Chapter 9: Escape to Maple Hollow

When I woke up, I turned my phone back on. Camellia had called a million times, which annoyed me. So I blocked him too.

I called Jamie: “Hey, didn’t you say you have a cabin in Vermont?”

“Yeah, my ex gave it to me. Why?”

He sounded like he’d been steamrolled, probably partied all night. I clicked my tongue: “Seriously, even if you’re made of iron, pace yourself.”

Jamie: “When did you turn into my ex?”

Whatever. I continued: “Don’t want to stay in New York, want to go to Vermont for a break.”

“Oh, I’ll send you the address later.” He sounded lazy, then asked: “Sis, want me to come with you?”

“No need.”

As soon as he heard how down I sounded, he perked up: “No way! One call of ‘sis’ and I’m there. I’ll go with you.”

After saying that, he bought two plane tickets. But I never saw Jamie in the airport lounge. Right before boarding, he sent a rushed voice message:

“Sis, you go to Vermont first. I just saw my ex—damn, he’s even hotter now! Once I get my ex hooked again, I’ll have him deal with Caleb!”

Do I believe you, or that Abraham Lincoln just came back to life? Whatever, my friend is off rekindling his old flame. I wish him happiness.

I replied: “Remember to bring plenty of little umbrellas.”

Jamie sent an OK sticker: “All set.”

The airport intercom droned overhead as I shouldered my duffel, the scent of overpriced cinnamon rolls and tired business travelers drifting by. Vermont, at least, would have quiet. And if I ran into a moose instead of a model, well, maybe that’s what I needed.