AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"It's just a day. What's the big deal?"
She mocked him in her head with annoyance and said, "Don't tell me she's living with you?"
"How would that be appropriate? We've only been on one date."
"Well, now you're just copying my words. And I mean, I don't know. You guys are moving pretty fast."
"She just wanted to watch a movie together."
"Don't you have work— Why are you laughing?" she squeaked.
"I didn't skip work. I don't take offs, Pigtails. You've lost your mind. Look at your clock, it's eight in the evening."
She paused. "Oh, right."
"Giselle?" Chris called. "Are you jealous or something?"
She mimicked him, but then realized he hadn't seen her doing that, felt stupid, and said, "Yeah, sure, after you're done with your facial surgery."
Chris burst out laughing, making her smile. An emotion burned within her that felt strangely like home. It felt like a long time had passed since she'd heard someone laughing. It was a lovely sound to listen to. She could get used to it.
He gasped in between fits. "God! I love—" Chris stopped as soon as he'd begun.
"You what?"
He cleared his throat in response, all traces of humor gone.
It was a revelation. Giselle said, "I've never actually heard you say that to me! Why must I always be the one saying it? Why don't you say that you love me?"
"It's weird," said Chris.
She huffed. "No, it's not.You'reweird."
"Would Gichee Gichee Goo suffice? Wait no, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little."
She closed her eyes and let out a long dramatic sigh, then mumbled, "I don't know how we're still friends."
He snickered, and her lips stretched into a smile again.
She said, "Since you so benevolently reminded me how late it was, I think I'm gonna go to bed." She could just see him smiling in the back of her mind.
"Will you be able to sleep?" he asked. Nostalgia hit her at the question. "I'm just gonna drop Abby off in thirty minutes, and then I'll be done for the day if you need me."
She sighed at his perfection. "I'm good. Don't worry."
"Sure?"
"Yeah. I miss you."
She heard him let out a chuckle that sounded more defeated than a sigh, making her wonder if he was okay.
The call ended after he said, "Ditto."
And with a smile on her face, Giselle lay on her bed again and drifted off to dreamless slumber.
Chapter 9
The moment Giselle lay her eyes on Xavier, she knew he hadn't slept the two days they were parted. He looked visibly thinner, dark circles formed under his eyes, and his hair was disheveled, lips dry. He leaned against the rock they usually sat on in their secret spot, watching her as she approached him.
