I take a deep breath and avert my gaze from the screen for a few seconds. Her words are creating a tidal wave behind my eyes. I can’t stay here; as soon as this song ends, I’ll ask Sheryl if I can go upstairs. I look around. I find Robin staring at me. What would she do if work took her back to the States? She wouldn’t go. I give her a small smile. She just moved in with Micky. From what Micky has told me, Robin wasn’t meant to stay in Sydney long-term, but she changed her plans. For love.

Once upstairs, I read the rest of the email.

I watched as many episodes of your show as I could, until my eyes hurt so much, I couldn’t keep them open. But of course, I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts were too preoccupied with you. Do I sound like a lovesick teenager? But I miss you so much already. Will you call me when you get this? I don’t care what time it is. I’ll happily wake up for you. I want to hear your voice, if only to make sure you’re real, and not some figment of my imagination. Did I lose my mind back in Australia? If so, whose email address is this? ;-)

I stop reading and scroll to her number. My heart beats in my throat as the phone rings. She picks up after two beeps.

“That was quick,” she says, and I can so clearly hear the smile in her voice.

“I’m at your beck and call, no matter the time zone I’m in.”

“Hey.” Her voice goes soft. “How are you?”

“Good now that I’m talking to you.” I take a deep breath. She hasn’t forgotten about me just yet. Distance hasn’t undone our mad feelings for each other. “Thank you for your email.”

“I expect one in return.”

We banter for a while and she tells me about her uneventful flight and going to fetch her cat, who hasn’t left her side since, and seeing her children again.

“Have you booked that flight as you promised?” she asks then.

“I just need to confirm it, but I wanted to double check with you first.”

“There’s nothing to double check, Zoya. As soon as you’re off work, come see me. Please.”

“I will.” Inside, I feel warm and fuzzy.

“Good. Can you get Caitlin to call your boss again and pull some strings so your show ends sooner?” She follows up with a chuckle.

“I’m quite sure not even Caitlin has that kind of sway with the network.”

“Pity.” Her voice is but a whisper. “I had a lot of time to think,” she says. “Are we crazy for doing this? For feeling like this?”

“No.” My tone is adamant. “Not crazy. We just fell in love.”