Page 1 of Hate You Forever

ONE

Jade

Ipour a glass of wine and take it back to the living room with me. Noodle, my mini Aussie, is already curled up on the end of the couch, fast asleep. I smile down at the little black and white fluff ball before sitting on the opposite end as to not disturb him. I take a sip of my wine and set it on the end table before picking up my open laptop and bringing it to my lap. I type a message.

Jade

Okay, I’m back.

Paul

Oh good, I was afraid I’d lost you.

I smile at his reply. Lately, it feels like he’d be the only one to miss me. My best friend, Pearl, has finally managed to bag her dream guy and settle down. Theyhave the beautiful hand-built house, and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before they’re married and procreating. I, on the other hand, am still caught up over my high school boyfriend, Memphis Styles, the one who got away… with my virginity and no goodbye. I roll my eyes at how stupid I am.

Jade

Trust me when I say, I’m not going anywhere.

The truth of that statement causes a knot to form in my stomach.

Paul

Except maybe to come out to Argentina to see me one of these days, right?

I know that my relationship with Paul can’t ever go anywhere—nowhere serious, anyway—but it’s nice to dream about. Deep down, I don’t even know if the person I’m talking to is really Paul Frost or if that’s just the made-up name of some lonely seventy-year-old man.

Jade

Well, that’s a given.

I send the message with a smile.

Truthfully, I’d like to let myself believe that Paul is who he says he is. I can picture myself flying across the world the meet up with him. The moment we lock eyes, I’d fall head over heels in love, and he’d be the most perfect guy I could dream up. Everything, from his looks to the way he talks, would be what dreams are made of. The likeliness of that situation is so far-fetched, it’s sometimes even hard for me to believe, let alone, the people in my life who still claim that I’m single because internet dating isn’t really a thing.

I guess I’ve always been a dreamer. Well, maybe not always, but since my dream guy up and ran off without so much of a goodbye. The truth of the matter is that this town is small, and everyone knows everyone. The only newcomers are tourists who are only looking for a vacation romance. Other than that, it’s the same group of people it’s always been. It’s unbelievable that I managed to fall in love once in this town. I’m not holding my breath for a second time.

Paul

I can’t wait until I’ll actually be able to see you, to hold you. I’ve imagined it so many times over these last six months we’ve been talking. I already feel like I’ve known you forever.

Jade

I like to think that we know one another on a deeper level. Sure, we haven’t met yet, but I know your favorite color, your dreams, and what you hope to achieve in life. That’s more than some couples who sleep together every night.

My words aren’t a lie. It’s all true, but I long to feel his hand in mine, to feel how quickly his heart beats against my chest when we kiss for the first time. Like him, I’ve imagined it over and over.

Laughter on the TV gets my attention, and I look up long enough to catch up on the show I’m watching. I watch longer than I intend to, and when I look back at the computer screen, I see the words:Connection lost. Paul has left the chat.

With a huff, I slam the computer closed, and Noodle jumps awake at my side.

“I’m sorry, boy,” I say, rubbing his head when he closes the distance between us. I set the laptop back onto the coffee table and pull Noodle into my lap. I absentmindedly pet him while watching TV and sipping my wine.

“I wish you were the only man I needed, Noodle.”

He looks up at me with his big, crystal-blue eyes and lets out a whimper.

I laugh. “I know, I’m pathetic. Let’s go outside before bed, huh?”

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