Page 123 of The Wedding Forecast

‘You didn’t end it for me, did you?’ she says. ‘Because I don’t know what I’m talking about. And if you want to fly over there and see if you can make it work with him, I’ll totally support that. I’ll come and visit all the time. I’ll help you shop for New York clothes.’

‘No,’ I say. ‘No, I’m not going over there. And I didn’t do it for you. I did for me.’

‘Well, good. Are you really going to freeze your eggs?’

‘Yes. In two years.’

‘Okay. Me too.’

‘Hayley. You’re married.’

‘I know.’

‘You don’t have to have kids, you know.’

‘I know. I want them. I think. It always feels like I’ll be ready soon, but soon never seems to come.’

‘We still have so much time.’

‘I know.’

‘Are you…’ I pause. ‘Are you okay with the stuff about the bookshop?’

‘Yes. I was being ridiculous. You don’t have to work there.’

‘I want to work there. I told Bobbi I would take the position.’

‘You did?’

‘Yes.’

‘Good.’

‘Really good? Because if it’s too much, us living together, me working with Bobbi—’

‘Anna. It’s not. It’s my own weird issues.’

‘Do you want to talk about it?’

‘Not really. You know it all anyway. You’re special to my mum, the two of you have always had this connection, and I don’t feel like I have that in the same way. You know how things are with my dad. Mum is all I have. And sometimes I hate sharing her.’

‘Oh, Hayley.’

‘No, no, this is all…I’m telling you this so you know I’m over it. I’m good with it. I’ve dealt with it.’

‘But have you?’

‘Yes. Look. I’m making muffins. You know I only bake when I’ve processed everything.’

‘You’re special to me.’

‘I know.’

‘You provide me with shelter, entertainment, delicious muffins. I have nothing without you.’

‘Well, you’re lucky I am so committed to you.’

‘I am.’