Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters, #2)

Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters, #2)

Tessa Bailey



Dedication

To the nurses and doctors of NYU Langone Health—particularly 15 West, Tisch Building, Manhattan




Prologue



September 15

HANNAH (6:00 PM): Hey. Fox?

FOX (10:20 PM): Yeah.

H (10:22 PM): It’s Hannah. Bellinger? I got your number from Brendan.

F (10:22 PM): Hannah. Shit. Sorry, I would have answered sooner.

H (10:23 PM): No, it’s fine. Is it weird of me to text you?

F (10:23 PM): Not weird at all, Freckles. You make it back to LA safely?

H (10:26 PM): Not a scratch on me. Missing that signature Westport fish aroma already (only half kidding). Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for the Fleetwood Mac record you left on my sister’s doorstep. You really didn’t have to do that.

F (10:27 PM): No big deal. I could tell you wanted it.

H (10:29 PM): How could you tell? Was it me openly sobbing when I left it behind at the expo?

F (10:30 PM): Kind of tipped me off.

H (10:38 PM): Ah. Well. I wish you could hear it play in person. It’s magic.

F (10:42 PM): Maybe someday.

H (10:43 PM): Maybe. Thanks again.

F (11:01 PM): You didn’t have to tell me your last name. There’s only one Hannah.

H (11:02 PM): Sorry, can’t say the same. I know several Fox’s.

October 3

FOX (4:03 PM): Hey Hannah

HANNAH (4:15 PM): Hey! What’s up?

F (4:16 PM): Just pulled back into the harbor after 3 days out.

F (4:18 PM): This is stupid, but you’re okay, right?

H (4:19 PM): I mean, my therapist would probably say that’s debatable. Physically I’m in one piece tho. Why?

F (4:20 PM): Just a weird dream. IDK . . . I dreamed you were missing. Or lost?

H (4:25 PM): That wasn’t a dream. Send a chopper.

F (4:25 PM):

F (4:26 PM): Fishermen don’t ignore the dreams they have on water. Sometimes they’re nothing, other times they’re a premonition.

H (4:30 PM): If anyone worries in this friendship, it should be me. I’ve seen the Perfect Storm.

F (4:32 PM): That makes me Wahlberg in this scenario?

H (4:33 PM): Depends. Can you pull off white boxer briefs?

F (4:34 PM): And then some, babe.

F (4:40 PM): So this is a friendship?

H (4:45 PM): Yeah. Are you on board? (fishing puns, they are happening)

F (4:48 PM): I’m . . . yeah. So I can just text you whenever?

H (4:50 PM): Yeah.

F (4:55 PM): Okay then.

H (4:56 PM): Okay then.

October 22

FOX (10:30 PM): Hey, Freckles. What are you up to?

HANNAH (10:33 PM): Hey. Not much. How can you tell if you have a “flat” tire?

F (10:33 PM): Why what’s going on??

H (10:35 PM): My car was making a weird noise, so I pulled over. I’m going to go check if it popped.

F (10:35 PM): Hannah it’s past ten o’clock at night. Stay in the car. LOCK THE DOORS and call a tow truck.

H (10:36 PM): Yeah . . . I won’t know how to describe where I am to them. One of the makeup artists at work had a séance. I think I’m in Los Feliz?

F (10:37 PM): You don’t know where you are?

F (10:38 PM): This is my dream. It’s happening. Premonition.

H (10:39 PM): Come on. No way.

F (10:40 PM): You were just at a séance and don’t get to be skeptical.

H (10:41 PM): You know what? That’s fair.

F (10:42 PM): Map your location on your phone and call a tow truck.

F (10:43 PM): Please?

H (10:45 PM): Are you this protective of all your female friends?

F (10:48 PM): You’re the only one I’ve got.

H (10:49 PM): Fine. I’m calling a tow truck.

F (10:49 PM):

November 22

HANNAH (12:36 AM): Are you awake?

FOX (12:37 AM): Wide.

H (12:38 AM): Are you alone?

F (12:38 AM): Yes, Hannah. I’m alone.

H (12:40 AM): Let’s start “Leaving on a Jet Plane” at the exact same time and listen to it together.

F (12:41 AM): Hang on. I have to download it.

H (12:42 AM): You’re killing me.

F (12:42 AM): Sry my phone isn’t a music encyclopedia like yours. Why this song?

H (12:44 AM): IDK. I miss my sister. A little in my feelings about it. Have you seen her around town?

F (12:45 AM): I’ve seen her lipstick on Brendan’s collar. That count?

H (12:47 AM): That’s why I’m bugging you, instead of her. I don’t want to burst their bliss bubble.

F (12:48 AM): You’re not bugging me, Freckles. Ok ready?

H (12:48 AM): Yup. Go.

F (12:51 AM): It’s crazy how much better this song is than I remember. Why am I not listening to this all the time?

H (12:52 AM): Now you can. Isn’t it amazing?

F (12:53 AM): Uh-huh. Do I get to pick next?

H (12:55 AM): Oooh. Okay. Whatcha got for me, Peacock?

F (12:57 AM): Something to cheer you up. You have the Scissor Sisters in that encyclopedia phone?

H (12:58 AM): Studio albums or live? Yes to both.

F (12:59 AM): Jesus, should have known. Start “I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’” in 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . .