by Emma Collins
“Sure,” Hayley said, doing her best to keep the excitement out of her voice as she took a seat. She’d spent last night wondering when she’d bump into Nina’s gorgeous friend again, and she never thought it would be this soon, or that she’d be sitting down across from her.
“Thanks,” Jenna said as she lifted her glass, “And cheers. To Nina’s backpacking trip,” she said with a smile. “May she come back in one piece.”
Hayley laughed softly. “To Nina.” She took a sip, pushing the umbrella out of the way as she savored the cold fruity drink.
“What’s your tattoo say?” Jenna asked, her head angled to try and read the black ink on the inside of her right forearm.
Hayley leaned forward, stretching her arm out so Jenna could get a better look. “Are you watching Gentleman Jack?”
“Gentleman who?”
“Jack. The TV show.”
“No... Never heard of it.”
Hayley suppressed a chill as Jenna’s index finger trailed over the ink on her arm. She cleared her throat before she spoke. “You should check it out.”
“I am looking for something to watch. I haven’t seen one episode of Game of Thrones or whatever else everyone’s been watching. I was too busy working.”
“Put this on the top of your list,” Hayley said. “It’s based on a true story about Anne Lister, which sometimes I forget. It’s amazing, really. She was searching for a wife in the 1830s. She just lived a life that was true to herself, even back then.”
“So, what’s the tattoo about?” Jenna asked as she sat back, withdrawing her hand.
“She kept these diaries, an account of her life, with plenty of details about her love life too. She wrote some of it in code,” Hayley said, glancing down at her tattoo. “And this is written in that crypt hand. It’s a quote of hers. It says, ‘I love and only love the fairer sex.’ The second I heard it, and then when I found out it was a direct quote, I knew I had to get it.”
Jenna nodded. “Wow. I’ll definitely look into it. Sounds interesting and much more meaningful than my tattoo.”
“What’s yours?”
Jenna sighed. “I got matching tattoos with my ex-girlfriend. It’s a butterfly on my shoulder blade,” she said, reaching around to touch it as she shook her head. “I’m not sure what I was thinking. I wasn’t even drunk.”
“Have you thought about getting it covered up?”
“Not really. I forget it’s there, but maybe I should. That suits you,” Jenna said, her eyes flickering down to Hayley’s tattoo again. “So, you liked this show enough to get a tattoo, huh? That’s a serious endorsement.”
“It’s not even about the show. I don’t want to give anything away, but this was almost two hundred years ago, and this woman just wanted to be happy, to live with another woman. I find it so inspiring. I even started keeping a journal,” Hayley admitted with a shy smile. “Not that my life is half as interesting as hers was, but it might be nice to look back on in a few years.”
“A journal?”
“Yeah,” Hayley said, wondering if Jenna thought she was nuts.
“I’m trying to figure out how to fill my days,” she said with a smile. “If I had something to document, I’d consider starting a journal.”
Hayley reached for her drink. What was Jenna doing here? Was she retired? Did she work remotely? All she knew was that Jenna was staying at Nina’s apartment for the next three months and Nina mentioned something about how Jenna was looking for a new hobby? Was she just on a really long vacation?
“You okay?” Jenna asked, her gaze on her as Hayley was brought back to the present.
“Yeah. Sorry. Just thinking... So, you know what I do,” Hayley said. She’d given Jenna her business card yesterday. “What about you?”
“Again, not half as interesting. I’m a divorce lawyer in Manhattan,” Jenna said, stirring her drink with the ocean blue umbrella.
“Doesn’t everyone just get a prenup nowadays?”
“Even if they do, there are ways around them,” Jenna said matter-of-factly.
“Really?”
“Yes, but I’ve been put on a three-month ban,” she said with a sigh. “That’s why I’m here. Doctor’s orders. No work. No talking about work. No thinking about work. No talking to clients. I’m supposed to spend three months relaxing.”
“Oh. Sorry, I brought it up.” Hayley said, detecting the seriousness in Jenna’s voice.
“It’s fine. I was okay yesterday, but I had Nina here, and all day today I was unpacking and getting organized. This is the first time I’ve been just sitting, trying my best not to think about it. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the next three months. I keep glancing at my phone, expecting a client to call even though they know I’m unavailable.”
“You should really try surfing,” Hayley said. “It’s challenging, relaxing, and thrilling all at the same time.”
Jenna smiled. “Nina says you’re a great teacher, so I will keep it in mind. It’s just a little... Intimidating.”
Hayley took a sip of her drink, her eyes catching Kyle’s as he got closer, combing his hand through his hair, an almost pained expression on his face.
“Hey,” Kyle said, his hands on his waist as he stood beside their table. “Hi, Jenna... Hayley, can I steal you for a minute?”
“Yeah. Sure,” she said, her eyes locking onto Jenna’s for just a second.
“Take your time,” Jenna said, stirring her drink. “I’ll be here.”
Hayley pushed her chair back and followed Kyle, walking in the direction he came, away from the noise and the music of the bar. “What’s up? How’d it go with the landlord?”
Kyle stopped short. “He’s upping the price. By four hundred.”
“What?” Hayley ran the numbers in her head, wondering where she could squeeze two hundred more from. It was the perfect apartment for them. There was a spare room for all their surfing and sports gear. They were minutes from the beach. Hayley was seriously considering paying extra for it. “I know it’s expensive but-”
“I can’t do it. I really tried to reason with him, but he says that the new price reflects the market, and if we don’t want it, he’ll have no problem filling it. I don’t know where I’d get another four hundred from, as nice as it is.”
“Four hundred each?”
“Yeah. Didn’t I say that?” Kyle asked, his hands on his waist.
“No. I don’t know. I thought you meant four hundred extra between us.”
He shook his head. “Eight hundred more. Four hundred each. Sorry.”
“Shit,” Hayley said, feeling like she’d been punched in the stomach.
“It gets worse. We’re effectively homeless from next weekend.”
“Oh my God,” Hayley said, wiping her palm across her face. They’d both assumed they’d be signing another lease. They never even considered the possibility of moving. How would they find somewhere that fast? When would she find the time to pack and move?
“Matt offered me a room in his apartment. His roommate moved out last month. I told him I’d think about it.”
“You don’t waste time,” Hayley said as she paced. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound snarky. I know the chances of finding somewhere together are slim. We’d be better off doing that, getting a room in someone else’s place.”
“Look, forget about it for tonight. Go back to your table and have fun with Jenna. We’ll talk about this again tomorrow. I can’t believe it,” he said, putting his arm around Hayley as they walked back towards Nina’s.
“Me neither,” Hayley said, blinking back tears. Just when she thought things were coming together for her, this had to happen.
5
“Thanks,” Jenna said as the waitress delivered two more cocktails. Hayley’s was nearly gone, and Jenna didn’t mean to be nosy, but Kyle and Hayley were still in her line of sight, and whatever he had to tell her couldn’t have been good. Their body language said it all. Pacing, slumped shoulders, hands o
n their hips. It wasn’t good news.
Kyle went straight into the bar, but Hayley came back to their table, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“Hey,” Jenna said, wondering how she was going to cheer her up. “I got you another drink. I don’t mean to pry, but, well, you look like you could use one.”
Hayley cleared her throat as she pulled out her chair and sat down. “That’s for sure. Thank you,” she said, finally meeting her eyes. “Cheers.” Hayley lifted her glass for just a second before taking a long drink.
Jenna sat back, waiting to see if Hayley wanted to talk about it. “Everything okay?”
Hayley looked up at the darkening sky, possibly even blinking back tears. “I’ve been living with Kyle for the last year. We thought we’d be renewing our lease today, but the landlord’s upping the price, and I have to find somewhere else to live, fast. Kyle has a place sorted with a friend. It’s just really bad timing,” Hayley said. “I’m so busy with surfing lessons. I don’t know when I’m going to find the time to go apartment hunting.”
Jenna spoke without thinking. “Stay with me. I have a spare room. Until Nina comes back, anyway. After that, I don’t know.”
Hayley stared at her, and Jenna couldn’t read her expression. “Really?”
Jenna nodded. “Why not? The room’s there. I have no intention of using it. I hardly brought anything with me, so I don’t even need it for storage or anything like that. It’s empty,” she said with a shrug. “You should use it.”
Jenna watched Hayley’s face change. Her cheeks were still red and her eyes watery, but there was a glint in them now, her smile even reaching those blue eyes as she grinned at her.
“Are you sure?” Hayley asked again.
“Positive.”
“You won’t mind having someone around? Not that I’d be there much. If I’m not giving lessons, I’m out surfing or working at a coffee shop that’s around the corner from here.”
“I’m sure,” Jenna said, returning her smile. “Nina wouldn’t mind either.”
“Thank you,” Hayley said, beaming. “You have no idea. I’m going to go get another round. To celebrate.” She was out of her chair before Jenna could even say anything.
Jenna listened to the waves crashing into the shore. What did she just do? She was here to relax, and as nice as Hayley was, she was still another person who she was going to be sharing her space with. Jenna was used to living on her own, to cooking for herself, to coming and going whenever she wanted without worrying about waking someone up.
Hayley was back with two more drinks, her white tank top dipping as she leaned forward to hand Jenna her cocktail. Jenna darted her eyes away from her chest, hoping she hadn’t been caught.
That’s the end of that.
Nina had already warned her not to get involved with Hayley. Now, it definitely wasn’t happening, but that was probably for the best. Maybe, she’d consider those surfing lessons now.
“Sorry,” Hayley said as she got comfortable again. “I had to find Kyle and let him know. He’s thrilled, obviously. I think he felt bad about finding somewhere and leaving me hanging. Anyway, sorry,” she said as she ran a hand through her hair, her smile infectious.
“I’m just glad you’re not stuck. I can even help you move,” Jenna said with a wave of her hand. “All part of the service.”
“Of saving my ass?”
Jenna laughed. “Of being nice.”
Hayley’s blue eyes locked onto hers. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure Kyle will give me a hand.”
“Well, if you need me. Just give me a call.”
“I don’t have your number,” Hayley said as she took a drink.
“Good point.” Jenna retrieved her phone from her bag and pulled up Hayley’s number, tapping on the call button and hanging up again once it had started ringing. “Seriously. If you need a hand, just call me. I’m currently doing absolutely nothing.”
“Thanks. I’d like to give you a few lessons, to thank you,” Hayley said. “I feel like you were half interested yesterday.”
“I am, but you don’t need to. I’ll happily pay if I decide to give it a try.”
Hayley smiled as she looked away. “We’ll talk about it again.”
“You won’t win too many arguments with me,” Jenna said, not caring if she sounded arrogant.
“Lawyer. Right,” Hayley said as she nodded. “I’ll try to remember that.”
“Not that I think we’re going to get into a bunch of disagreements.”
“I know.” Hayley took a drink, a smile tugging at her lips.
Jenna met her heated stare. Were they... Was this... Flirting? No. Definitely not. “I’m actually pretty easy to get along with.”
“As am I, and like I said, you won’t see much of me. I’m usually out.”
“And feel free to have Kyle or whoever over. Don’t change the way you do things just because you’re moving into Nina’s apartment with me.”
“Okay,” Hayley said. “Thanks.”
Jenna’s mind jumped at having something to plan, something to organize. “So, when did you say you have to be out by?”
“The weekend. So, ideally, I’d start moving things over straight away, get as much done as I can before then.”
“Okay. Well, if you want, you can come over tonight and get the key. That way you can come and go, move things when it suits you,” Jenna said, remembering that Nina had left her a spare one hanging on a row of hooks inside the front door.
“That would be great.” Hayley smiled as she stirred her drink. “It’s hard to believe how fast things can happen. Just a few minutes ago, I didn’t know where I was going to live, and now you’re going out of your way to help me.”
Jenna shrugged, which was something she hardly ever did. Then again, she was rarely at a loss for words, but she honestly didn’t know where this selfless streak had come from. She’d always had the mentality of looking after herself first, putting her own needs first, and that had made her successful, at least in a professional setting. Her personal life was too much of a mess for her to analyze right now. Maybe, having to share her space with someone would do her good.
Hayley’s voice brought her back to the moment. “I can see why your Nina’s friend. You both have that way of making someone feel welcome, special almost.”
“Well.” Jenna cleared her throat. “Nina put that charm to good use, opening up this place, becoming friends with her customers.”
“And what about you? What’ll you do with all your charm now?”
Jenna reached for her drink, willing her quick-thinking self to come back. There was something about Hayley that put her on edge. She couldn’t quite figure the younger woman out. Sometimes, she was shy, coming across as insecure, and other times, like right now, the way she looked at her, Jenna felt like Hayley could see right through her.
“I wasn’t aware I was charming,” Jenna said as she took a drink.
Hayley laughed. “Please. I know you can’t talk about work, but you can’t tell me that you’re unaware of the way you are with people.”
“Tell me more,” Jenna said, resting her chin on her hand as she leaned forward.
Hayley visibly swallowed. “It’s your smile, really. And your eyes.”
“Oh yeah?” Jenna asked, holding her gaze. Was Hayley tipsy?
“Hmmm. I feel like I’ve known you for months, but we just met yesterday. I don’t know how to describe it, but you have a way of making me feel... Heard. Comfortable. I don’t know what I’m trying to say, but I’m guessing that it comes from your line of work, how you have to put clients at ease when their lives all falling down around them.”
Jenna’s eyebrows rose. She hadn’t really thought about it like that. She liked to stick to the facts and how she could manipulate them, but she must be good at dealing with those clients, usually blindsided, heart-broken clients. “So, I could have a career in psychology? If I can’t hack law again.”
Hayley tilted her head.
“No. I don’t think so. You’d be too friendly, too warm. I don’t think you’d be good at keeping that barrier, that line between therapist and patient.”
“Let’s hope I never find out what that’s supposed to look like,” Jenna said with a smirk as she sat back again. “I briefly thought I might need to go see someone, but thankfully, my doctor gave me this leave instead. I suppose, I could end up on someone’s couch when I go back to New York. There’ll probably be some sort of transition period. I can’t imagine going from three months of this to the pressures of court.”
“Don’t think about work,” Hayley said, her hand covering Jenna’s. “I’m sorry I got us talking about it.”
Jenna glanced down at their hands before gently sliding hers away, waving Hayley off. “It’s going to happen. It took up so much of my life before. I can’t expect to shut it off completely. It’ll be a gradual thing. Anyway,” Jenna said as she finished her drink. “I’m going to go back to Nina’s and get you that key.”
“I can go with you,” Hayley said, her eyes on Jenna as she stood up. “That way I’ll know where it is and everything.”
“Okay. Yeah,” Jenna picked up her bag and checked her phone, not surprised to see three more messages from that dating app. “Let’s go.”
6
Hayley carried the last box up the stairs and left it on the ground in the hallway outside Nina’s apartment. She blew a strand of hair out of her eyes, tucking it behind her ear as she unlocked the door, holding it open by backing her ass up against it while she bent down to pick up the box. With a grunt, she had it securely in her arms, wondering what she’d put in it to make it so heavy.
She maneuvered herself and the box into the apartment and down the hall, her flip flops lightly slapping against her feet as she moved across the cream tiles, adding the box to the stack in the corner of her room. Her surfboard was propped up against the dresser and the wall.
Hayley stood with her hands on her hips, taking in her new home. It was messy, but she was too exhausted to do anything else with it right now. She’d tackle this after work tomorrow.