Jake flopped down on the couch, Mochi—his and Gaby’s fluffy white-and-brown dog—curled up beside him with a soft “woof.” The house was way too quiet without Gaby’s constant humming, loud music, and chaotic presence. She was on a school trip across the country, a two-week academic tour with her biology class, and it was only day three.

His phone lit up with a FaceTime ring, and he grinned the moment her contact popped up. “Gabs 💛💬.” He picked up, and Gaby’s face filled the screen, framed by her travel hoodie and windblown hair.

“Hi baby,” she said dramatically, already pouting. “I miss you sooo much. This trip sucks without you. Like, it’s cool, but it’s not us cool.”

Jake chuckled. “You’ve been gone for 60 hours.”

“That’s like 200 years in girlfriend time,” she shot back, flopping onto her hotel bed. “Is the house okay? Did you feed Mochi? Does he miss me? Wait—put him on.”

Jake turned the camera to show Mochi, who instantly perked up at Gaby’s voice and started wagging his tail.

“My baby! Oh my gosh, I’m literally crying. Mochi, mommy loves you. Jake, give him a treat from the drawer, the peanut butter ones—not the beef ones, he hates those.”

Jake rolled his eyes affectionately. “Yes, boss.”

“And you?” Gaby said, her voice softening. “You doing okay?”

Jake looked into the camera, trying to play it cool. “I mean, I’m not gonna lie… it’s boring without you.”

She smiled. “Good. You better miss me.”

“I do,” he said honestly. “Like, a lot.”

“I love you,” she said, eyes sparkling.

“Love you more,” he replied.

“Nope. I win,” she smirked, and then yawned. “Okay, I have a museum tour tomorrow at like 7 AM, so I should sleep. But call me when you wake up, okay? I don’t care if I’m busy, just… call.”