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“I miss you too. And I miss our talks.”

“Our talks? Is this what this call is about?” His voice goes cold.

“I need your advice.”

“My advice?” His tone is incredulous and not professional at all.

I take a breath, dig deep for courage and push it out of my mouth. “Yes. You see, there’s this guy I like, and I’m not sure how to tell him. We had a bit of a misunderstanding and a fight. I want to let him know how very attracted I am to him. I want to let him know how much I miss him, and how much I care about him. So, how should I do this?”

“Have you tried just saying the words?” His voice softens.

“I’m not that great at expressing myself. What if he’s changed his mind and doesn’t want to be with me anymore?” I hold my breath.

“He hasn’t.”

“I come with a lot of baggage. What if he tires of me?”

“He won’t. He has baggage of his own too.”

“Do you think there’s a chance this guy cares for me as much as I care for him?”

“He loves you, Becca.”

Oh my God. My heart stops for a second and then resumes beating so fast it’s like a sonic boom inside my chest. “I love him too.”

“You should invite him to come to commencement tomorrow to talk to you.”

My entire body is trembling. “Do you want to come to commencement tomorrow and see me graduate?”

“I’d love to.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow.”

Chapter Fifty-Six

The weather isperfect for graduation day. Clear blue skies. The sun is shining, and a balmy breeze ruffles the flowers and leaves on the trees that I can see through my dorm room window.

How long have I waited for this day? It’s finally here.

I adjust my cap, grab the green stole and put it over my shoulders and look at myself in the mirror hanging on the back of my door. The stole makes my eyes look greener. I can’t stop grinning. A knock on the door makes me jump.

“Come on down, it’s showtime!” Tommy’s voice calls from the other side.

I open the doors and get squished in a hug before I can even say a word.

He steps back, takes a bow. “My lady.”

I grab my cell phone and keycard and put them in my pocket.

He gives me his arm. “Ready?”

“Yes.” I take his arm and close the door behind us.

The ceremony is being held in the campus Green. The biggest open area at Riggins. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of chairs have been set up in front of a large stage decorated in black and green. The same colors of my gown and stole.

Tommy walks me to the area where all the graduating students are gathering. Organized by major and last name.