by Renee Swann
He draped an arm over my shoulders. “You’re the lucky ones.”
A half-hour later, we had the Ute loaded with my couch, bed, tables and chairs.
I dropped the keys into Jay’s palm. “Drive safe.” I pointed a finger at him. “You crash my dad’s truck, I’ll kill you.”
He smirked. “Noted.”
“Be back by five.” My phone chirped as I watched him leave. “Hello?”
“Hey,” said Troy.
“So I was the only person that didn’t know about Ruby, huh? Didn’t think I would understand?” I heard him exhale.
“Mon, it’s not what you think. I was ashamed - a single father. Like I said, I wanted her to be ours. And I couldn’t bring myself to tell you.”
I gnawed on my lip.
“I know you would’ve understood,” he said, “Now, who’ve you been talking to?”
“Your super best friend Jay.”
“Oh.”
I kicked a stray pebble. “I guess the past couple years have been hard on both of us.”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry I snapped at you. Can we start this phone call over?”
“Sure. Ring ring.”
“Troy, guess what? I ran into Jay,” I said, “He’s taking my furniture for Shaun. I heard he moved out.”
He chuckled. “That’s great. I was wondering what colour you’d like your new office.”
“You don’t have to do this, you know? I could work at the kitchen counter.”
“Too bad. I’ve already started.”
I could hear the smirk in his voice.
“And Ruby picked out a wallpaper border - cupcakes.”
My lips tugged into a grin. I expected nothing less from her. “You two have been busy.”
“It’s the only distraction from your absence.”
“Aw. I miss you guys too.”
“Just a few more sleeps,” he said, “What’re you doing tonight?”
“I have a date.”
“Excuse me?”
“With a bowl of popcorn, glass of wine, some truffles and a Sex and the City marathon.”
“Phew.”
“I’ll talk to you later?” I said.
“Yep.”
I disconnected.
* * *
“They’re all good, but not amazing,” said Diane.
“Why?” I said.
“None of them are you.”
We had been interviewing replacements all day.
“Diane, you have to make a decision. This is my last day.”
She blew a sigh. “You choose.”
“Me?”
“I trust your instincts.”
Picking my own replacement? Sure, that will be easy …
I selected an application. “How about this one - Skye Ellis?”
She peered over my shoulder. “Never worked in the publishing industry.”
“Yeah, but she’s eager to learn.”
Diane arched an eyebrow.
“Right, no time for that.” I picked up another. “Cleo Jenkins? Three years at our rival Eclipse.” I plopped onto my swivel chair. “Before that, she worked in PR.”
Diane snatched the paper. “Hm.” Her eyes glided over the page. “Get her in here.”
I lunged at the phone, scattering pens in the process.
“And order us some lunch while you’re at it.”
“Sure thing.” I located Cleo’s business card and punched in her number.
An hour later, she was seated in front of us. Two minutes after, she had the job.
“When do I start?” said Cleo.
“How’s Monday?” said Diane.
“Monday’s perfect, thank you.” She smiled.
Diane’s eyes tracked Cleo’s exit.
“See, wasn’t that bad,” I said, “She’s perfect for the job.”
“Time will tell.”
I sighed, a smile playing on my lips. “You can’t replace me, Diane. I’m just too good.”
She broke into a fit of laughter. I joined her.
“C’mon,” she said, “Let’s get back to work. We’ve got heaps to do.”
“You’re right. Do you need another caffeine hit?”
“No, but you go.” She sat at her desk.
I shouldered my handbag. “I’ll be back in five.”
“No problem.” Her fingers tapped on the keyboard.
My phone rang as I waited for my order.
“Are you busy?” said Troy.
“I have a minute. What’s up?”
“Got a call from Ruby. I think Lauren’s losing it.”
My brow clustered. “What happened?”
“Ruby says she told her you were moving in and Lauren screamed at her - something about how I’ll never see her again. It was hard to tell through the sobs.”
“Oh?”
“Then Rubes told her we were getting married and she shoved her.”
I’ll kill her.
“I’m worried, Mon. What if Lauren’s becoming unstable?”
I collected my latte. “You could file for full custody.”
“And in the meantime?”
I pushed through the glass doors and huddled under the eave. Lashings of water washed over the pavement and road. “Pray she doesn’t?”
He sighed. “I’d better let you go. Bye.”
I slipped the phone into my bag, anger surging. If Lauren hurts Ruby or Troy, she’ll have me to deal with. And I was more formidable.
At five, Diane wandered over. “What’re you still doing here?”
“Same as you.” I neatened a stack of papers.
“Yes, but I still work here. You don’t.” She nodded towards my desk. “Go on. Pack up and get outta here. Before I make a fool of myself with a goodbye.”
I hugged her. “Thanks, Diane. For everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
I released her.
“Don’t be a stranger,” she said.
“I won’t.” I extended my hand. “Friends?”
She shook it, her lips curling into a smile. “Friends.”
“I’m going to miss this place.” I transferred my coffee mug and wallet to my handbag.
“Sure you are.” She winked.
“Okay, but I am going to miss our Friday afternoon cake and coffee at Caesar’s.”
Her smiled drooped. “Me, too.”
I hugged her again. “I’ll call when I’m settled in.”
“You do that. I wanna hear how everything goes.”
I released her and nodded. “I will. For sure.”
“So, what’re you doing for your second-last night in your apartment?” said Troy.
“Packing. And a movie marathon. I was just about to pop some corn.”
There was a tap on my door.
“Hang on, someone’s here,” I said, “Better not be Kate.” I peered through the security hole. Troy. Was I hallucinating again? I stifled a scream and ripped open the door.
He smirked. “Not Kate.”
“Oh my God.” I constricted my arms around his neck.
“Not God, either.” His arms wound around my waist. “Missed me?”
“Not at all.” I planted kisses on his lips, nose and cheeks.
He kicked the door shut and brushed his lips across mine. “I sure have.”
“You’re early.”
“I know,” he said, “Surprise.” His eyes roamed over my apartment. “Nice place.”
“Thanks.”
He handed me a bouquet of orange gerberas. “I also have take-away and a bottle of wine.”
“You are the perfect man.”
“I try my best.”
“Take a seat.” I reached for the bottle. “I’ll crack this baby open.”
He wandered into the living room. “Uh, where?”
I peered around the corner. The room was bare, except for a camping mattress. “Oh, yeah. Couch is gone.”
Troy nudged the mattress against the wall. I handed him a mug.
/>
“Jay took your wine glasses, also?” He smirked.
I chuckled. “No. Packed them already.”
He gestured towards the makeshift couch. “After you.”
I crawled onto it and rested against the wall, crossing my legs in front of me.
“How was your day?” he said.
I chugged some wine. “Finally chose a replacement. Diane didn’t seem too happy, though.”
His fingers combed through my hair. “You’re irreplaceable.”
“How is my little angel?” I said.
“Ruby’s at Mum’s. I convinced Lauren that she was supposed to be there, but that I’d forgotten.” His fingers traced my jaw. “I would’ve stayed, but I already had the plane tickets.”
My head swivelled in his direction. His smirk widened.
“When did you buy these tickets?” I lifted an eyebrow.
“Er, a day before you left.”
“So this whole time, you knew you would arrive early?”
“Yup.”
“And that I would accept your proposal?”
“Ah-ha.” His lips touched my temple.
I shoved him. “Cheeky.”
“I prefer Mr Romantic.”
“Okay, Mr Romantic. Got any other surprises for me?”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“Hm.” My eyes narrowed.
He handed me a take-away container. The scent of beef and potatoes assaulted my nose. My stomach gurgled in anticipation.
“Are you going to eat your burger, or just stare at it?” he said.
I ripped open the lid and wolfed it down.
“Geez, I shoulda got you another.” He moved his out of my reach.
I squeezed sauce onto my fries. “Mm. There’s only a can of spaghetti and half a head of lettuce left. Thought I was going to starve.”
“Good thing I’m here.” He took a bite of his burger.
“So, is this new book of yours ready?”
“Almost.”
“When do I get to have a read?”
“Maybe I should’ve thought more about having my fiancée as my publisher,” he joked.
I punched his arm.
“Kidding!” he said, “A week or two.”
“Great. That will give me time to set up the business.”
“Am I your first client?”
“Hm. I hear J.K. Rowling has a new book.”
He pinched me.
I flinched. “Ow!”
“Sorry.” He rubbed my tricep.
“Be nice. Or I might reject your manuscript.” I smirked.
He arched an eyebrow then wiggled his fingers in front of me.
“No.” I set down my mug.
Fingers grabbed at my waist, digging into my ribs. “What’d you say?”
Between bursts of laughter, I said, “I’ll reject your manuscript.”
His fingers dug in further. “What?”
“I-”
Someone rapped on my door.
“Mon, you in there?” said Kate.
I blew a sigh. Fantastic. “You answer it.” I straightened my top and stood. “Make her go away.”
Troy yanked the door open. “She doesn’t wanna see you.”
Kate flicked her eyes between us. “Can I come in? Please.”
My teeth gnashed. “What do you want?”
She pushed past him, eyes wide. “Your mum said you were leaving.”
“Ah-ha.”
“And engaged.” Kate’s melancholic eyes flicked between us again.
“Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We haven’t been on the best of terms, Kate,” I said.
She pouted. “But I’m your friend. We’re like sisters.”
Some people have more trouble letting go than others. “Not anymore.”
Troy moved to my side.
“W-why?” Her brow creased. “Is it because of the silly thing with the house? That was nothing.”
I strained to keep my hands from balling. “I’m going to say this once more,” I said through gritted teeth, “You and I? We are through. You lied - not just about the house. I don’t know if you have ever told the truth.”
She blinked back tears. “I’m sorry you feel that way.” She sniffled. “Excuse me.” She fled my apartment.
I turned to Troy. “Was I too harsh?”
“Just a little.”
I blew a sigh. “Should I go after her?”
“That’s up to you.”
I think I would prefer the tickling.
* * *
Lips trailed over my bare shoulder. “Mon, breakfast time.”
I groaned and rolled over, into his arms. “Five more minutes.”
“Nope.”
“Two?”
“No.”
“Thirty seconds?”
“Okay.”
Twenty seconds later, he tapped my shoulder. “Mon, breakfast.”
“Mmkay.” I waited a beat. “Am I moving?”
“There’s pastries waiting in the kitchen.”
My eyes darted open. I swung my legs over the side and shrugged into my robe. “What flavour did you get?”
“Knew that would get you moving.” He tugged on a pair of track pants. “Almond, custard - they were out of blueberry.”
“Aw.” I grabbed an almond Danish.
“So, what’re we doin’ today?”
“Some boxes have to go to Mum’s - she wants to re-meet you, so we are having dinner there tonight.”
“And this morning?”
“Uploading pictures of your naked butt to my laptop.”
“Hm. Not sure I can let you do that.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
“Am too.”
“Oh, and did I tell you that Mum wants to throw us an engagement party?”
He thought about that for a second. “You can get us out of that, right?”
“Will you let me upload the photos?”
“That’s blackmail.”
“I know.”
“Fine.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said.
He tore off a chunk of Danish. “When did you take these photos?”
“I’ll never tell.”
His eyes roamed over my belongings. “Are you sure everything’s gonna fit?”
“It has to. I’m not leaving Perth without my books.”
“I could always strap you to the roof.” He smirked.
“That’s not funny,” I said.
“It is.”
“We are stopping for coffee, right?”
“Yep.” Troy enclosed me in his arms. “I know you’re gonna miss your apartment.” His lips touched my forehead. “But Ruby and I have something special waiting for you back home.”
Home. I couldn’t wait to be there.
3
MEMORIES
I chugged the remainders of my melted iced coffee.
“Just a few more kilometres,” said Troy, “And we’ll be on the longest straightest road in the world.” His face lit up.
My eyes drifted from the road to him then back. “You’re really excited about seeing it, aren’t you?”
“Yeh.” He unwrapped a muesli bar. “You’re not?”
“Thrilled.” Maybe not as much as him. But who doesn’t love a road trip?
The Prius coughed and spluttered.
Troy cut his eyes to me. “What was that?”
“I think-” The car slowed. My foot squeezed the accelerator. Nothing. Oh no. No, no, no, no, no! Not here. I managed to pull onto the side of the road, in time for the engine to cut out.
Troy’s forefinger tapped the fuel gage. “We shouldn’t have run out of petrol. I’ll have a look.” He jumped out.
I popped the bonnet and followed.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. His eyes swept over the battery and radiator. “Hm.” He slid under the vehicle.
“What are you doing?” I said.
“Chec
king the fuel tank.” He was silent for a moment. “Ah, not good.”
“Is it fixable?”
“There’s a dent in it. We’re out of petrol.”
“Someone will come along, right?”
He straightened and dusted his hands off. “Could be hours.”
I kicked the wheel. “Stupid car.”
The journey home is never easy. I should have known there would be a hiccup or two along the way.
“Let’s get some shade.” He reached for my hand and towed me over to a large tree.
Two hours later, not a car had passed. No mobile reception, either. I paced under the line of trees. “I’m hungry.” We would have been eating lunch by now.
Troy stood and stretched. “There’s a couple muesli bars left.” He reached into the back seat.
Bleating emanated from behind us. Four single-humped camels came into view.
I froze. My eyes widened. “Troy.” Was I so starved that I was envisioning this? I clenched my eyes shut. Cheeseburger and fries. Cheeseburger and fries. I opened one eye. Nope. Not a single fry in sight. Damn.
Troy swivelled then backed up, pushing me behind him. I peeked around his shoulder at the giant creatures as they crossed the highway.
“They aren’t dangerous.” I swatted his arm away and reached for a bar.
He sighed. “Someone should come along soon.”
Neither of us wanted to sleep here.
“We could hop on a camel,” he teased.
I shot him an icy glare.
“Thought you said they’re not dangerous?”
“I call dibs on the back seat,” I said.
“Don’t bother.” He grinned and pointed down the highway.
I squinted. The black dot on the horizon was headed our way.
“I’m gonna see if they can take me to the nearest town,” he said.
“You are going to leave me here alone?”
He touched his lips to my forehead. “I’ll be back, I promise.”
He better be.
“Lock yourself in the car,” he said.
I brushed dirt off his back as the Hyundai slowed. The window rolled down. A couple in their twenties grinned at us.
“You guys need any help?” said the man.
“We’re out of petrol - dent in the tank,” said Troy, “Could you give me a lift?”
“Sure,” he said.
The woman peered around him. “There’s room for both of you.”
“Oh, thanks,” I said, “But everything I own is in that car.”
She smiled, reassuring. “Okeydokey.”