Page 112 of Play On

His brows furrow into a V. “Darby invited you to go to Australia? So soon?”

“No, he didn’t invite me.”

Now Nicholas looks concerned. “You’re going all the way to Australia to surprise him?”

“Yes,” I say, nodding.

He groans. “Violet.”

“Don’t start to big brother me, Nicholas. I know what I’m doing.”

“You should ask Darby first,” Nicholas warns. “He might not want a surprise when he’s starting off a tour.”

I promised Noah I wouldn’t reveal anything about his past to another soul. It would make this trip make more sense to Nicholas, but despite that fact, I will keep my word to him.

“Noah will appreciate my support,” I say firmly. “I know he will.”

“But surely he wouldn’t expect you to go all the way to Australia,” Nicholas counters. “How much money is this going to cost you, Vi?”

I sit straighter in my chair, feeling confident in my answer. “Several thousand pounds.”

He shakes his head. “I think there are better ways you can support him rather than flying all the way to Australia to surprise him. You’re still getting to know him, Violet.”

I know what Nicholas is implying. It’s far too soon to be embarking on a costly adventure—halfway around the world, nonetheless—for a man I’ve had fewer than a handful of dates with.

“Nicholas, if I were looking at my situation from the outside in like you are, I would think the exact same thing,” I confess. “But you don’t know how close Noah and I have become during the past week. We’ve spent all day and all night together. We talk. Really talk. About things we’ve never shared with another soul. He took care of me when I was sick. He knows how I take my tea, Nicholas. Noah pays attention. You yourself said that he’s all in.”

He sighs. “I did say that.”

“I have a feeling if this were something to support Amelia, you’d do it. Even though you haven’t dated her that long, either. Your prior history doesn’t count. You guys were teenagers then. I’m talking about as an adult.”

Nicholas leans back in his chair and groans. “You’re right.”

“Thank you,” I say, smiling triumphantly at him.

“Mum and Dad aren’t going to like this,” he points out.

“I know. And I don’t care. I have the financial means to do it. I’ll square away my schedule at the gift shop before I begin this adventure, therefore showing them I’m responsible, and I will be working all the way up until I leave. And I’ll be working my schedule when I come back. By that point, I’ll be ready to present my art plans to Dad.”

“Which I will fully back you on,” Nicholas reaffirms. He tilts his head and studies me for a moment. “You know, Vi? You’restarting to come into your own. A few weeks ago, you never would have entertained the idea of travelling by yourself, let alone all the way to the other side of the world. And you’re coming up with ideas for things that will help launch your art career. I’m proud of you.”

“I would like to say it’s all me, getting a sudden burst of confidence, but that wouldn’t be fair to Noah,” I say softly. “He’s made me see things in myself that even I couldn’t see.”

Nicholas smiles fondly at me. “You should hear what he says about you when you’re not around.”

I look expectantly at him. He laughs. “You’re my twin, but I’m still not telling you what Darby said.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re just baiting me.”

“No. I’m reaffirming for you that Noah is all in on you without revealing all the details.”

“Thanks. Kinda,” I tease.

Nicholas takes a sip of his coffee. “I’ve been to Melbourne. Let me know if you need any help planning your trip.”

I stare at him. “You don’t have any concerns about me travelling by myself?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. You’ll be smart.”

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