Page 59 of Can I Tell You Something?
Hannah
Five Months Later
Londonisswelteringthrougha late spring heatwave. I normally video chat with Cameron from the warmth of my bed, but the living room, with its wide windows, is the coolest place to hang out right now.
We’ve found a comfortable routine with me in London and him in L.A. Though we haven’t been able to see each other in person yet, we haven’t let a day go by without talking, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
Most nights he calls when I’m home from work if he can grab a break from his shoot, or we speak first thing in the morning for me before he goes to bed. Weekends are my favourite. There’s less pressure to get up, more time for him to whisper filth down the phone line, instruct me on exactly how he wants me to touch myself.
I’m not usually this nervous to talk to him, but this has not been a usual day, and this will not be one of our usual conversations.
I watch the clock on the wall tick over to 10 o’clock, then my phone buzzes and I answer on his first ring.
Ever so punctual, this man of mine.
“Hey baby,” he smiles at me, as the call connects to a decent quality and his face comes into focus. “I have good news for you.”
His hair is freshly washed before he goes to work, his waves finding their natural shape as they flop over his forehead. My face hurts from smiling when I look at him.
“I have news too,” I say, biting at the side of my thumb.
“OK, you go first.”
Oh, definitely not.My news is intense, high pressure, and will require discussion. I’m already halfway to a panic attack. What if he reacts badly? What if it’s not what he wants? What if this is the end of us as a couple? We’ve barely begun.
“No you first,” I insist.
He takes a deep breath, then pauses, before it all comes out in a rush. “I just heard I got a job on a new production that’s shooting in London. As long as visas move fast, I can be there as early as next month.”
“Oh my God,” I say, my heart sinking faster by the second. “That’s amazing.”
“Right? I don’t want to put any pressure on you. I’ll get my own apartment, but being in the same city is something, right? I want to see you as much as you’ll have me.”
“Uh-huh.” I nod, running options in my head.
“You don’t look too happy about it,” he says, and I see that furrow in his brow forming, the one I wish I could smooth out with my thumb when he’s anxious. “Is this not a good thing?”
“It’s a great thing, it’s just—”
“Wait, what was your news?” he says.
“I requested a sabbatical to convert my legal qualifications so I can apply for a transfer. It got approved today.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that’s a thing you wanted to do, but that’s great news, babe.” His face lights up on my phone, that beautiful smile that I’m about to destroy.
“The transfer would be to L.A.”
I want to cry.He’s moving to London, for me, and I’m all set to leave.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I didn’t want to tell you before anything got approved.”
“Oh, holy shit. You did that for me?” I nod, and Cameron is silent for a second, before bursting out laughing.
“This isn’t funny, Cam!” I flop back onto the sofa and throw an arm over my face.
“It’s kind of hilarious, baby. Thank God we don’t keep secrets from each other. Can you imagine? What if we tried to surprise each other, and I flew to you just as you flew to me?” He slumps down on his sofa, tears of laughter pooling in his eyes as his mind runs wild. “Oh! Imagine if our planes crossed over the Atlantic. Me knocking at your door in London, just as you knocked at mine in L.A. We’re like something from a movie.”
