“Gray. I didn’t think you’d be here. Look, man, I—”
“No, you look.” Gray steps forward. “I thought you were just using her for a good time. I didn’t know you guys were actually in love.”
Noel stares into my eyes. “I’ve always loved her, Gray. You know that. It’s just these past weeks, I’ve falleninlove with her as well.”
“I’m sorry I overreacted. Get in here, out of the storm.” Gray closes the door behind Noel and pats him on the back.
Noel extends his hand, but Gray brings him in for a bro hug. “You’ve always been like a brother to me. It will be good to actually call you one for real.”
“Same, man.” Noel pats Gray on the back, the rain dripping off him onto the wooden floor.
“I’ll leave you to it. I’m heading back to bed before Cam wakes and wonders where I’ve gone.” He jogs up the stairs, leaving us alone. The rumble outside, along with the forked flashes, doesn’t seem to bother me half as much now Noel’s here. Just like before, he’s able to take my mind off it.
“Don’t suppose you have any spare clothes?” His smile reaches his eyes as water drips from his hair.
“You won’t be needing clothes.” I bite my lip as heat creeps up my neck.
“Yes, he will. I’ll get you some,” Gray shouts from the top of the stairs, sounding very much like Dad.
A giggle bursts from my lips and I take Noel’s hand and lead him up the stairs. I may have teased him all season, but he’s been tormenting me since I was a teenager. Finally, all my dreams are becoming a reality. I guess Christmas wishes do come true in July.
NOEL
A month later
“You all packed?” Gray asks as he walks up the porch steps to his parents’ house.
A smile stretches across Glory’s face. “Yes, all ready.”
“We’ll miss you in the tea shop.” He turns to me. “I’ll even miss your pain in the ass. It’s been like old times having you here.”
“We’ll be back for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s only California. And you and Cam can visit us anytime you like.”
Gray rubs a hand through his dark hair. “That’s not likely to happen between running the shop and now a baby on the way, but thanks, man.”
Cam walks up the steps. At four months pregnant, she still isn’t showing, but she has got her energy back this last week. She gives Glory a hug. “Have a great time. If you need to chat or anything, call me.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be calling for regular updates on my niece or nephew.”
Her smile pushes her cheeks up. “Gray thinks it’s a girl, but I think it’s a boy.”
“Only a woman can cause the amount of confusion that little one did.” Gray chuckles to himself.
Glory punches his chest. “It was you that caused all the confusion, you idiot. You only had to ask me if I had a bun in the oven.”
“I was waiting for you to tell me in your own time.” Gray slips an arm around Cam’s waist and kisses the side of her temple. “Tell her she’s gonna make an amazing mother. She thinks she’s gonna suck.”
Cam shuffles on her feet. “I’ve just never been maternal. I just don’t know what to do with infants.”
“Well, you’re living with one,” I snort and pat Gray’s shoulder. Before he can react, our cab pulls up alongside the curb.
Glory’s parents step out of the house to see us off. Her mom dabs the tears away from her eyes as she hugs Glory for the hundredth time this morning. My mom was the same, the first time I left, though my folks are used to me living away now.
“Don’t worry, Mrs Brewdy. I’ll take good care of her.” My lip lifts in the corner. I can’t wait to move Glory into my LA apartment and have her all to myself.
I know this has been one hell of a whirlwind and we’ve only officially been a couple since the storm last month. Our parents are still getting their heads around it since returning from their cruise.
But now the movie is wrapped up, it makes sense that she would move in with me. There’s no point in her paying rent somewhere in LA, when she’s going to be sleeping in my bed every night.
