‘Yeah,’ he agreed. ‘I’ll handle it.’
Hanging up, Ward immediately checked through his social media notifications to assess the extent of the damage.
Huh. Good thing Hannah had switched screen alerts off, otherwise the thing would’ve been lighting up like a Christmas tree. Some faint ribbing here and there, but it wasn’t all that bad. Still, it was bad enough that he was guaranteed to get some heavy-duty blowback in the locker room.
But then he also noticed a couple of missed calls from Hannahearlier. He called her back, but since it was late, it just went straight to voicemail.
‘Hey,’ he growled, leaving her a message, ‘you and I need to have another talk. When I said comic book, I didn’t mean Yogi-freakin’-Bear. Call me. Asap.’
Chapter 31
HANNAH
Hey P-1,
It’s P-2 over here checking in. I hope you’ve been feeling better lately and that life is treating you kindly. I’m working with someone right now – a client who’s also been dealing with some health issues, so I totally understand what you’re going through. It can be incredibly difficult to truly know what to do when you aren’t facing it yourself – outside of being supportive and empathetic – so please understand that I am sending nothing but good, healing vibes your way.
And actually, I have something to thank you for. You might not realize it, but your words inadvertently gave me some inspiration of late, valuable inspiration that helped me in my own professional life. I’m always looking for sources of inspiration and appreciate the advice from those older and wiser than me. So thank you, it’s much appreciated.
It was only when Hannah was in the middle of her microwave spaghetti, still thinking about Ed’s comment about being useful, that a thought struck her. That perhaps by appealing to his wisdom and generational experience she might go some way toward helping him feel that way again.
And the truth was that hehadgiven her some inspiration lately, given it was his remarks about ‘straight talking’ and ‘upgrades’ that had kicked off the first stage of her plans for Ward McKenzie’s image overhaul. So she wasn’t lying.
But re-reading her words, she worried momentarily that Ed might well suspect that she was sucking up instead of taking it as a compliment. And was again reminded of the co-op board dispute and impending lawsuit.
That wouldn’t do.
No, she decided then. She hadn’t said anything untoward. She was just being a friendly neighbour and it could only help Courtney too in the long run if she returned and the guy next door’s attitude toward her had made a complete 360 transformation.
Hannah folded the piece of paper and taking a plate of Rice Krispie buns that were so fresh the chocolate was still a little wet, she headed for the door, hoping that Ed was home so that she could say all of this in person. If not, she’d leave the note to let him know that she understood. And the treats too.
But just as she was about to leave, her phone buzzed on the kitchen countertop, indicating an incoming text. As was her habit, she switched it to silent in the evenings and the current slew of missed notifications validated her decision.
But spying the origin of the most recent message, Hannah realized this was one she couldn’t ignore. Heart in her throat, she set the plate back down and clicked on the message, opening it fully.
Hey stranger … LA hasn’t been the same since you left.
The blood rushed to her face, and she felt light-headed. Words from someone she’d truly believed was in her rear-view mirror.
She quickly tossed her phone back on the counter, but Hannah knew it was too late. The sender would have already been alerted to the fact that she’d read the message.
And the follow-up merely confirmed it.
I need to see you.
Chapter 32
WARD
‘Well, hello. I swear you only come out of wherever it is you hide when you want to be fed.’
As if on cue, the cat mewed and Ward figured that was a direct order. He leaned down, grimacing ever so slightly at the action.
Placing some food in Pretzel’s bowl and offering breakfast to his feline friend, he once again felt his mood grow dark about the latest coverage and the fact that Hannah still hadn’t returned his call from yesterday. But it was late when he called so maybe she switched her phone off outside of work hours or something. God knows the damn thing bugged the hell out of you, wanting to be picked up, stroked and played with. Something he’d already known, of course, hence his refusal to ‘get with the times’.
But like it or not, he was part of the collective now. Well and truly assimilated.
Despite himself, he chuckled. Maybe Hannah was actually the Borg Queen in disguise. As if on cue, his tormentor buzzed – but another name popped on the caller ID, and Ward’s foul mood instantly returned. For a moment, he debated not taking it, sending it to voicemail. But he knew that would only delay the inevitable.
