I open it to find him standing there, one arm propped against the doorframe, looking at me with an expression I can't quite read.There's something raw in his eyes, something vulnerable that makes my heart skip.
"I don't like that we just said goodnight and closed the door on this when there is so much that’s been left unsaid," he says, his voice low and rough."I don't know how long you're here for, but what are your plans for tomorrow?"
I try to keep my composure, try to act like my heart isn't doing backflips at the fact that he wants to see me again.
Why do we do that?
Why do we pretend our feelings aren't real, like caring is something to be ashamed of?
"Tomorrow?Um, nothing."I hear myself saying.
"Good, I'll come by in the morning.Be ready by 5:30am."
"Why so early?"
"I want to show you something while you’re here.”
There's something in his voice, something that sounds almost like hope, and it makes my pulse race.
“Okay then,” is all I can manage to say.
“Goodnight Nora.”
“Goodnight Nate.”
I close the door once more and stand in the middle of the hotel room, still holding my ridiculous shoes, trying to process what just happened.
Why do I let him in so easily, like no time has passed at all?
The answer is simple and plain as day, even though I've spent months trying to convince myself otherwise.
Because he's always been the exception to every rule I've ever made about protecting my heart.
CHAPTER6
FUCK IT
NATE
Luiza
Where did you disappear to last night?Everything okay?xx
I stareat the message for a long moment, trying to figure out how to explain what happened without sounding completely insane.How do you tell someone that your entire world shifted because you saw a ghost from your past dancing in a club in Barcelona?
Nate
The girl from the club, I knew her from back home, so I walked her home.
Luiza
Dios mío.It was her, wasn’t it!?
Tell me everything later.xx
I toss the phone aside and check the clock.4 AM, enough time to go for a run and try to clear my head before I go and see Nora.
I still can’t believe she’s here.
