‘Have they saved your bookshop?’
‘What?’
‘You seem happy.’
And then he crashed. The smile faded and disappeared. His broad shoulders shrugged. Icarus floated by with glee, surviving another day.
‘No, it’s been a weird day. A good day.’
‘Well, I’m glad you’ve had a good day since I saw you.’ Noah’s voice dripped with sarcasm, before he paused and caught himself. ‘Sorry. I’m going stir crazy here.’
‘Why?’
‘I thought I’d have a drive around. Maybe brave it and explore Hay a little. All it did was make me realise why I want to go back home.’
‘What is home like for you?’
Noah moved aside as someone stepped out of the shop behind him. He reached out for Quinn, pulling him with him. They were pressed against a window, a Christmas display of shining, twinkling red and green lights, which lit them both up. Green looked good on Noah’s skin. He wished a stampede of customers would go by so he could stay like this with Noah for longer than a moment.
‘I live in a two-bedroom apartment,’ Noah said, and even though the customer had gone, they remained at the window. ‘I own it. Thank the lord for my book sales.’
If anyone else had mentioned owning in London, Quinn would have rolled his eyes. He might see them as bragging, trying to impress. But Noah admitted his owning of his home like it was shameful, like it was not to be shared. It was humble, acknowledging his privilege. Quinn couldn’t help but smile.
‘Where is it?’
‘Um…’
‘Come on, I promise I won’t stalk you. It’s not like I’m a stalker. I wouldn’t be asking if I was a stalker. Stalkers just kind of follow, don’t they?’Stop saying stalker.‘I’d hope you wouldn’t think I’m a stalker anyway. No, you don’t have to tell me. It’s okay.’
Noah was smirking now, and Quinn liked it, but he didn’t like it. That smirk was curious, humorous, and at his expense.
And it’s driving me crazy.
‘Chelsea.’
‘Chels—Chelsea!’
Those passing by looked at this outburst like Quinn was a nuisance. He cleared his throat, feeling somewhat silly, the red colouring of his cheeks caused not by the bitter cold weather but by his embarrassment. ‘Sorry. But that’s, like, desirable.’
‘Desirable?’
‘Houses. Price wise!’
Noah, still smirking, nodded. ‘Why I bought a place there.’
‘Is it nice?’
‘Yes, it’s nice. But now I’m going to have to peep out the window when I get back. Might not feel safe there. Seeing as I might have a stalker.’
‘Why are you so paranoid? You’re like your—’ Quinn stopped. Not his mother. Never bring the mother into things. ‘Characters in your books. Suspicious of the motives of others.’
‘You should always suspect others. I mean, you just said you’re not a stalker. Isn’t that what a stalker would say?’
‘You don’t have proof of that.’
Noah looked Quinn up and down, placing a hand against the window, leaning towards him.
‘Being at my talk at Hay. Locking me in your shop. Saying, “why do you keep running into me” and “we have to stop meeting like this” like you’re following me.’
