Hope:It will go perfectly in my new and improved garden.
Me:When would you like it delivered to you?
Hope:I’m home after 6pm on weekdays.
Me:I’ll have my mate Jason’s truck tomorrow. He can help me bring it over then, if that works for you?
Hope:Sure, that’s fine. You can come by at 6:30, right after dinner.
Me:Too easy. I shall see you then.
Hope:See youthen, Kaden.
Before switching the device off, I take a quick screenshot of Hope’s address and make sure it’s saved in my photo gallery. Next thing I do is call Jason to see if I could borrow his truck again tomorrow. He picks up after the fourth ring.
“What’s up?” he answers.
“Not much. I’m still at work, but I was calling to see if I could borrow your truck tomorrow.”
“What for?”
“I’ve got another delivery. Someone just bought the planter bench, and I might need your help carrying it.”
“Is that the concrete and jarrah wood bench that you built a month ago?”
“That’s the one.”
“Nice! I loved that bench. I even considered getting it for myself if I could’ve found the space for it.”
“All good. Well, it seems someone else loves it too.”
“Amazing! I knew it wouldn’t be too long before someone snapped it up. It really is an incredible piece.”
“Thanks, man! I really appreciate that.”
“So, what time do you need me to pick you up?”
“Meet at mine around five-thirty in the evening?”
“I can do that for you. Oh, and I’ve been meaning to call you about that rocking chair you made for Mila. She wanted me to pass on her thanks and tell you she’s never sat in anything more comfortable. She absolutely loves it. And I don’t know about you, but I reckon that might’ve cracked her armour a little… just saying.”
I let out a quiet chuckle and shake my head. I hadn’t built the chair to claw my way back into her good graces. Truthfully, I wasn’t even sure she’d keep it; I’d half-expected to see it abandoned on the kerb, unwanted. It was simply a gift—one I’d made for her after Isla was born, no strings attached.
“I’m glad she loves it. It should last her for years and hopefully see a few more babies along the way.”
“We’re not in a hurry for another one just yet, but I will tell ya—it’s been pretty fun practicing.”
“Too much info, you fucker! I don’t really need to know what you get up to with my ex-sister-in-law.”
He chuckles, and I can almost see the smug smirk on his face right now.
“Alright, be ready at five-thirty tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you then.”
We end the call, and this time I tuck my phone into the top drawer, out of reach and out of temptation. I’ve already lost nearly an hour to texting and personal calls. The last thing I want is to stay late just to make up for it.
But even as I sit here, staring absentmindedly at the computer screen, I already know I won’t be able to focus, not when all I can think about is seeing Hope at her house, and how much I’m totally looking forward to it.
