Page 96 of The Husband Diet
‘I know, but everything is such a mess,’ I sobbed, then sniffed. ‘How did you know it was me?’
‘Because you’re the only fool who would be up at this ungodly hour? Besides, I have caller ID, silly, remember?’
‘Right,’ I said as I dashed the back of my hand into my eye. ‘I forgot.’
‘So, what’s up?’
‘I’m so, so tired of all this. I just want to go now. I’m still looking for a place in Tuscany, possibly near your place.’
‘Tell you what. I’ll ring up my good friend Roberto Luzzi again and give him a kick up the ass, OK?’
I swallowed. ‘OK. Nothing too expensive. I don’t have a big budget.’
‘Just send me an email with your specifics and I’ll forward it to him. OK?’
‘OK,’ I answered.
‘Have you told Julian you want to go?’
I sighed. Never more than a step behind me, my Paulie. ‘Not yet, but I will.’
He sighed. ‘The guy’s crazy for you. He’s got a right to know.’
‘I know, but what if it doesn’t last?’ I whispered, feeling sad and grateful and hopeful at the same time. I was so afraid to let myself go to someone and ruin it all over again.
‘Honey, he’s friggin’ perfect for you.’
I smiled and swiped at a tear. Julianwasworth the risk.
‘Don’t waste any more time, Erica. Nab him now before somebody else does.’ He yawned. ‘Now go get some shut-eye. You’ve got a long day ahead of you and I need my beauty sleep.’
I smiled into my phone. ‘OK,’ I answered. ‘See you tomorrow?’
‘You betcha, baby,’ he said and made kissing noises. ‘Now, get off the phone and go to bed!’
I hung up. Bless his soul.
35
Seduction/Abduction
March melted into April, defined by the poet T.S. Eliot as ‘the cruelest month’. I guess he must have known what April had in store for us. And still I hadn’t asked Julian, my excuse being I wanted the relationship to grow a little more before I sprung this on him. I wanted to havesomesort of history behind us before I blew us to smithereens.
‘Erica, Maxine Moore on the phone for you on line two,’ Jackie informed me from my office door.
Jesus! not bloody Pristine Maxine again. I hadn’t seen her since the supermarket episode. ‘Tell her she can go to hell.’
‘She says it’s urgent.’
‘Just hang up on her, Jackie.’
‘I can’t do that.’
‘Here, give me the phone, then,’ I snapped, and clicked it shut.
As soon as I disconnected, Jackie said, ‘Erica, your principal on line three.’
‘He’s notmyprincipal,’ I muttered as I reached for the phone, but something very warm washed over me, making me feel real good. Nowhewas someone I’d gladly talk to anytime. ‘Hey, Julian,’ I chimed.
