Page 8 of No More Heartbreakers

My phone rang as I got out of the shower. Tucking my towel around me, I crossed my tiny one-room apartment to look at the screen. It was Hale. After a few seconds’ hesitation, I swiped to answer.

“Hi. Is everything okay?” My tone spelled out my confusion at his calling.

He, on the other hand, sounded like nothing had changed. “Just calling to say hello. What’re you up to?”

I hesitated. “I’m getting ready to go out.”

“Out? Where are you going? Who’re you going with?” Not accusatory, only curious, but his voice sounded forced, like he was trying too hard to be casual.

“Hale—why are you calling?”

“I just wanted to check on you. I miss you.”

My heart squeezed, and silence filled the space where I might have said, “I miss you, too.”

I did miss him, but this whole conversation was messing with my mind. Taking a break washisidea, for God’s sake.

And maybe it had been a good one. Maybe it made sense for us both to take time to determine if a relationship that had started freshman year in college could orshouldlast a lifetime.

Friends assured me most couples broke up at least once before settling down for good. I was pretty sure it wouldn’t last long, and we would end up married.

And I was almost positive that was what I wanted. I mean, any girl would be thrilled to spend her life with a guy like Hale, right?

But I had to admit the logistics of the “break” business had thrown me off a bit. He’d only suggested it a few weeks ago—I was still trying to getusedto the idea—and now he was calling? Was the break over already?

I kept my voice carefully neutral, walking over to the fridge and studying the souvenir magnets decorating its surface. I ran a finger down my favorite one, which featured the glittering skyline of New York City.

“Well… it’s nice of you to call and check on me, but I’m fine.”

The triple-beep from my microwave sounded behind me, reminding me I’d set it to cook for six minutes at least fifteen minutes ago. Hopefully my five-for-ten-dollars glazed chicken meal hadn’t gotten cold already.

“Is that the microwave?” Hale said. “I hope you’re not having one of those frozen diet dinners again. Listen, I made stir-fry tonight. Why don’t I drop some by for you? You need better nutrition than a piece of Franken-chicken the size of a quarter and a tablespoon of white rice.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “I like my frozen Frankenstein meals. And my dietary well-being is not your concern at the moment. Anyway, I’ve got to finish getting ready now—Kenley and Mara will be waiting for me.”

“Well… all right then. You be safe. I’ll see you Monday.”

“Okay, bye—wait—did my parents invite you to dinner?”

Though I’d already told Mom Hale couldn’t be there, it would be just like her to call him up and invite him personally. My parents considered him their fourth son.

“Your dad said he had some new lures he wanted me to take a look at. He asked me to come over Monday evening. Hemighthave mentioned you’d be there.” I could hear his sheepish smile as he replied.

“Hale.” I let out a frustrated sound.

“What? Are you really going to come between a man and his fishing lures?”

“No. I don’t know. I’m not sure what’s going on here. Did you change your mind about the breakup?”

There was a long pause before he spoke again. “No. I still think it’s a good idea. We both need to take some time and figure out what we really want for ourselves and our futures. But I promised your parents I’d come by, and I can’t go back on my word to Gordon and Marjorie.”

There was a pause before he spoke again. “Tell you what—I’ll stop by, talk lures for a bit with your dad, then I’ll tell your parents something came up and I can’t stay for dinner after all. Deal?”

I hesitated, my earlier irritation soothed by Hale’s gentle tone and predictably sensible manner. I pictured him there alone in his big house, his warm, brown eyes tired after a long day of work, the TV playing quietly in the background his only company.

“No. Just stay for dinner. Of course you can stay. See you Monday, Hale.”

FOUR

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