I didn’t laugh with him. I walked alongside him as we made our way past my security and into separate cars.

As my driver pulled off, I took out my phone and saw that Penelope had texted me hours ago. Right before Travis arrived at the bench.

Penelope: Can I have a raincheck for tonight? Simon surprised me again.

Penelope: I’ll make this up to you, I promise.

Penelope: Hayden?

* * *

 

I let out a sigh and texted her back.

* * *

 

Me: Of course. I spent most of the night talking to your brother anyway.

Penelope: I need to ask you about something later. Can I call you in an hour?

Me: Sure.

Fifteen (B)

Present Day

Hayden

My phone sounded with Penelope’s signature ringtone early in the morning. I rolled over and noticed the time. Five fifteen.

What the hell? I grabbed it and swiped the screen.

“Yes, Penelope?” I answered.

“Were you sleeping?”

“Clearly.” I groaned. “What’s going on?”

“I’ll be quick,” she said. “Hold on. Let me move.”

The faint sound of elevator music and laughter came over the line.

“Have you ever had truffles?” She asked. “I think they’re a bit overrated.”

“I know that this is not what you called to talk about.”

“I called to tell you that I feel like I’m living in the pages of a romance,” she said. “Simon is perfect. He surprised me and Tatiana with this invite to a private truffle tasting. In the center of mine, he wrote a note saying that he’s really glad we found each other again.”

“You need advice on this?”

“He wants to take me to the Bahamas for a week,” she said. “We’d have separate suites since he’s there for business, but is it too early?”

I said nothing.

I wasn’t used to her dating someone with extreme financial means, someone who had access to so much and was willing to use it so soon.

“When exactly is he trying to take you away from me?”

“What?”

“When is he trying to take you away?”

“The end of next month,” she said. “After your gala.”

“Hmmm.”

“Hmmm, this is good, or Hmmm this is not good?”

“Hmmm. This is interesting.”

“Well, he doesn’t need an answer right away, so whenever you determine which one it is, let me know.”

“I will.”

Silence stretched over the line for several seconds.

“I feel like we haven’t talked in a while,” we said in unison.

She laughed. “Good to know the feeling is mutual. How are you letters coming? I saw the editor of Vogue reading hers aloud to her fans on social media.”

“She didn’t tell them that she sent me a letter saying that she’d only accept it if I doubled her check and gave her ten extra tickets to the gala.”

“Did you?”

“Only because I didn’t have a choice.”

“Of course.” She laughed again. “Is Lawrence happy with the good press?”

“Lawrence is never happy, but I think he’ll be less stressed out after the Tinder thing.”

“You could just lie and say that you did steal it so we can settle it once and for all.”

“Then they’d sue me for all of eternity.” I needed to change the subject. “You really like Simon?”

“Yeah, I do. I think he’s the nicest guy I’ve ever dated. I think he’ll be the first guy who actually believes we’re just best friends.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I sat up, convinced I was hearing things.

“Oh, just that—” She let out a breath. “I tend to forget how much I call or hang out with you.”

“We haven’t hung out that much lately.”

“That’s the point I’m trying to make.”

“Can you try a bit harder?” I asked. “I’m still not getting it.”

Her light and raspy laugh came over the line. “Go back to sleep. You’re being a grouch.”

“Fine.” I lay back down again. “Again, though. You really like him?”

“Yes, I do. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Sixteen

Present Day

Penelope

Subject: For Hayden

Hey Sarah.

Hayden’s phone is going to voicemail again, and he hasn’t “read” my text. Can you tell him that I’ll need a raincheck on Central Park tonight?

P.S.—Can you also tell him that I’ll need some advice on what to wear for a hotel’s groundbreaking ceremony?

—Penelope

Subject: Wagner’s + Missed Your Call

Sorry *sad face emoji*

I forgot to text you in the heat of the moment. Simon showed up and took me on a drive across the Hudson.

Also, I was knocked out last night, so that’s why I missed your call.

P.S.—I still need your thoughts on the Bahamas trip. Yay? Nay? Wait?

Subject: ???!!

Hey.

Are you getting any of my texts lately? All of them are still “on read.”

Also, we finally got past the sweet kissing and dry-humped on his couch. It was pretty hot for dry humping :-) .

Anyway, I’ll need a raincheck on Central Park this Thursday, too. I’ll tell you about it later.

Pen

P.S.—No, really. Is your phone broken or something?

Subject: Raincheck Requests in Advance

Should I just assume that every day this week will have a raincheck request?

It would seriously save me unnecessary conversations with my boss.

Thank you.

Sarah

P.S.—His phone is definitely not broken …

Seventeen

Present Day

Hayden

There was no raincheck today. No request for an extension, only an “I’m running late” text which was the first thing that felt normal in weeks.

According to Lawrence, my personal brand was looking better and better by the day, and he hadn’t felt the need to double his blood pressure medicine.

His daily,“So proud of you son!” text messages and emails were supposed to be encouraging, but they were simply a result of me working as hard as I could to not think about Penelope.

I was hoping that our lunch at Tully’s today would bring her back into my orbit, and our lives could align as they did before.

Before Simon.

I sat in the back booth and sipped my water.

“Mario?” I called out to the manager. “Can you turn on the TV?”

“Certainly, Mr. Hunter. What channel?”