33. Callie
Chapter 33
Callie
July 2023
Being in New York with Mason is more than I could ever ask for. We’ve done many of the things I’d talked to him about while we planned my visit. My time up here is shorter than I’d like but I can’t leave work for too long. We’ve got to work with what we can right now.
We’ve had so much fun touring different museums, trying restaurants that neither of us have been to, and just enjoying each other’s company. Not to mention that kiss when he picked me up from the airport. I wasn’t expecting that but don’t regret that it happened.
Mason has cooked me dinner twice now. I could get used to this. I want to get used to this. I’ve got a lot of thinking to do once I’m back home. So much to figure out.
My phone buzzes with an incoming text. Looking down at my screen I see it’s from Jo Ellen. I click the notification to open the message.
Jo Ellen : Cal! Is it okay if I call you that? I heard Mason call you that while he was down here and loved it. Anyway, how’s New York?! How are things going with Mason?
Me : Lol! Cal is fine! He’s been calling me Cal since high school. New York is beautiful, although I don’t know if I could handle living here. I don’t know how Mase does it. There are so many people, so many cars, so many… well everything. Things with him are going well. We’ve done a lot of touristy things, which I’m sure he’s loved (but hasn’t complained about), and it’s just been nice being able to spend one-on-one time with him.
Jo Ellen : Don’t even get me started on the traffic up there. I’m glad things are going well and that you’re enjoying your time up there. Touristy things, huh? Pissing the locals off?
Me : Eh, I don’t think so. We’re just having fun. We’ve visited a couple of museums. I’ll show you the pictures that I’ve taken when I get home.
Jo Ellen : Okay! Have fun and enjoy the little time you’ve got left! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
I heart react to her last message before placing my phone back down on the end table. Mason left about 20 minutes ago to run into town and grab us something to eat. I decided to stay here and take a quick shower before we began our cozy night in. We’ve been go-go-go since I got here yesterday so tonight, we decided to watch a movie while eating takeout. Mason knows the quickest way to my heart… through Chinese food.
I’m braiding my wet hair when I hear the front door open. I finish tying the bottom of my hair before walking out to meet Mason in the kitchen. I am in love with his apartment. It’s a newer build so it’s got all updated appliances, bright white walls, and granite countertops in both the kitchen and the bathrooms. You can definitely tell a man lives here by himself, though, because there’s hardly anything on the walls or really any decor at all. The opposite of my house.
When I bought my house, I spent approximately two months’ paychecks at Hobby Lobby buying all kinds of decor and artwork to hang on my walls. I love expressing myself with the many different types and styles of decor and my house proves it.
“Oh yum, it smells so good! Thank you for grabbing us dinner for a night in.”
“The car ride back was torture because of how good it smells.” Mase laughs. “I’m thankful for our night in, too. I don’t think I’ve walked that much outside of a gym in a long time.”
“My legs needed a break too. Let’s eat! Any idea what movie you’d like to watch?”
“I figured I’d let you pick since you’re the guest.” He winks at me before turning to grab some plates out of the cabinet.
“Hmm, maybe I’ll find a cheesy Hallmark movie. I know how much you love them.” I laugh as I grab two forks out of the drawer.
“Hey, it wouldn’t be the first time.”
We both break into laughter, and I know it’s because we’re remembering all those times in high school when I’d make him sit and watch them with me.
We make our plates, grab our drinks, and head into the living room. Mason pulls the coffee table closer to the couch so that we can put our plates on it while we lounge in front of the television.
Grabbing the remote I click on the TV, navigating my way to the streaming services. I see an ad for Top Gun: Maverick and immediately click play. I’ve been wanting to watch this and I’m pretty sure Mason won’t be upset with the choice.
“Cal, you don’t have to pick a movie for me.”
“Calm down, Mase. I’ve been wanting to watch this for a while.”
“Okay, if you say so. I don’t want you to think you can’t pick one of your Hallmark movies.”
“You’ve watched more than enough of them with me. I know you’ll do it without complaint, but I’m serious. The trailer for this looks amazing.”
The movie begins playing and we sit there in silence while we eat.
“I remember watching the original Top Gun with my dad and I love how this is so similar but also different. I don’t even know if that makes sense, but it does to me.” I say, after yawning.
“I agree. This is great and Tom Cruise is the only actor I’ll ever see as Maverick.” Mason replies, cuddling in closer.
“Grabbing takeout was a good decision, too. Although, I think I ate too much. I am stuffed.”
After washing up from dinner we lay on the couch while another movie plays in the background but we’re not paying much attention to it.
“So now that we’re officially dating again… how are we going to navigate things once you’re back in Georgia?” Mason asks.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t even want to think about all of the time we’ll be missing out on and only being able to talk on the phone or video chat. It’s not going to be easy or fun but we’ll have to make it work for now.”
“It’s a good thing phone plans are different than they used to be. Waiting to call until after 9 pm wouldn’t work for me.” Mason laughs. He’s not wrong though. If we had to wait until after 9 pm to talk on the phone, we’d probably never talk. Both of us are in bed by then, usually.
“I’d love to come up here again. I’m sure your parents would love for you to come back down to Georgia soon, too. We’ll have to make weekend visits work in between phone calls. As sucky as it will be.”
“If that’s all I get, it’ll still be worth it. I’m not giving up this time. I promise.”
I readjust myself so that I’m facing Mason and that’s when I notice he smells the same as he did in high school—cedarwood and spruce. He’s either using the same products or this is just his scent . I loved the scent back then and now it’s even better.
I’m not sure how long we lay there talking about our future plans and goals. My eyes are starting to get heavy, so I turn and lay my head on his shoulder. He starts to sit up, but I hold him back.
“Please don’t move. I’d be one hundred percent happy just laying like this for a while longer.”
“Your wish is my command, Cal.”