Page 7 of Closer than Ever

Hayley smiled. She took a sip of her beer. “Man, that’s delicious. Is this your local pub?”

“Yep. My house is around the corner.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing it.”

“This pub is pretty much the centre of town.”

“I love that. I’ve never lived in a place like this. You are very lucky.”

Anna smiled. “I know. I’m very grateful.”

“Your shorter hair suits you. It looked great longer, don’t get me wrong, but this is nice.” Hayley reached over and ran her fingers through the ends of Anna’s hair and down the side of her neck, resting there.

The touch sent a powerful wave of tingles through Anna’s body, like lightning, which she could do nothing about. Damn it. So that was definitely still there then. Anna cleared her throat. “I’m growing it out. It’s at an awkward length.”

“It’s so smooth.” Hayley took back her hand, not meeting Anna’s eyes. She seemed flustered, which was unlike Hayley. At least, unlike the old Hayley Anna once thought she knew.

Hayley had run her hands through Anna’s hair when they had slept together that one and only time. It had felt so loving at the time, but Anna had misread that. Anna clenched her jaw, willing herself to forget the past.

“So.” She changed the subject. “Tell me how it went leaving the corporate world.”

Hayley leant back and unzipped her fleece. “It’s done. I quit. Moved out of my apartment and put all my stuff in storage. I’m renting it out while I’m away. My boss thinks I’m making a huge mistake. He offered me a career break and to come back in six months instead of leaving completely. But I said it’s not a career I want any more and cut all ties with them.”

“Wow. You’re so brave.”

Hayley took a drink of beer, looking pensive. “Or stupid. I don’t know. All I know is that I had to get out of there. I’ve felt trapped for a long time. I wasn’t having fun or enjoying my life any more. I didn’t want my boss’s job, so I had no incentive to keep growing and developing. I was killing the job but it was killing me.” Hayley paused. “I couldn’t continue to waste my life there.”

“You did what was best for you. And that is brave. You’ve done the right thing. I truly believe that.” Anna fought the urge to squeeze her hand or give her a big hug.

Hayley looked deeply into her eyes, seemingly touched by Anna’s words. “Thank you, Anna.”

“And your parents, have they come around yet?”

Hayley grimaced. “Not yet. Not fully. My mum is trying to be supportive, in her way. My dad isn’t.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I get that they’re disappointed. But I can’t live my life for them.”

“Do you have a clearer idea of what you want to do instead?”

Hayley’s eyes danced. “I have so many ideas. That’s the problem. I’ve been thinking about starting my own business doing digital design stuff. I’m excited about the idea of travel vlogging – as a way of life, almost. Or there’s working in the travel industry, which has always appealed to me. I have some money saved up from my time at the bank and some investments, so I have a little bit of time to figure out what I’m going to do next, which is amazing.”

“Sounds like you’ve got a lot to think about.”

“I can’t choose between them.”

“That’s a good problem to have,” Anna said.

“Aside from all that, I just need a vacation. I’ve worked hard for years. I can’t even remember the last time I took some proper personal time off.”

“That’s no good.”

“All I really want to do right now is travel and have a good time.”

“You deserve to live a little. Life’s too short not to do the things you enjoy.”

“I couldn’t agree more. You know”?Hayley looked down at her drink then back up, with a hint of insecurity in her eyes?“Scotland is the last place I ever felt truly happy and free, the last time I felt most like myself.”

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