Page 108 of Play On

And right now, it looks like I need to buy a ticket to Australia.

* * *

The night couldn’t have gone any better.

Nicholas and Noah hit it off, talking and joking the entire time. Noah engaged Amelia in conversation, too, and I was so proud of him for moving out of his comfort zone. We stayed long after our meals were finished, and it was enjoyable, as Noah went undetected by other pubgoers the entire time we were there. It was a fun evening, full of a lot of laughs, and I was so happy to see my twin and Noah get on exactly as I hoped they would.

Now we’re driving back towards the cottage, and all I want is to sit outside with Noah, watching the sea roll against the shore.

“What are you thinking?” he asks, his free hand skimming over my thigh as he drives.

“How much fun I had tonight,” I say happily. “And that I want to sit outside with you and watch the sea when we get back to your cottage.”

“Sounds good,” Noah says, smiling softly. “What do you want to do tomorrow?”

“The weather is supposed to be lovely. It might be a good day to go to the beach. We could go back to that same one we went to a few weeks ago, because it’s more private.”

“I’d be game for that,” Noah says. “We can eat at that same fish and chips place for lunch. That was good.”

“Oh, and I have to get an ice cream with a Flake,” I say.

“Are you going to wear that same bikini you wore last time?” Noah asks, his fingers trailing up and down my bare skin, causing me to shiver.

“I am.”

“Good. Because you looked so hot in that.”

I feel a smile of triumph pass over my lips. “Thank you.”

“You’ll need me to apply sun cream like I did last time.”

“I love that you are so incredibly helpful.”

He chuckles at that. “I’ll use any excuse to touch you, Butterfly.”

HELLO.

We reach the cottage and exit the car, with Noah coming around to meet me. He takes my hand in his and we walk down the path to the front door. Mila is barking on the other side, and as soon as Noah opens the door, we’re greeted by a very happy and excited dog.

“Let me take her out,” he says.

I nod and step inside the house. Noah grabs a lead and affixes it to Mila’s collar, then he walks out the front door with her. In the meantime, I fish my phone out of my bag and head downstairs. I open the sliding glass door to the terrace, then plop down in the oversized chair and unlock my phone so I can readmy messages. I grin when I see the first one is from Aimee. She’s replied to my Connectivity Story Share, where I posted a picture of me and Noah at the pub tonight.

I read her message:

LOOKING SO CUTE WITH MR SAUCY SHORTS!!!

She’s also attached a bunch of heart-eyed emojis to her caption.

I text her back:

He’s not only Saucy Shorts, but he’s so … everything. That’s the best way I can explain it. Noah is smart, driven, funny, thoughtful, considerate, encouraging … just everything.

Aimee is typing …

Vi, I never heard you talk about any guy like this at uni. Now, I don’t know how you’ve felt about any guys you’ve been with since we’ve lost touch, but my gut says Noah is different. Are you falling in love with him? SAY YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

I grin and message her back:

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