Lovelike

"I have to fart right now but I'm holding it because I love you."

I lifted my head off of Christopher's lap and looked at him and smiled. Not only did I appreciate the not farting with my head in such close proximity, but he said those three words in succession when he wasn't on the phone with his parents. And I was the only person in the room. I think. I'm not sure where the dog was.

"I mean, I like you," Christopher corrected.

"Are you serious?" I exclaimed. "You're just going to take it back?" I sat up and threw a pillow at him.

"I'm not ready to say it yet," Christopher spoke quietly. His brows furrowed and I think he was talking to himself. He straighted up and looked at me. "Hey, Medium is back on. Turn up the volume."

"Do you love Medium? Or do you like Medium?" I teased.

We laughed and as I adjusted myself back in his lap, my knee popped loudly.

"Was that your knee?" he asked.

"Yeah." I made googly eyes at him, "Do you love my knee? Or do you like my knee?

"I hate your knee!" he laughed back at me. "I love you as a person," he tried.

"Eww, that's what people say about their grandmas!" I squealed.

"What? No they don't." He paused for a moment, "Look, I lovelike you, okay?"

"Lovelike?"

"Yeah."

And that's the status as of now. Lovelike. It's the first time I ever heard that sentiment. On one hand, I'm kind of disappointed he didn't own his slip up. However, on the other hand I'm kind of glad the memory of I love you wasn't over a fart. I made a pact with a friend at work that neither of us would be the first ones to say it; we were going to wait for the cues of our men.

And so I continue to wait.