Page 1 of Strange Seduction (Strange #2)
“Happy birthday to you… Happy birthday to you…Happy birthday, dear Teddy. Happy birthday to you!”
Carmen’s voice came through my phone, scratchy over the speaker but still somehow warm enough to make my chest ache. I stared down at the cake the hotel staff had sent up at her request—chocolate, I guessed, judging by the scent.
Knowing her, she made a big deal about it needing to be vegan.
That part just made me feel sick.
“Thank you, Sweetness,” I said, managing a tired smile.
“Blow out the candles and make a wish.”
“I wish you were here,” I said without hesitation.
She clicked her tongue. “It’s bad luck to say your wish out loud, y’know.”
“I don’t care. I miss you.”
“I know, baby.” Her voice softened with a sigh. “I miss you, too. Now blow out the damn candles.”
I did as she said with a grin, though it felt hollow without her here to tease me about being so close to fifty.
I sighed. “I can’t believe I’m thirty with nothing to show for it.”
With a cocked eyebrow, she gave me that look, and even through FaceTime, I felt it.
“You’re right. Just a successful business, loyal friends, and a loving girlfriend. Poor Theodore. You’ve practically become a cautionary tale.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
She tilted her head, unconvinced. “Then what did you mean?”
“I mean… I thought I’d be further by now. I thought we’d be further. Married, maybe. Or with a kid. Or at least living on the same damn continent.” I glanced away, jaw tight. “Jayda and Tyler live together. Darwin says he and Izzy are finally planning the wedding. Their kid’s almost three.”
“I know.”
“We’ve been together longer than Jayda and Tyler,” I stated with frustration. “Fuck, Carmen, our kid would’ve been—”
The words stuck in my throat, and I swallowed them back. Her face faltered for just a second, then she masked it like she always does.
“I know,” she said again.
“I’m sorry.” The guilt hit fast, and I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Fuck. I’m so sorry, Sweetness. I didn’t mean anything by it. I swear.”
She didn’t say anything right away. She just stared at me through the screen, lips pressed together.
“I know it’s frustrating,” she finally whispered. “But we’ll get there soon. I promise.”
“Yeah.” I nodded, forcing it. “Yeah. I know.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good.” I ran my hand down my face. “Sorry, I even brought it up. I didn’t mean to kill the mood.”
I motioned to the cake, trying to salvage the moment. “I love that you did this. Really. Thank you, my love.”
“You’re welcome,” she said quietly.
“I am sorry, Carmen.”
“It’s okay. Honest.”
I let out a breath, then tried to reroute us into safer territory.
“How’s graduation coming along?”
She exhaled dramatically, either thankful for the switch in topics or relieved that I had stopped mentally kicking myself over the slip-up.
“One more week and I’m out of here,” she grinned.
“God, I wish I could come.” I ran my hand down my face in frustration. “I tried everything. But these rich assholes are breathing down my neck about this new project. If I leave now, they’ll pull out.”
She tilted her head and gave me an understanding look.
“You’ve apologized a thousand times.”
“I know, but still. I hate missing your moment. I really wish I could see you like we planned,” I groaned.
At this point, I was just complaining out loud. Again.
I was tired of it.
Three years of this long-distance bullshit and barely seeing each other, barely having a whole week together.
It was killing me.
The last time we were together was when I flew to California for a weekend. It was a miracle our schedules even aligned for two days, but fuck, was it a good weekend.
That was more than a year ago though, and this was the longest we’d been separated since Eden. To be honest, we were both feeling the anxiousness of being so far apart for so long, and we hoped to reunite. But it just felt like another obstacle in our way. We’ve been getting a lot of those lately.
“Well…” she dragged.
I squinted at the screen. “Well, what?”
The understanding look turned into an amused one.
“I talked to the Dean,” she said, a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. “If I finish all the paperwork and agree to have my diploma shipped, I don’t have to walk at graduation.”
“Wait—What? Why would you not walk at your graduation, Sweetness?”
“If I skip the ceremony,” she went on, “I’ll have more time to move my stuff to New York. And if I rush that, I’ll have a solid two weeks before I’m expected to start at Mr. Dazai’s law firm.”
She paused.
“Two weeks I could spend in Italy. With you.”
My heart stopped. “Baby.”
“I already booked the ticket,” she said, grinning. “Surprise! Happy birthday!”
I wish I could pull her through the screen.
“Fuck, Carmen.” I grabbed my chest, and the ache was replaced. “You’re too good for me.”
She smiled wider. “I know.”
So beautiful.
“Cancel that ticket, baby. You’re not flying commercial.”