I loaded up my trolley, smiling at the thought of seeing Hennessy again this afternoon on the bus. We’d talked on the phone twice yesterday, once when he called when I was in aisle three of the supermarket having a conversation with Mr Collins, a guy who frequents the library, about the importance of psyllium husk in a man’s diet—which, believe me, was promptly added to my list of things I never needed to know—and Hennessy had laughed for a solid minute, and then I called him last night. I totally did not call him when I was lying in bed just to hear the sound of his voice. It just so happened I was artfully reclined in my room and his voice in my ear is what happens when you speak to someone on the phone.

But it was nice and it made me feel all gooey inside, so shut up.

And my heart just about galloped out of my chest when I got on the bus and saw him, grinning at me with a vacant seat next to him. I made my way up to the back of the bus, thankful I didn’t trip over my own feet and ignoring the ridiculously giddy grins the Soup Crew were giving me. I mean really, Mrs Petrovski was about bouncing in her seat, and when I sat beside Hennessy and he leaned in real close, giving me a slow, gentle nudge, she just about expired.

“Hey,” he said, all casual-like while my insides were a full-on carnival parade.

“Hey.”

“How was work?”

“Great. And yours?”

“Busy. The contract should wrap up this week. Next week at the latest.”

“That’ll be good, right? You won’t have to see whatshisname again?”

“It’ll be so good. I spent three hours with him today, going over parameters and firewalls.”

“Sounds painful,” I said.

He grimaced. “I’d rather be rolled in honey and tied over a nest of fire ants, but going home to have an acid bath will have to suffice.”

“Whatever works.” I chuckled, not even remotely guilty for being pleased he hated having to spend time with his ex. “Though I hope they know how professional you are for enduring that every day. It can’t be easy.”

He shrugged. “They do know. But I don’t mind,” he said wistfully. “Because Michael told him all about how I’ve been seeing a new guy and how I was never this happy when I was with him. So if that’s any kind of bonus, I’ll take it wrapped with a big-arse bow and a side of gleefully spiteful.”

I gasped, giving him a nudge, ignoring how my innards were now re-enacting a circus acrobatic routine. “I hear gleefully spiteful is the new black.”

Hennessy grinned at me. “Maybe after my acid bath, I could call you while I’m artfully reclined in my bed.”