Page 28 of Unforeseen Love

Rolling my eyes, I could just say he’s not here and dignify her question with an answer, but why the hell should I?

“Because he left his phone at home and you’re ringing it off the hook.” What I don’t add is maybe that should be enough of a sign he’s not available.

“Tell him to call me,” she says, and before I can reply, she hangs up.

“Well, damn.”

I place his phone back on the counter and go back to my room.

Quinn: I still can’t get over you looking after kittens, you don’t even like cats.

Well, I don’t hate cats, I just find them less loyal than dogs. But finding that litter dumped by the bins and unable to fend for themselves, it wasn’t a tough decision.

Me: They kind of grew on me. How’s the writing coming along?

I open my book to my last page read and start at the top of the page. Am I the only one who does that? I can’t pick up exactly where I left off, not even if it’s an eBook.

My phone vibrates on my chest and causes me to jump.

Quinn: I’ve had some good writing days. It’s just hard trying not to get caught up in my head, you know? Like, do I really think I can do this?

I frown. Of course she can bloody well do this, she has just as much chance as anyone else.

Me: You need to stop that right now. You can do anything you put your mind to. You left a toxic job, for Christ’s sakes; do you know how much courage that takes? Listen, I know your confidence has been knocked, and for good reason, but you’d be letting yourself down if you didn’t at least try.

It pisses me off how much she doubts herself. But if anyone can make her dreams a reality, it’s Quinn.

Quinn: Thank you, lets FaceTime soon, okay? And don’t even try and get out of it.

I laugh at that. I don’t even like talking on the phone let alone on camera, it’s just awkward.

Me: Okay, fine, speak soon. Love you, pimp xox

Quinn: Ditto xo

She got me this plaque years ago. “Friendship is like pissing your pants. Everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth.” And that explains how I feel about our friendship, she’s like the piss in my pants—pimp.

I go back to reading my book, but my moment of serenity is soon interrupted by the shrill ringing of his damn phone again. I don’t even bother answering it again, I don’t need another encounter with Orla.

When I hear the front door, I jump to my feet and rush into the hallway.

“How were they?” I ask before he’s even closed it or kicked his shoes off.

He looks up at me and shakes his head. “Damn, Morticia, can’t a man get through his front door before he’s bombarded?”

Crossing my arms, I roll my eyes, something I’ve found I do a lot around him, and I seriously need to stop. I swear it’s giving me headaches.

I wait as he approaches me, and I tilt my head back once he’s practically standing over me.

“They’re fine. I put everything on the doorstep, along with the kittens, and waited at the end of the pathway to make sure they all got in safely. The sooner social distancing is over the better. It felt weird not being able to go near them. Anyway, I would’ve rung them on my way back to see how they were, but I think I left my phone.”

I let out a loud huff. “Yeah, you did. Someone called Orla has been ringing your phone off the hook. She is relentless. I had to answer it because she would not stop ringing.”

He grinds his jaw and brushes past me to retrieve his phone.

“Who is she anyway? Is she a friend of yours—a girlfriend? Because she sounded pretty pissed off.”

Raising his eyebrows, he shakes his head. “Firstly, you shouldn’t have answered my phone.” He stalks past me towards his room. “And secondly, it’s none of your damn business.” Wow, is he seriously getting agitated with me? I should be the one annoyed with him––after all, it was his phone I had to listen to, ringing off the damn hook.

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