He looks genuinely taken aback by my sudden abrasiveness, a choked sound escaping as he opens his mouth, though no words follow. I hadn’t meant for it to come out cold and sharp, and from the guilty look that crosses his face, I may have been a little too harsh.
“I’m sorry. That was rude of me. I’ve just been in a bit of an off mood lately. I don’t blame you for what happened. But, if you’re curious, Adrian and I are divorced now. I feel the need to thank you for making me see what a deceiving arsehole he really is.”
His expression softens in an instant, empathy flickering in his eyes. “No need to thank me, Hope. I would’ve done the same for anyone in that situation. I’m just sorry it had to come to this. You deserve better.”
“I know I do. That’s why I moved back here. To start over.”
“You’re back in Sydney?”
“Yes I am.”
“You know,” he starts, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve been wanting to check in on you and see how you were doing. But I wasn’t sure if you wanted to hear from me again.”
“To be honest, it was probably a good thing you didn’t. I wasn’t in the right headspace to talk to anyone outside of my family. It’s been a rough year.”
“I can imagine. But I’m glad to hear you’re back home, surrounded by people who love and support you. It’ll make the process of moving on a little easier.”
I nod, offering him a small, tentative smile. “Yeah… I hope so. Anyway, are you looking for something in particular?”
“I am, actually. I’m just not entirely sure what I’m looking for yet. I moved into my apartment at Morton Hill over a year ago, and I haven’t really done much to the place. It’s a little too modern for my taste, so I’m hoping to soften it by bringing in a few plants.”
“Oh, I know the area. I live in the next suburb, in Merryville.”
“Serious? What a small world.”
“Sure is.”
He chuckles, and for a few moments we simply stand there, awkwardly holding each other’s gaze.
I cough lightly, breaking the quiet. “Okay, well, before you go off randomly selecting plants you have no idea how to keep alive, there are a few things you should probably think about first. Things like how much natural light the space gets, the plant’s watering needs, the temperature and humidity of the room, proper drainage, and whether you’re after something low-maintenance.”
“I can tell you now, straight off the bat, I have considered none of those things.”
“Kaden!” I chuckle, shaking my head.
“What?” He laughs. “I’ve never had to take care of a single plant in my life. I’m basically clueless.”
“Yeah, I can tell,” I tease. “For a complete beginner, I’d suggest starting with something low-maintenance. That way, when you forget to water it, or accidentally neglect it for a while, it won’t end up looking like a shrivelled corpse.”
“Well, if you’re not in a hurry to leave, I’d love to get your opinion on some of the ones I pick.”
I hesitate, caught off guard by the unexpected invitation. “Actually, I have to run. I’ve got a lot to do around the house that can’t wait any longer.”
“Oh—yeah. Of course,” he responds, swallowing his disappointment. “I’ve already taken up enough of your time. It was really good seeing you again, Hope, and I truly wish you all the best.”
“Thanks. And you, too. With the plant hunting and all.”
He offers a small smile, and instead of leaving right away, we just stare at each other—blinking, lingering. Then, as if my body has finally remembered itself, I turn and walk away.
After just a few steps, I spin around and call out to Kaden. He’s still in the exact spot I left him, watching me intently, motionless.
“If you’re free tomorrow,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel, “My son will be spending a few hours at his uncle’s place, so I’ll have a bit of time to help you pick out some plants.”
His mouth curls into a broad smile. “I’m free.”
“Okay.” I nod slowly. “I’ll call in the morning.”
“You still have my number?”
