Page 88 of Together in Harmony
I get it. To the media, it’s like if Paris Hilton or Hailey Bieber had dropped off the face of the earth for four years, then suddenly been found, living under a different name.
The difference is, I have never courted the media, and I want nothing to do with it.
I’m sitting by the pool, downloading work assignments, when Hugo walks by, he does a double take.
“Darling girl. Fuck, I miss you.” He takes the laptop out of my hands, then squashes his body on top of mine. “If I just crush you, you can’t leave right?”
“And you can’t get the album finished, so we’ll be stuck in not hanging-out limbo forever.”
He groans, “Ugh, you are right.” Running a hand through his beautiful thick hair, he looks a little hesitant.
“Actually,” he says. “I wanted to let you know. I’m going to New York tomorrow.”
“You are?” I sit up straighter. “What are you doing there?”
“I’m going to see my parents. Dad is conducting an evening with Yo-Yo Ma, at the Lincoln Center. I’m going to go—try and make peace.”
“That’s awesome, well done, babe.”
“Anyway, I just wanted to let you know. Also, Clara will be here on Monday to record the duet, so keep your calendar free, I know she’ll want to see you!”
Hugo bends down to kiss me again, then a whistle erupts.
It’s Harry. “For fucks sake, Hugo, are you gonna get your ass back in here? If you want 48-hours off, get your shit together.”
I raise an eyebrow at him, he groans. “Duty calls. See you soon, love.”
“Be safe in the big apple,” I say, blowing him a kiss.
???
The next morning I am still bleary-eyed when I notice two things. It’s raining and I have a text from Asa.
‘Wanna hang out? Grandpa has gone to NY, so we can be slobs. Movie marathon under blankets?’ #ocdhugo #lotr?
I text back.
‘Sounds amazing! #yeslotr #poorhugo
Ping.
‘Wahoo! I’m going to make you cake. EAT MY CAKE!!! #notjoking #eatmycake Come over whenever xxxxxoxoxox’
I’m laughing as I see Waldo arrive.
Waldo is pretty much my hero in every way. Especially as he fixed the coffee machine. Who knew you could put a new fuse in a plug, and then something would work?
Who knew there were fuses in plugs in the first place?
At the sound of the car, Einstein runs straight over to the window. He is actually purring.
“How did you break through to Einstein?” I ask, as I invite Waldo inside.
“Dunno,” Waldo grins. “Cats seem to love me, there are three big tom cats that live near my house. They hang out in the yard all the time.” He tickles Einstein under the chin.
I’m beginning to ship this Einstein/Waldo thing.
I wonder if Waldo would be interested in taking his relationship with Einstein to the next level? I don’t want to kick Einstein out, but if he and Waldo get on so well, maybe it would make sense if they try being roommates?
