Page 113 of Play On

I feel myself smiling in response to his praise and support. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me for stating something obvious,” he responds. “I’ll tell Mum and Dad the same thing when they panic about these plans when you drop them.”

I groan. “That’s going to be the worst bit. Not the jet lag in Australia and turning around and immediately coming home. It will be Mum and Dad treating me like a child incapable of going to Melbourne.”

Nicholas chuckles and runs his finger around the rim of his coffee mug. “You’re right. That will be the worst part.”

His phone buzzes on the table. Nicholas flips it over and the sappy smile that spreads over his face tells me it’s Amelia.

“Boy, I can tell you’re in love not merely by the fact that you bought Amelia peacocks, but by the look on your face right now. I know she just texted you by your expression alone. If I were writing this up forDishing Weekly, I’d say you areloved up.”

I swear my twin begins to flush. His hand moves to the nape of his neck, and he begins to rub it. “Vi, I’m not only in love, but I’ve told Amelia I am. Even though most people would say it hasn’t been long enough to say that.”

I wonder about this. Why do we have preconceived notions on when we can officially be in love? Like if we fall in love sooner than what some people expect, it’s not as genuine or meaningful as if you had waited for months to declare it?

“I think if you know, you know. I know I’m falling in love with Noah. Can I look at him and say I love him? Not yet. But there will be a moment soon when I know it, and I won’t be apologetic if it’s not months and months after meeting him. I’ll know what’s right for me. And you should feel the same.”

Nicholas stares at me, a look of astonishment entering his eyes. “Why does it feel like you’ve become a new person since you met Noah?”

I think upon this for a moment.

“This is going to sound weird, but Noah brings out pieces of me I didn’t know I had,” I confess. “He sees me in ways nobody else can. The thing is, Nicholas, I like this person I’m becoming.”

“You know what? I like her, too,” he says, smiling at me. Then he stands up and retrieves his cup of coffee. “I’ll let you finish up. I’m going to try and go to bed early, because Amelia and I are going to ride before work tomorrow.”

I smile. Both Nicholas and Amelia are avid riders, and they take turns riding between Wintersmith Hall and Swallowhedge so they each get time atop their own horses.

Noah confessed to me he’s never ridden, and I hope to get him in the saddle the next time he’s in Dorset. I love riding, and I want to be the one to give him his first experience on horseback.

“No word on Australia to anyone,” I say to Nicholas. Then I think about this. “I take it back. You can tell Amelia. I trust her.”

He nods. “She’ll be excited for you.”

I smile. “I know she will. I already feel as if we are going to be very close friends.”

“Funny, I have the same feeling about Darby,” Nicholas says, winking at me. Then he exits the library.

I love my brother so much. I know he’s going to have my back if my parents lose their minds over my trip to Australia. I also love how he embraced Noah and made him feel welcome. I know that was a big part of the reason Noah was able to open up so quickly to him and Amelia on Friday night. They both made a point to make him feel comfortable.

I also have a feeling Noah stepped outside of his comfort zone—yet again—because of his feelings for me.

Buzz!

I glance down at my phone. Then my heart skips a beat when I see a message from Saucy Shorts:

I miss you, Butterfly.

If one could melt from a text, I’d be liquid right now. I pick up my phone and text him back:

I miss you, too.

Saucy Shorts is typing …

When can I see you again?

Ahhh!

I text him back:

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