Thirty-one
Jenny tucked her phone into her shoulder as she finished drying her hands on a towel and heard the dial tone cut off as Nick’s deep voice answered.
‘Hey, stranger,’ Jenny said, as a wave of longing swept through her. Between her work schedule and his business, they hadn’t managed to see each other since the other day in the pub.
‘Hey, yourself. How was your day?’
‘Pretty good. Busy. How about yours?’
‘Same. I was out all day yesterday showing Susie all the ins and outs of the local restaurant sourcing, so today I was catching up on everything I had to do yesterday that didn’t get done.’
‘But that’s a good thing, isn’t it? That she’s showing an interest?’
‘Yeah, I guess. I mean, I don’t know why now—she’s never wanted to before. All she’s really been focused on was the book side of the business.’
‘Maybe this way she’ll understand things a bit better?’
‘Maybe. Anyway, what are we going to do about this other situation?’
Jenny frowned. ‘What situation?’
‘The situation where all I can think about is how much I miss you and that I need you in a bed beside me—any bed—I don’t care whose.’
Her concern melted into a smile at his words. ‘I’m sure between the two of us we can figure out a solution.’
She detected a muffled conversation then Nick said, ‘Sorry, I’ve got to go downstairs and deal with something. I’ll call you back later?’
‘Sure,’ Jenny said, hoping it wasn’t anything too serious. She hung up, feeling the familiar pang of loneliness that always followed one of their goodbyes. Which was stupid, she reminded herself. She wasn’t some thirteen-year-old pining for her first boyfriend … And yet, here she was.
She looked up as she heard footsteps outside her doorway and called out, ‘Hey, Sav?’
Her daughter stuck her head into the room and raised an eyebrow. ‘Yeah, Mum?’
‘Come in here for a sec. Sit.’ Jenny patted the edge of the bed.
‘What have I done now?’
‘Nothing … Have you?’ Jenny asked.
‘Not that I’m aware of,’ Savannah said, eyeing her mother cautiously.
‘I just want to touch base with you—I barely get to see you anymore. Have you made any decisions since the Bali thing fell through?’
‘Oh, that?’ she replied, scrunching up her nose a little. ‘No. Not really. I’m actually glad I didn’t go now. I’ve kinda been seeing someone.’
‘What? Who?’ Why was she only just finding this out now? ‘When did this all happen?’
‘Calm down, Ma, jeez. Firstly, you wouldn’t know him, he’s not from here. I met him on a dating site, and secondly, it’s only just gotten serious lately.’
‘A dating site?’ Jenny asked, doubtfully. She still had the occasional flashback of awkward conversations and slobbery kisses and gave a small, involuntary shudder. ‘If he’s not from around here then where’s he from?’
‘He’s in Canada.’
‘Canada? Wait.’ Jenny frowned, trying to understand. ‘He’s in Canada, as in,in Canadaright now?’
‘Yes,’ Savannah said slowly.
‘So, you haven’t actually met him yet?’
