She opens her mouth like she wants to say something else but shakes her head, gives me one last smile, and then heads for the gate to let herself out.
While I stand there like an awkward asshole.
Jessica trots to my side, then squats and pees beside me while she glares at me.
“She’s coming back,” I mutter. “And I’m leaving. Okay?”
She snorts on my leg.
Spain will be so,sogood for me.
6
From the text messages of Ziggy and Holt
Ziggy:Good morning. (Afternoon? Where are you in Europe? Which time zone? If you want to tell me. Which you don’t have to. But I was texting with my roommate from the ship yesterday and she said the weather’s been super hot over there too. I hope you’re in a cooler area.) I got moved in quick and easy yesterday. Thank you for the note about which bedroom to use and for the contractor schedules. Jessica and I went on a walk today and one of the neighbors recognized her and asked if I was your girlfriend. Something happened with my mouth and I told her that I’m your kept woman. It won’t happen again, but I thought you should know in case your neighbor texts you.
Holt:Which neighbor?
Ziggy:I’d say “the older one,” but I realized you’re right. The average age in this neighborhood has to be at least seventy-five. This one was watering a bed of white flowers three houses down.
Holt:Ok
Ziggy:Once on the ship, a colleague told a guest that he was dating me. That guest thought we were cute, and by the end of the cruise, neither of us could work a shift without at least four people congratulating us on our engagement. It was awkward. Especially when someone posted a congrats to us on their socials and his boyfriend saw. I know better than to spread relationship rumors and I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.
Holt:Ok
Ziggy:Thanks for understanding. Glad we had this talk.
Ziggy, two days later:Does Jessica have any toy restrictions?
Holt:What does that mean?
Ziggy:I took her to a dog park this morning before my interview and she was trying to eat a toy that was half her size. I got a little worried that she’d hurt her neck.
Holt:No small toys. Big toys are fine.
Ziggy:Choking hazards are being avoided. Unrelated—I got a new job and once I get official documentation of steady income again for the loan company, I’ll be making an offer on a house too, but I won’t leave Jessica hanging if I move in to my new place before you get back.
Holt:Ok
Ziggy:Is this a bad time to text you?
Holt:No
Ziggy:Is this a good time to text you?
Holt:It’s fine
Ziggy:Great. The plumber came by this afternoon to take some measurements and he said that the bathtub you picked for the hallway bathroom won’t fit without moving a wall. Would you rather pick a new bathtub or move a wall?
Holt:Pick a new bathtub
Ziggy:I’ll have him send you options.
Holt:Don’t care. You pick
Ziggy:You want me to pick a new bathtub?
