Epilogue
Cal places the last of the boxes down in my new dorm room. Being back in Tasker Hall after our summer break is giving me wicked déjà vu, and most of the images that fill my mind are of my boyfriend. Who would have thought that at the start of last year? Definitely not me.
“You really didn’t have to come all the way up here to move me in,” I say, not for the first time. “My parents were more than happy to do it.”
Cal wraps his arms around me from behind and pulls me up against him, placing a quick kiss below my ear.
“It’s my pleasure, love,” Cal replies, and the nearness of his voice and his breath on my sensitive skin sends a shiver through me. It’s been almost a year since our first kiss and he can still do that to me. “Besides, I have to make sure everyone knows that you’re still my gal.”
I roll my eyes, enjoying his mild jealousy, whether he’s teasing or not.
It’s a double-edged sword, though, because I’m just as uneasy about Cal being so far away.
Not that I don’t trust him, I do, but New York City is about a five-hour drive from here.
Sure, there will be the occasional cheap flight we can grab, but with me entering my senior year and him starting a full-time position at McCain Advertising Agency and a part-time MBA program at NYU, it’s not going to be often enough for my liking.
At least I got to spend the past summer in the city with him, both of us doing internships there and sharing an apartment with Cal’s aunt.
Thankfully, Cal is still going to be bunking with her this year, saving up so we can get our own apartment once I graduate in May.
Not gonna lie, visions of Chandler and Monica filled my head when he mentioned living together in Manhattan.
“I am your ‘gal,’ Cal,” I say, chuckling at the rhyme and more so when he grunts in confirmation. Turning around in his arms, I lean up to give him a real kiss.
There’s an intangible sense of dread filling my small dormitory, neither of us wanting to part, but we both know Cal has to leave within the hour to make it back to New York at a decent hour.
Even though he’ll be working full time, he’s also taking night classes to earn his MBA.
He’ll likely be busier than me, but he says he’ll be glad for the extra workload to keep him occupied now that I won’t be there with him.
How sweet is that? I’m so proud of him and I tell him so.
He shrugs off my praise, but he’s smiling.
“I got you something,” Cal says, reaching for a paper bag that I saw him bring in earlier.
“Well, two things actually, first I made an April and Cal playlist on Spotify of all our songs, so you can blast them and feel like I’m still on the other side of your wall. ”
“Aww,” I say, already feeling the loss of not having him next door. And to think, how much his music used to infuriate me and now I’m going to be longing for our ole tune battles.
“And this,” Cal says extending the bag out to me.
“You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I did,” he responds, sounding serious, but grinning like he knows something I don’t.
Eagerly I open it and what I see inside has me bursting out in laughter. Damn, but does this guy keep me laughing. I no longer scorn those giggly girls who used to hang around him, because I get it now.
Reaching into the bag, I pull out a familiar-looking lock and doorknob set.
Cal doesn’t bother to hide the satisfaction that is lighting up his handsome face.
“What?” he asks, holding up his hands, all innocent like.
“It’s in the Thatcher College rule book, not mine.
You know very well there is a strict, no-open-door policy.
” He strolls over to my new connecting door and turns the handle, testing out the current setup.
“Looks to be in order,” he murmurs and returns to me, holding his ‘gift.’ “Consider this a back-up Cal security system to keep you nice and safe should your lock break again. No Roland needed, I’ll come up and install it myself. ”
Now isn’t that the cutest? I arch an eyebrow and try my best to look affronted. “Keep me safe from what?”
“From anyone who isn’t me.”
“I don’t want anyone else but you,” I affirm, and Cal grunts with pleasure. “Hmm … why is high-handed Cal such a turn on?”
Cal waggles his eyebrows. “I knew I turned you on.”
I make a move to swat him, but Cal catches my wrist and pulls me up against his chest. I sigh, all my indignation evaporating as our bodies touch. I feel a vice on my heart. Yup, I am going to miss this. I’m ridiculously in love with my annoying neighbor. Who would have thought?
“Speaking of that door,” Cal says in a deep voice, “I think we should christen it before I go.”
He spins us, pinning me between the hard surface and his chest before I can argue … not that I was going to.
Oh yeah, I think with a sigh. This is a much better start to my school year than the one before.
I can’t wait for post college together, too.