“I’ll think about it, but I don’t think I can write a great novel. I prefer to be on the other side.”
“You’re wrong. Give it a go.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Hailey… I’ll leave you my number. I need to take Zoë to the vet, so I won’t have time to write emails. If you want, here it is. If not, I wish you a good afternoon and see you tomorrow.”
I decide not to answer him. I sign his number, save his photo, and delete all the emails of the day. Unfortunately, I have to do it. Otherwise, the mailbox fills up immediately, and the system crashes.
Just as I’m about to take a shower, Jeremy calls me.
“Hello, love. How was your day?”
“Very good. I’m just getting into the shower. Yours?”
“I’m tired. But we had a hitch, and I should be home tomorrow for dinner.”
“Okay. Tomorrow morning I’ll go to the bookstore and maybe the shopping center.”
“Why?”
“Why not? I want to go out.”
“Let my mother go for you.”
“Jeremy, I won’t stay at home for eternity.”
“As you like,” he replies nervously. “We’ll talk tomorrow.” He hangs up, leaving me speechless.
After a relaxing shower, I prepare dinner.
I go to eat on the veranda, enjoying the sunset and the calm as I listen to the waves crashing on the beach. I feel alone, so I pick up the phone and text Danny’s number.
“Hi, it’s Hailey. Sorry for bothering you. How did it go at the vet? Is Zoë okay?”
After dinner, I wash the dishes and go for a walk on the beach. The phone buzzes shortly after.
“Hi, Hailey. What a surprise! She had to get the vaccine, she’s fine. A little pouting because she doesn’t like the vet.”
“Nobody likes doctors. Why are you surprised to hear from me?”
“It’s time for dinner. Isn’t your husband jealous that you talk to me?”
“I’ve already had dinner, and I’m on the beach. Yes, he’s too jealous, even if Jeremy has no reason. At the moment, he’s in Chicago. So I’m not worried about it.”
“Being jealous is good. I understand him. We’re also on the beach for our evening run. But we haven’t had dinner yet.”
“It depends on your point of view. Being too jealous could become a problem. Say hello to the puppy for me.”
“Hailey, is everything okay?”
“Sure. Why do you ask?”
“Sorry, just a feeling.”
Back home, I decided that I should start packing for Hong Kong and plan at least a week of work. I’m still picking out which shoes to take when the phone rings. I have earphones, and I answer immediately:
“Have you thought about it?” I ask, assuming that it’s Jeremy.
