"Hey," I answer, smiling because I'm happy he called.
"I miss you like you wouldn't believe. I just had to tell you that."
"That's why you called?"
"That, and because I wanted to hear your voice. Can you talk or are you busy?"
"I have a few minutes. So what's going on? Have you seen Grams today?"
"Yeah, she brought breakfast over to Pops."
"Really? Is she still over there?"
"Yeah, she's working in the garden and he's making his toy trains in the shed. I have to say, it's kinda nice seeing them out there together."
"Meaning what?"
"Meaning I wasn't sure I liked the two of them dating. No offense, but I didn't really trust your grandma after the way she treated Pops. I didn't want her getting his hopes up only to break his heart. But seeing them now, they both seem really happy. I think this might last."
"I'm starting to think that too." I pause. "I wish I could say the same for us."
"About that."
"Yeah?" I ask, my pulse quickening, not sure if I should be worried or hopeful about what he's going to say next.
"Never mind. I shouldn't say it."
"You can't leave me hanging like that. What were you going to say?"
"Let's talk when you get home."
"I can't wait that long. Just tell me."
"Well, I was thinking last night that maybe I don't need to be in such a rush to leave. I need a job but I don't want to take just anything. And I really want to have more time with you. What do you think?"
"I think it's a great idea! You know I don't want you to leave."
"I'm only talking about a month or two. That'd give me more time to find a job I'd actually want. But staying longer will also make it that much harder to leave."
"It'll be hard no matter when you leave. So stay. Please?"
"I was hoping you'd say that." I hear a lift in his tone and picture that sexy smile of his. "When will you be home? I miss you like crazy."
"I have class until three and then I'll be at the youth center until five. But we could have dinner tonight and then maybe you could hang out at my place while I do some reading for class. I'm guessing Grams will be over at Walter's."
"I doubt it. If she keeps spending time here, it'll give away her secret."
"She already knows I know."
"You told her?"
"No, but I hinted at it in a very obvious way. Then she hinted that I should tell her about you and me."
"So she knows."
"She suspects. She doesn't know for sure." My phone alarm chirps, reminding me I need to get class. "I have to go. I'll see you tonight."
"Yeah. Bye."
On my way to class, I'm beyond happy knowing Tyler's going to stick around a little longer. Even it's just a few more weeks more, I'll take it.
The afternoon continues and I feel even happier as I think about my life right now. Before I moved here I was worried I wouldn't like it, but it's turned out to be great. I'm loving grad school and I'm having fun living with Grams, although I wish she wouldn't keep such close tabs on me. And then there's Tyler, who makes me happy even when I'm just thinking about him. I didn't think I'd meet anyone to date in this small town but then I end up meeting this great guy who makes me feel more alive than I've ever felt.
My first day at the youth center goes well and I leave there thinking things couldn't get any better. Tyler will eventually leave so I know this high I'm on won't last, but I'm going to stay on it as long as I can.
And so I do. For the rest of the week, I pretend Tyler isn't leaving and just enjoy every minute I have with him. Every day after class I go straight to his house and either study while he works on the car or we go out back to the gardens and talk, or sometimes we go to my house and watch TV. On the weekend he takes me out on another date but to a nicer restaurant, and then we go to a bar by the college to hear a band. I love being out with him. It makes me feel like we're a couple, unlike at home where we're always trying to hide our relationship from Grams