Body and Soul (Twist of Fate 3)

“Wade and I usually go snowboarding on the weekends. If you ever want to try it out, just give us a ring,” he said, handing me a card with the shop info on it as well as his name, Keith. “That’s my cell on there. Even if you don’t want to hit the slopes, I’d love to take you out for a drink. Give me a call.”

The wink he gave me was adorable, but didn’t exactly make my stomach jangle the way certain other stupid people did. I smiled and gave him my thanks before sitting down at one of the little tables with my lunch. The people I’d met in Haven so far, with the exception of a certain someone I wasn’t going to think about, were super friendly and welcoming. Zoey needed a place like this. Unlike me, she’d had a great childhood, but sadly, she’d lost several members of her family in the past few years. She’d ended up becoming a magnet for guys who didn’t know how to treat her right. The latest, Paolo, was the worst of the lot. The way the man talked to her, not to mention the fact that he constantly cheated on her… well, it just made me wish I knew how to fight because I’d give anything to deck the guy. I’d had to settle for Boo pooping in his shoes once.

Zoey answered the phone on the third ring.

“Hey, cutie,” she said, out of breath. “How’s the smoking-hot neighbor?”

“We’re not talking about it,” I groaned. I should have never mentioned Jake to her in the first place. “How are you?”

There was a lengthy pause. I wondered if I’d interrupted her while she was working on something or out somewhere.

“Is this a bad time?” I asked.

“No, it’s fine… I just… I miss you, Oz. Things aren’t the same without you here.”

She sounded sad, and I wondered how much of that was missing me and how much was related to whatever Paolo had done this time. Zoey and I had fought so much over the man that we’d had to agree to an embargo on the whole Paolo-is-a-dick-and-you-can-do-better conversation.

“You still doing okay for money?” I asked. “Did you get the check?”

I heard her sigh. “Yes, but I told you not to do that. I’m fine.”

“I know you are,” I quickly said. “It’s just a little something to tide you over until I can get home and spoil you properly.”

While Zoey had started off modeling like me, the jobs were coming fewer and farther between and she’d ended up taking a part-time job in telemarketing. She never admitted it, but it hadn’t been hard to figure out that she was struggling financially, especially since Paolo had a habit of borrowing money from her that he somehow never managed to pay back. I tried to supplement her income by paying for things whenever we went out together, but when I’d offered to pay her rent, she’d put her foot down. I’d ended up sneaking a check into the envelope that I’d left the key to my apartment in so she could stop by and water my plants while I was gone… or even better, move out of the dive she lived in and come live with me like I’d been begging her to for months.

“Did you get the email about the ticket for Christmas? You are still coming, right?” I asked, hoping the reminder would give us both something to look forward to. “I have plans to decorate my cabin before you get here. I’ve already picked up some adorable stuff. Can’t wait to see what you think.” My plan to distract her from the fact that I’d booked a flight for her before she could do it herself worked because she didn’t argue when she responded.

“Yep, I’ll be there. So tell me, how are you coming on those goals? Did you get the heat fixed?”

I laughed. “No, but someone’s working on it. But you’ll be happy to hear I went out with some new friends last night. Got stupidly tipsy and had a very nice time.” And it was true. As much as this morning had sucked, the evening had been a ball, even the snuggling on Jake part.

“Good for you! I’m proud of you, babe. That’s the Oz I know and love. What’s next on your agenda? Have you started sewing yet?”

I told her about the smoke damage and having to re-order some of the fabric.

“But it’s fine because while I wait for it to arrive, I’ve accidentally found myself involved in a pro bono design project at the local healthcare clinic,” I explained. She must have been able to hear the excitement in my voice because she squeaked with happiness and asked for details.

“That’s right up your alley, Oz. How fucking great is that? Will you text me your sketches and let me see what you come up with?”