“It’s a brilliant idea.” Hattie flipped the page and smiled. “You’ve included the Petersons.”
“Good photo of Noah, don’t you think?” She saw Hattie’s cheeks turn pink.
“Yes.”
Claudia didn’t probe. It really wasn’t her business and she was the last person to offer advice on relationships.
“Are we inviting suppliers to dine in the restaurant? Because we should.”
“Involve them more?” Hattie was scribbling frantically. “You’re right. This is all great, Claudia. Can I ask you another favor?”
“Of course.” Claudia finished her coffee. “Anything.”
“I’ve written a job description for the head chef job. Would you take a look?”
Claudia felt her bubble of enthusiasm deflate. She hated the idea of someone else taking over the kitchen at the Maple Sugar Inn, which was ridiculous because she was on vacation and leaving in a few days. “Sure. Email it to me. I also thought maybe we could—” She broke off as her phone rang. “Sorry. I thought I’d switched it off.” She picked it up and saw “John” on the caller display.
John?
Her mouth dried and her fingers shook slightly. They hadn’t spoken since the day he’d walked out on their shared life six months earlier.
“Take it. We can finish this later.” Hattie stood up. “I’ll give you privacy.”
Claudia didn’t ask how Hattie knew that this phone call needed privacy.
She waited for Hattie to leave and then took the call.
She said nothing, because she honestly didn’t know what to say.
“Claudia? Claudy?” His use of his pet name for her made her wince. Pet names were for people who cared for each other, and he’d made it clear he didn’t care for her.
“What do you want, John?” All the misery and insecurity she’d spent six months blocking out came rushing back.
“It’s good to hear your voice.”
Her knees shook and she felt a rush of longing and immediately hated herself for it. This man had treated her with no respect. “If you’d wanted to hear my voice, you could have contacted me at any time.”
“I’m sorry. I behaved badly and I know I have a lot of work to do to persuade you to forgive me. How are you?”
How was she? She’d been doing just fine until she’d answered this call. And what did he mean, forgive him? What made him think she’d forgive him? And why did he want her to?
“What do you want, John? Why are you calling now, after six months of silence?”
“You’re angry. I can understand that. I wasn’t expecting this to be an easy call. I deserve everything you throw at me.”
If he’d been in the room there were plenty of things she might actually have thrown at him.“I’m busy. Can we make this quick?”
“Where are you? I expected you to be in the apartment when I arrived, and my key isn’t working.”
She tightened her grip on the phone. “You’re in the apartment?”
“Outside our apartment, which apparently, I can no longer access. Is there a problem with the locks?”
“I had them changed.” She sent silent thanks to Erica, who had arranged it. “And the apartment ceased to beourswhen you moved out with no warning and stopped contributing to the rent.” For the past six months it had been a roof over her head, nothing more. “As for where I am—I’m away with Erica and Anna. Book club.”
She had no idea why she’d told him that, except perhaps to prove that she was still living her life. That his actions hadn’t broken her.
“Doesn’t that happen in the summer?”
