“Our lips are sealed,” Katie assured, miming zipped lips and tossing away the key.
“So, back to EJ,” Elinor said. “I think she needs to be told asap.”
Katie sighed. “I don’t think she’ll want to hear it from us.”
“I know she’ll definitely not appreciate hearing it from me,” Jordan said.
She eyed him. “But you’re in Sydney, right?”
“Yeah, obviously not. Which is why I’m here,” he pointed out.
“Oh! Do you mean you have finally moved back home?”
“Yep. And I’ve got no plans to go to Sydney again anytime soon.”
“Oh.” Katie sighed. “Looks like it’s up to you, Ellie.”
“Wunderbar.”
They prayed; then his phone buzzed. He glanced at his phone. His heart thudded.EJ.
No. He ended the call and switched off his phone. He wasn’t ready for this. Not yet. Not now. And he wasn’t sure just how much time he’d need.
She let the phone ring for what felt like ages, but still he didn’t pick up. Not that she could blame him. Not really. She’d been mean and selfish, so he probably didn’t want to talk to her. Which was fair enough.
Still, a smidge of hurt crept in that he’d not taken her call.
She’d slept late this morning, the tears that had chased her to sleep making her puffy-eyed when she finally woke. She’d even contemplated going back to church, but had known she looked too bad for anyone to see her. And besides, she didn’t really want to make her first appearance in weeks when she didn’t have Jordan by her side.
Perhaps she would never have Jordan by her side again.
An ache enlarged within, regrets pushing at her, as forceful as the winds that heaved against the window panes. Aunty Marion’s flat possessed some of the most fantastic views in Sydney, but being right on the harbourfront also meant that they were often at the mercy of the weather. And today felt like winter was trying to do its worst, clattering the flowerpots, bending the leaves of the Norfolk palms outside.
She huddled inside her cosy dressing gown, Uggs on, a cup of hot chocolate in her hand, as she tried calling Jordan again, then stared at the phone, willing him to answer.
It didn’t matter what else she did or how soft and purry Charlie was being or how many episodes ofEscape to the Countryshe watched, nothing could distract her from what was most important. Wanting things restored between herself and Jordan again.
She swallowed, stared at the grey skies where a light rain was now speckling the windows. “Hey, Lord, I know it’s been a little while. But I’m sorry. And I’d really like the chance for Jordan to know that I’m sorry.
Please help him to forgive me.”
Her phone tingled but not with the caller she wanted. She ignored Eric’s call, not having the heart or knowing the words to speak. Maybe it was immature not to answer, but it felt like she needed a template of what to say. Things had changed with that kiss. And now, in the cold light of day, she wondered what he was actually wanting. Her or Dream Match? At times she feltso pushed and pulled she didn’t know anymore. Was this what Jordan had been concerned about?
Regardless, she had no desire to talk to anyone. Anyone except Jordan. And maybe her family. Shoot, today was Dad’s birthday! She was tempted to leave a message but knew he deserved a phone call. So she called her father’s mobile, relieved when it went straight to voicemail.
“Hi Dad. I’m … I’m sorry I didn’t make it back today. I hope your day has been great, and I can’t wait to see you soon. It will be soon, but I don’t know when. Anyway, I love you.”
She ended her call, and her phone immediately beeped its reminder message about Eric’s missed call. Great. He’d left a message. Not that she wanted to listen to it, especially if he was upset about the nonkiss yesterday.
But part of her did as well. Because if she kept avoiding him, what was going to happen with Dream Match? Would he pull his offer?
Which meant she needed to pull on her big girl pants and bite the bullet. So she pressed PLAYto listen to his voice message.
“Hey, EJ, it’s me. Just checking in because I haven’t heard from you today. Anyway, I wanted to see if you were interested in talking with a few more investors this Tuesday night at Bennelong now that I know it’s your favourite place. Call me.”
She wrinkled her nose. Call him? She didn’t know where to begin. Calling him felt fraught with danger, like she might say or do something that only entwined her deeper.
How could she extricate herself from this? It felt like such a huge mess that she didn’t even know where to begin. Right now she’d like nothing more than to run away and put as much distance between Eric and herself as possible. But she couldn’t ditch him, not when she was up to her eyeballs in decisions and layers of stress.
