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“The owners must be renting this house out while they get a permit approved for the new build,” Henley says.
You wish.
“No, Harry,” I reply.
“Henley,” he corrects me, unimpressed.
“I bought it.”
“What?” He frowns. “What do you mean, you bought it?”
He means, How could I afford a house on this street? Judgy prick. I begin to hear my angry heartbeat in my ears. “What else could I mean, Harry? I bought the house.”
“Henley,” he spits through gritted teeth. “Don’t call me Harry again.” His eyes hold mine, and it’s really hard not to burst out laughing. This forgetting-him plan is a hoot.
God, I’m brilliant.
“Nice to meet you,” he lies before storming off. “Goodbye, Carol,” he calls over his shoulder.
“Bye,” Carol calls. “I’ll make you some scones on Sunday, Henley.”
“Not necessary.” He waves his hand in the air and keeps walking.
Carol stares after him, perplexed. “He must be very busy. He’s usually so warm and welcoming; he’s never abrasive like that.” She raises her eyebrows as she contemplates his reaction to me.
Only friendly on first dates when he wants to get his dick wet . . . asshole.
I’m infuriated just by seeing him again.
“Thanks for the scones.” I smile. “It was lovely to meet you. I have to get going.”
“Goodbye, Juliet.”
I wave and walk back into my house and feel a little proud of myself as I close the door.
That went okay. I’ll probably never run into him again. Maybe this won’t be the disaster I thought it was going to be.
An hour later, I fold a T-shirt and throw it into Mom’s suitcase as it lies on her bed. “Now remember,” I tell her as I pack her things, “if anyone tries to grab you or you feel unsafe, call the tour guide immediately.”
“I know.”
“And if Dad gets too chatty with people, don’t let him tell them all his details. You know he’s an oversharer, and you can’t trust everyone that you meet overseas. It isn’t the same as home, Mom.”
“Yes. Yes, I know.” Mom rolls her eyes at my lecturing.
“And if Dad’s ankle gives him trouble, it’s okay to have a few rest days at the hotel.”
“Oh, Juliet, stop worrying.” She sighs.
I exhale heavily. With all the house stuff I’ve had going on, it’s only just hitting me that my parents are traveling alone for the first time overseas. It’s a little terrifying. “If anything medical happens, just call me, and I’m on the first plane.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Someone’s at the door,” my dad calls from the bathroom.
“Who would that be?” Mom asks.
“I think it’s the delivery man.” I throw the sweater into the case and bound down the stairs. I open the door to see Henley. “Oh,” I stammer, taken aback. “Henry.”
