Evening well spent

“The Ukrainian model? Yeah, she's beautiful.” I try to sound as casual as I can. My head swims into all sorts of different permutations and combinations.

“Selena, look, it won't be a big deal. It’s just a formal evening and you know I love you, don’t you?” he asks. I can make out how he is trying to calm me down and slow my breathing, but I just can’t stop my palpitations.

“Hunter, stop it. As long as you're home before midnight,” I reply calmly. I hear him laugh as the tension seems to disappear.

“I will be home even before you know I went out, my beautiful,” he says. I am about to start talking about my university classes when Sophia takes the phone from my hand.

“Hi, bro. All’s fine with me, thank you for asking,” she taunts while rolling her eyes in jest. “Please don't bother Selena with boring things. We have to go because we're going bowling. Say you love her.”

She puts the cellphone to my ear and I hear the sweet words. I say the same. Sophia puts the phone back to her ear. “I