Page 78 of Love, Just In

Zac’s smile deepens. ‘You’ve really thought this through.’

I make a definite nod. ‘But only if we’re both still single. We can call it “The Back-Up Plan”.’ I lift my beer and tilt it out to him. ‘Deal?’

He clinks our glasses. ‘To “The Back-Up Plan”.’

I squirm through the nervous feeling spreading through my belly while Zac’s eyes graze over his phone, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.

‘Oh, shit, someone just texted me about that costume party on Sunday,’ he says. ‘I still don’t have anything to wear.’

‘Want me to take you to the op shop tomorrow where I found my Cleopatra costume?’ I offer while performing the ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’ dance.

He smiles. ‘Thanks, future bride.’

CHAPTER 28

Today

I’m stress-sweating inside a Sydney taxi, twenty minutes late for my interview with a construction CEO thanks to the world’s most confused taxi driver, when my phone jingles in my bag.

My nervousness spikes while I dig it out, still waiting for a call from Zac, but it’s Doctor Ellison’s office. My stomach nosedives and I consider throwing my phone out the window, but I swallow my terror and answer it.

‘Everything came back normal,’ is the first thing out of the doctor’s mouth.

My forehead drops to my knees and my chest breaks open, air gushing into my lungs. She says a run of other things I only half-hear about my cough being post-viral and the intermittent bleeding being likely hormonal.

‘Josie, might I also suggest we set up an appointment to talk a bit more about this health anxiety,’ she adds in her lulling tone. ‘There are lots of things we can do, likepsychology sessions, and even medication to break that cycle of irrational thoughts and give the counselling a chance to work. Have a think about it, OK?’

I repeat my thanks on loop, gushing like she’s literally saved my life, and make a mental note to set up that appointment. Whatever this is that’s feeding on my brain and turning me into an emotional wreck, I want it gone. It’s time to get my life back.

I tip the taxi driver who can’t follow a simple GPS and ace the interview about major job cuts in the building industry. Back in the chaotic Sydney newsroom, I manage to focus enough to write up a story that lands in the opening segment of the evening news.

My car’s crawling through traffic on my way to Christina’s, who’s been putting me up in her guest room, when a familiar feeling of dread slinks into my abdomen. What if something was missed in those test results? My left underarm was oddly itchy last night. Could that be a sign that something still isn’t right?

After running my fingers over my underarm, I wrestle my mind off my health and back onto what Christina told me last night. She said that Oliver Novak’s decision about her newsreading replacement is imminent, so if there’s ever a time for me to shine at work, it’s this coming week. I need to reset my head andfocus.

My sense of being off balance hasn’t been helped by the fact that I haven’t heard anything from Zac since the wedding.Ouch.Fleeing the reception and driving to Sydney feels like an overreaction in hindsight, butI don’t want to text him to explain—it’s probably something best dealt with in person.

I’m swirling my fork through a banoffee pie I bought to share with Christina when Natasha Harrington texts me. It’s been a big news week in Newcastle, and she wants me to report back first thing tomorrow morning.Argh. It’s also Zac’s birthday tomorrow, so if I want to keep hiding from him, I’m out of luck.

The butterfly storm in my stomach upgrades to a cyclone at the thought of seeing him. But maybe his birthday is the perfect excuse to go back to what we do best: hanging out, being asshats, and absolutelynotkissing each other’s faces off while I grind against his erection.Christ.

After hugging Christina goodbye, I make a pit stop at her local liquor store to buy a bottle of whisky recommended by the salesman. It’s not the most personal gift I’ve ever given Zac, but under the circumstances, it’s all my panicking heart can manage.

I stick a silver bow on the bottle’s neck and pull out my phone, deciding that a break-the-ice text might take the edge off our reunion.

ME:Hey. Just wanted to let you know I’m heading back up north tonight.

Hopefully it’s still OK to crash at yours for a few more days?

P.S. I got my test results back, and everything was normal. Hopefully the docs didn’t miss anything!

He’s probably at work, so I fire up my car, but a speech bubble pops up right away.

ZAC:Amazing news! So happy to hear that. I’m sure the results were accurate.

Sorry I’ve been quiet, it’s been a hectic few days at work. Of course, it’s fine for you to stay here. I’m on night shift tonight, just FYI, so might not see you.

I slump in my seat, rereading the message in search of clues that he’s been thinking about that kiss as much as I have. But I don’t pick up on anything other than the friend zone.

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