Page 131 of Not Exactly a Small-Town Romance

Jester kneels beside me to pick up the papers that flew out of the box, real tears flowing. I can practically hear him sayingI’m so sorry, even though his mouth isn’t moving.

There isn’t much else to do. I check my drawers, refusing to be pushed out of here without anything that’s mine, but they’re all empty.

Then I take my box and go home.

Chapter 42

ZACHERYGETS THENEWS

When the plane touches down at LAX after a full week of Italian food and sun, I have to admit that I feel ashamed. I left both of my phones at the house and bought a new one. I’m looking ahead, not back, and only adding contacts as I meet them and decide they’re good for me.

Catalina is definitely one. Our trip to Venice ended up being not for two but three, because on the flight to Italy, she admitted that she had a secret wife, one who wanted to avoid the limelight altogether.

I immediately got Sweta a ticket to join us so that the two of them could enjoy the quieter side of Venice, while I escorted Catalina for the very public ones.

The pair was delightful, and I very much appreciated being let in on their secret. Real friendships were made, something I’ve sorely lacked.

I decide the new phone will be my only phone, since the first two numbers I added were Catalina and Sweta.

I kiss both of their cheeks as we leave the airport, making them promise to join me for dinner soon.

I call for a ride, and only when I’m settled in the back seat do I call the office.

“Desdemona Casting Associates,” Jester answers.

“Jester, it’s Zachery. I switched phones for the trip.”

Silence.

“Jester?”

“I’m not talking to you.”

I suspected he might be upset. “I’m sorry I didn’t come back for the soccer scene. How did it go? Did you go to observe it or let it ride?”

Silence.

“Jester, I just couldn’t come back. I was having the best time in Venice.”

“I bet you were, you slathering hunk of hormones.”

Jester’s never judged me before, but I’m not about to correct him. “I’m in a car to my house, but I can reroute to the office. Catch me up.”

He says, “Desdemona fired Kelsey.”

And then he hangs up.

I stare at my phone.

How did this happen? Jester obviously blames me for not coming back for the soccer filming.

I don’t know how to contact Kelsey. I mean, I know her number by heart, plus her email. But what is the best way? It’s midmorning. She’s probably at the tree farm.

Randy is probably consoling her over the loss of her job.

I picture him, his arms around her. He’ll be happy, I bet. She’s his now. They can open their bed-and-breakfast in the homestead sooner rather than later. Kelsey’s smart. She’ll get it going well enough that even if the tree farm goes down, she can save the house.

Hell, I bet she could single-handedly save the whole farm. Now that’s a Hallmark ending. The family will be eternally grateful. They’ll throw a parade in her honor. Perfect final scene.

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