Page 118 of Playing It Forward

“What?”

Hudson grunts. “Stay home today.”

“Why? What did Nolan tell you? Is he trying to get me fired?”

He sighs. “I wanted to stay out of this. I am perfectly happy ignoring the private lives of my employees. But Nova wouldn’t allow it. She insisted I phone you and tell you to take a day off.”

I groan. There goes any hope the entire island doesn’t know. Hudson is practically a recluse. If he knows the gossip. The entire island knows. Great. Just great.

“Nolan didn’t dump me. I dumped him.”

“Stop. I seriously don’t want to know. Especially since you’ll be back together again soon enough.”

“Back together again? I don’t think so. Hold on. Did you bet we’re getting back together? Who’s voting we won’t get back together? Wait. I don’t want to know.”

“I’ll send Nova over. Talk to her.”

“No!” I shout. “Nova will bring her friends, and before I know what’s happening, we’ll have slashed the tires of the entire Seals team.”

He snorts. “Give Nova some credit. Her ideas for revenge are much more inventive than slashing tires.”

“But you admit she’s already concocting plans. Please don’t send her over. I’ll come into work.”

“I’ll pull her off her revenge mission if you promise to stay home.”

“Fine. I’ll stay home.”

“Good.” I can practically hear the smirk in his voice. He planned this all along. I should have known. Everyone on this island is devious.

“You little—”

He hangs up.

I drop my phone on the nightstand. At least I don’t need to get out of bed now. I can lay here and nurse my heartbreak all day.

The doorbell wakes me some time later. I must have fallen asleep. I ignore the doorbell and roll over. Whoever it is will go away.

Except they don’t. They press the doorbell and hold. Drowning pirates. So much for avoiding the world today.

I throw the covers off and climb out of bed. I stomp down the hallway to the front door. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My hair is sticking up in all directions, and my eyes are red from crying.

I freeze. I can’t answer the doorbell looking like this. I whirl around, intent on at least washing my face.

“I can see you!” a man shouts through the door.

So much for washing my face. I yank the door open. A middle-aged man is standing on my porch. His arms are crossed over his chest, and he appears furious.

I inch backwards. Nope. Wrong move. I don’t want this man – whoever he is – in my house. I step outside and shut the front door behind me.

I scan the street. At least two neighbors are now standing on their porches watching. One has a phone to her ear and gives me a thumbs-up. Good. She contacted the police.

“I think you have the wrong house,” I tell the man.

“Are you Terri Jordan?” I nod. “I have the right house.”

“I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

“I’m Mr. Allen.”