I remember how I felt having the Board in my home. How uncomfortable it had been to have these people – effectively strangers – wandering through my home, my safe space. I don’t feel any of that right now.
I think I quite like it actually.
I watch as Noelle floats around the room, her smile radiant as she chats with each member of her family, pulling them into tight hugs and making sure that everyone feels welcome.
‘What’re your intentions with my sister,Alex?’
Eve sidles up next to me and wiggles her brows. I’ve known Eve for a grand total of fifteen minutes, but I get the distinct impression that she’s the kind of person who says whatever’s on her mind.
If I’m being honest, I respect it.
‘I’ll take whatever she’s willing to give me,’ I say, in the spirit of honesty. I’m well aware that whatever it is Noelle and I have developed these last four days, we need to sit in it some more. Figure out exactly what it is we want from each other and how we’ll fit into each other’s lives. But it doesn’t feel like a hopeless task; I feel like we could build something good – somethinggreateven.
I catch Noelle’s eye from across the room and she grins over at me, before her gaze slides over to her sister and she narrows her eyes.
Eve blows her a kiss and then turns her attention back to me. She surveys me for a few seconds before giving me a satisfactory nod. ‘All right. I approve. The wholehiring cars to bring us all up herething definitely chucked a few bonus points your way.’
I laugh, and I’m surprised at how easy it comes to me. I don’t think I’ve felt this light, this free, in a very long time. ‘Thanks?’
‘You’re welcome,’ Eve says absentmindedly, her dark brown eyes scanning the room for someone else. She settleson a tall man laughing in a corner with a group of people and her expression turns soft. ‘I just want Noelle to be happy.’
‘Me too.’ I don’t even have to think about it. I know, like the way you know deep, core truths about yourself, that Noelle’s happiness has quickly climbed the list of my priorities and claimed the number one spot.
Eve smiles and gives my arm a gentle squeeze before she floats across the room to drape herself over man she was looking out for.
I take a moment to observe the scene playing out in front of me, the warmth and laughter of Noelle’s family enveloping me in a way I never knew I craved. For so long, I’ve been content with my solitary existence, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that maybe I’m starting to want more.
A little bit of this every now and then wouldn’t be so bad, would it?
Noelle catches my eye from across the room, mutters something to the group she’s currently talking to, and then breaks free from their circle to come and stand directly in front of me.
I don’t get the chance to say a word before she’s wrapping her arms tightly around me, pulling me into a deep hug. I freeze for a moment – PDA is still a slightly foreign concept to me – but my arms start to move of their own accord, and I’m hugging her too.
I’m dimly aware that her family are watching – I’m prettysure Eve has pulled out her phone and is recording – but I can’t bring myself to focus on that right now.
The only thing that matters is the woman in my arms.
She leans back, just enough so she can see me fully, and smiles. ‘Thank you for all of this,’ she murmurs, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. ‘I know it’s probably –definitely– way out of your comfort zone, but it means the world to me.’
It means the world to me.
Maybe I am the modern-day Grinch, because I swear my heart grows about five sizes when she says that.
She stands up on her tiptoes and I pull her in close. I tilt my head down, meeting her halfway for a kiss that’s soft and sweet and makes my heart race like it never has before.
Noelle melts into it, her hands coming up to frame my face gently, and I have to resist the urge to pull her even closer.
When we finally break apart, she rests her forehead against mine, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.
‘Can I give you one last gift?’ I murmur against her lips.
Noelle pulls back slightly and laughs. ‘You don’t owe meanything, Alex.’
‘Just humour me.’
She nods and lets me guide her upstairs. Someone – Eve, I’m sure – hoots loudly as we disappear up the staircase.
‘I’m going to kill her,’ Noelle murmurs as we disappearthe sound of music, laughter and general merriment fades slightly. ‘Sorry, by the way. I must’ve absorbed all the filter between us in the womb and now she has none.’
