Page 14 of Somehow You Knew

Needing space from him and the enormity of this meeting, I grab my purse from the floor and stand. “Look, I’m going to take the week to think. Can we meet back here then?” I look down at Gage. “Does that sound good to you?”

His eyes narrow, but he nods curtly. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Why don’t you two exchange phone numbers in case you have questions?” Timothy suggests.

Gage sighs, pulls his phone from his pocket, and opens up to add a new contact, handing it to me.

I quickly type in my number and, just to fuck with him, I save my name asSpitfire??.

“There. Now you know how to reach me, if you must,” I say to Gage with a bit too much snark in my voice.

He glances at the screen, one brow lifting, but doesn’t say anything.

I turn back to Timothy and flash him the best smile I can muster. “Thanks, Tim. I know this isn’t your fault. You’re doing what Diane asked… I just need some time.”

“Understandable. Have a good day, Hazel.”

I twist, push through the door, and race to my car, reeling from what just happened.

Me? Get married to a perfect stranger? For money?

Well, he’s not acompletestranger, Hazel…

“Ugh. Stupid Hummingbird Guy,” I mutter to myself, racing back to Blueberry and wishing my life wasn’t turned upside down by this monumental decision that I now have to make.

***

“5.1 million dollars?!” Laney screeches through the phone.

I wince, pulling it away from my ear. “I know, right? I mean, that’s a lot of fucking money.” I continue to stroke the top of Blueberry’s head as he lies in my lap on the couch, his red cape curled around his back.

“Exactly. Can you imagine how you could expand your business with that? The trips you could go on, the house you could build for yourself…” Her voice trails off. “Why on earth would Gage be so quick to give that up?”

That’s the same thought that’s been going through my mind all afternoon since the meeting. It’s currently after eight, and I’m ready to call it a day, go to sleep, and see if I wake up and convince myself that today was just a dream. But I know better.

I know I tried convincing myself that Hummingbird Guy wasn’t real, but after today, I think it’s safe to say that my imagination is shit.

I chew my lip, considering. “Maybe he’s just one of those men that’s afraid of commitment. That would explain why he turned it down without a second thought.”

“That’s a possibility, but I think there’s more to it than that. What exactly had Diane told you about him?”

I think back over the numerous times she brought him up in conversation. “Only that he lived in Florida, was a tattoo artist, and she thought he was the perfect man for me. But after how he acted today? I’m beginning to wonder if Diane was losing it long before she died.”

Laney huffs out a laugh. “Don’t say that.”

“I mean it. You should’ve seen him in that meeting. He acted like the idea of being married to me was repulsive.” I groan. “And he doesn’t even remember me, Laney.”

“Oh my God! What?” She’s offended on my behalf.

“I know. I know.” I sigh. “But even if he did remember, there’s no way he’s agreeing to this. He probably cycles through women like underwear, and this would throw a wrench in his promiscuous lifestyle.”

Laney laughs but then grows serious again. “Is the only reason you want to do this is for the money?”

“I mean, it’s a huge selling point…”

“What about the fact that Diane thought you two belong together?”

“I’ve already told you. She was going crazy. That’s the only explanation for her thought process. And besides, she knew about my vow of celibacy and life of loneliness. I thought of all people, she would understand why I felt being alone was better than settling for someone not meant for me. But according to her letter, she had some regrets about giving up on love.”