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Trying to reconstruct the events that led to such a late wake-up, I remembered the relief I felt after sharing my story with Sasha. It was like shedding the heavy weight I’d carried since arriving in Ireland. I must have drifted off shortly afterward, allowing Sasha to slip away.
Putting on a pair of sweatpants and a shirt I found on the floor, I strolled into the living room, expecting to find her there.
“Hey man, good night?” Ryan greeted me with a broad grin.
I chuckled, “I could ask you the same. You and Ella seemed comfortable.”
Ryan smiled, “She’s amazing. Never thought I’d fall for a British girl, but I think I’m in love.” He stated as he clutched his chest dramatically.
I laughed. “I’m happy for you man. Where is she and her sidekick?” I asked, scanning the room.
“Oh, Sasha didn’t tell you?”
“No,” I replied, my voice trailing off, sensing the conversation taking a turn.
“Sasha decided to continue her holiday in London with Ell. Their flight left an hour ago.”
My stomach dropped, and my throat tightened. It had only been one night, but I felt a connection with Sasha that went beyond a simple international fling, and I thought she had felt the same. Was I crazy for thinking that she would have wanted more than a one-night stand?
Panic flashed across my face, catching Ryan’s attention. “Hey, it’s okay, man. Ell invited me to join them in London. Want to stop there before you head back to the States?”
I considered it. I didn’t just want to see Sasha; I needed to see her. Whatever began in this small Irish cottage stirred something in me, and I wasn’t ready to let that feeling slip away. A few extra days before returning to reality seemed like an easy decision.
Nodding, I said, “Call Ella and see what she says about me coming too.”
Ryan dialed Ella’s number, and she answered on the first ring. “Hey babe!” she exclaimed.
“You back in London yet?”
“We just got back to my flat.”
“Good. Are you still good with me coming to visit tomorrow for a few days?” he asked.
“Yep, my bed is going to be cold without you here,” she replied.
I rolled my eyes as Ryan grinned back at me like a love-struck puppy.
“Don’t mention it to Sasha, but how do you think she’d feel about Ethan joining me?” he asked.
Ella hesitated for a moment. “I don’t think she’d mind,” she responded. “My brother, Niall, is staying with me for my niece’s birthday but Ethan can crash on one of the couches. Sasha and Niall are sight-seeing right now.”
My heart sank, and Ryan’s eyebrows shot up. “Your brother? Niall’s your younger brother, right?” he asked.
“Oh no, that’s Oliver. Niall is my older brother. He’s 32,” she responded. “Don’t tell Ethan, but I actually think he’s crushing on Sasha pretty hard.” Unaware of the speakerphone, she casually shared that information.
Ryan’s eyes shifted to me nervously.
I turned on my heel, storming back to my room, packing angrily.
I know I didn’t have any right to be jealous, I’d known Sasha for 24 hours. But the bed, still warm from Sasha’s presence, felt like a cruel reminder of her already being with another man. One night stand or not, the least I could do was fly there and tell her how I felt before returning to my reality in the States.
Chapter 12: Sasha
Ella’s brother Niall and I strolled through the downtown streets of London basking in the beautiful March day.
When Ella and I had touched down earlier, he’d immediately offered to take me around to sightsee. It was my first time in the city, and I appreciated the gesture while Ella hung back and caught up on sleep from the night before, something I probably should have done too.
Sleep had alluded me the past 9 months and though I’d been having fun and enjoying the journey, I still found it difficult to fall asleep in a new city.
