“Maybe Tag can take me when he gets back.”
“How long are you here for?” The tinny voice echoesover the speakers as we pull into the station. Peeking at the sign, I stand. “This is our stop.”
She follows me out in the crush of people. Even with the holidays upon us, it’s still crowded.
“Until the twenty-ninth. I want to be home for New Year’s with the family.”
“It’s too bad they couldn’t join you.”
“I’m hoping this will be the first of many trips.” Natalie waves me off. “Between you and me, how is Tag doing here? With the team and all?”
“He’s fine.”
Natalie links her arm with mine as I lead us toward the stately palace. Its presence looms large in the city.
“That’s what he said. I want the real answer.”
Peering one eye up at her, I take her in. It’s easy to see that the two of them are related. They have the same easygoing personality that I never had.
“The team is doing well, and from what I can tell, he likes London.”
Natalie stops at the crosswalk as cars zip by us. “He likesyou.”
“I…”
I turn into a bumbling idiot. I shouldn’t. I know Tag likes me. It’s a feeling that is reciprocated.
Being with Tag is unlike anyone I’ve ever been with. He makes me feel big, scary feelings. Ones that I’m not quite used to having. It’s a battle to not let them overwhelm me, but to let myself feel them when I’m with him.
Because Tag makes me feel safe, like I can explore everything with him.
“I honestly didn’t know if he’d ever find someone to make him happy again after his divorce.”
“Really?” The light changes and the white sign to cross blinks. I lead her across the busy road, packed with peopletaking in the historical sites. “Tag told me he got divorced, but only that his wife left him because he stopped playing.”
“She was a piece of work. None of us liked her, but Tag loved her, so we tolerated her. She never treated him like he should have been. To be honest, I thought Tag was running away from his problems by coming here.”
“If it makes you feel better, I don’t think that’s true.”
“I would have to agree, now that I’ve seen the two of you together.”
A comfortable silence falls between the two of us as Natalie snaps photo after photo of the iconic structure in front of us. Tourists are trying to get the King’s guards to crack, to no avail.
“Here. Let’s take one and send it to Tag.”
Natalie opens her camera and flips it around onto us. Her smile is bright as I lean in, but she tugs me the rest of the way so our cheeks are touching.
She holds the phone up so we can see it, and it’s cute. My cheeks are red from the cold. With the walk from the Tube station, it’s more time than I like to spend outdoors this time of year. “That’s a good one.”
“I like it.” She taps away on her phone before the whoosh sound echoes.
“Why don’t we grab a spot of tea?” I ask her. “Are you hungry at all? I know the best spot around the corner.”
Her eyes light up. “That sounds delightful. Lead the way.”
The cold London day has started to seep into my bones. Following the sidewalk around the palace, the entrance to the café is just ahead of us. People bustle by as I open the door for Natalie. A wall of warmth greets us.
It’s not crowded, which is why it’s one of my favorite spots in London. It might not be the closest to where I live, but it’s cosy. Old floral wallpaper is peeling at the corners.A few wood-top tables are spread out, with mismatched throw pillows that sit on the bench. Teapots hang from a rack in the front of the shop.
