which reminds me, I’ve still got to pack. What was I thinking last night?”
“You were thinking you desperately wanted to make friends with your—my brother.” My heart twisted as she stopped herself from saying, “brother-in-law.”
“I fell asleep in Italy. Can we pick up where we left off when I get home?”
“Did you like the movie at all?” She asked nervously.
I kissed her, lingering as she melted against me. “Very much. I can’t wait to see the end.”
“When you get back home?”
“When I get back home.”
* * *
I stood in another nondescript hotel room in Austin, Texas. Pushing open the curtains, I took in the city skyline, hazy with heat despite being well into fall. I missed home. I missed Trashcan. Most of all, I missed Nora.
The clock on the bedside table turned over from 5:59 to 6:00. I grabbed my phone, pulled up her number from my favorites, and pressed the phone to my ear.
“Prompt as always,” Nora teased as she picked up the phone. Trashcan’s nails clattered over the sound of sizzling.
“Making dinner?”
“I got home a little late today. I stayed after class to start a study group.”
I grinned. “First week of classes and you’re starting a study group? You’re already a better student than I ever was.”
“I need a study group. I’m probably already behind.”
“You’re doing great,” I reassured her. “How’s Trashcan coping with your new schedule?”
“He’s fine. Tammy is taking him for a walk in the morning while I’m gone.”
“You haven’t come up with a better name yet?” I teased.
“I’m still mulling it over. Maybe Ferdinand?”
“That dog is not a Ferdinand,” I laughed.
“I guess not.”
“He is a little bit of a Trashcan, though.” I walked away from the window and opened the hotel brochure, flipping to the room service menu.
“It’s not happening. I won’t allow my dog to be called Trashcan,” she said emphatically.
I didn’t believe her.
“What are your plans this weekend?”
“Dinner with Thea and Millie tonight, drinks with Cal on Saturday, and then dinner at Len’s on Sunday.”
“Jam-packed,” I mused.
“I’m about to burn dinner. I should go,” Nora sighed heavily. “I—" She stopped herself short. “We miss you. The dog and I.”
“I miss you too. Have a good night.”
I pushed back a stab of disappointment and hung up sooner than I would have liked. Other than a quick text before bed, I wouldn’t hear from her again until tomorrow, which should have been comforting but left me feeling empty. Did I want Nora sitting around missing me as much as I missed her?
