“I’ll stay,” I whispered, even though I doubted that he understood or cared. If things with Lew didn’t work out, I’d have to pivot to plan B, but of one thing I was certain: my future lay here in Scotland.
***
The rest of the month slipped through my fingers.
Lew was busy with preparations for the rest of the year. The first two brewing courses for late February and early April had sold out already. Just the other day, a desperate Maddie had asked me if I was interested in helping her with their social media for a bit longer.
So, Lew and I worked and pretended that Valentine’s Day wasn’t approaching fast.
He still thinks you’ll be gone by then.
I spent some evenings at LFD; sometimes we hung out with Maddie and Fitz, or SweetPea and Clara, who, I was sure hadsomethinggoing on. Lew and I had the best sex, ran errands together, went on hikes on the weekends, and spent a lot of time just hanging out with Mr Pickles. Yet every time I tried to bring up my cancelled flight, I either chickened out or Lew changed the subject.
He wants to enjoy the time we have. I get it, baby, but can you not make it this hard for me to tell you I don’t want to leave?
A few days before Valentine’s Day one of my friends from school slid into my DMs. Chloe and I had been pretty close until we’d graduated. Then, like most of my friendships, it had slowly faded away.
Ch1oe05: Hey Noah
Ch1oe05: Hope you’re doing okay!
Ch1oe05: I heard you on the radio. Can’t believe I know someone famous!
You don’t know me anymore.
Ch1oe05: A couple of people from school want to get together for drinks tonight
Ch1oe05: You’re in the area, aren’t you?
Ch1oe05: I saw your posts
Chloe sent a side eye emoji and I snorted at the screen.
She means the images of Lew and me.
Surprisingly, I found I didn’t give a fuck. I had always liked Chloe, but I’d choose Lewis over her any day.
thenoahbright: Hey!
thenoahbright: Good to hear from you
thenoahbright: I’ve got to check with Lew if we can make it
There’s no me without him, and you just want to hang out with famous Noah Bright.
Lew wanted me for myself, not for the following I had built.
Ch1oe05: Oh, yeah, of course
Ch1oe05: Didn’t know you two were an item
thenoahbright: Yeah, it’s pretty fresh
Pretty fresh.I snorted at my choice of words.You’ve been in love with him for 18 years. So fresh, Bright.
Ch1oe05: Just let me know, yeah?
Ch1oe05: We’re meeting at half eight at the White Waters in Kincardie
