Page 53 of Play On

“Hmm. Is that a response cry of ‘FACTS’ or ‘Let me decorate!’?” I tease.

We both laugh.

“I was sourcing some new birds for the aviary, as well as the costs for some expansion. The birds are becoming an interest point here, and Nicholas wanted some ideas and numbers. That’s obviously a project I’m passionate about, and I have some preliminary ideas I want to share to make sure I’m on the right path.”

“Ooh, I love that idea,” I say. Then I sigh. “You know if Nicholas likes the idea, you’ll be the one to have to present it to my dad.”

Luke winces. “I know. I hate that.”

“Me too.”

“But we know the truth, and that’s something, at least.”

“HA-KAW!”

We both laugh and begin to walk back towards the back entrance. I open the door, and Luke holds it for me, allowing meto step inside first. “Nicholas is waiting for me in the study,” he says. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye,” I say, heading along the back corridor, which is the private family portion of the estate. I make my way to the stairs and head towards my room. The floor is quiet, and I’m relieved. I just want to lie down and take a nap, not rehash my trip to London with my parents. Hopefully, with some rest, I’ll feel well enough to sit down to dinner.

I step inside my room and shut the door behind me, then retrieve my phone from my bag and flop down on my bed, quickly texting Noah:

Hey, Saucy Shorts! The patient has successfully made it back to Dorset. I’m about to indulge in a long nap before dinner.

I put my phone aside and giggle to myself. I’ve never teased Noah about the Saucy Shorts Connectivity page I found which is dedicated to how he looks in his football kit. I can’t wait to see how Noah responds to that comment.

But my main point of texting was to let him know I made it home safely after a two hour drive from London. Noah didn’t even want me driving back to Dorset today. He thought I should rest, but I didn’t want to shirk my responsibilities here, especially after I had to juggle them last week so I could help Bella with her event at the primary school.

I won’t play into that butterfly narrative anymore,I think firmly as I take off my shoes.I’m going to find myself and my path.

And that starts right now by showing everyone I’m responsible about my job here.

Buzz!

I reach for my phone and can’t stop smiling when I see Noah’s name on my screen. I tap open his message and read:

Oh God, you found that?

I can practically see him blushing. I reply:

I SO DID.

Noah Darby is typing …

UGH, yes there’s that page. And others. DO NOT look for me on TikTok, and if you already have, I ask that you forget what you have seen IMMEDIATELY.

I burst out laughing and type back:

Ooh, I now have something to do after dinner tonight! What should I search under? #SaucyShorts?

Hmm. I decide Noah’s name is no longer appropriate in my phone and change it. Then I giggle as I stare down at his new name in my contacts:

Saucy Shorts.

Saucy Shorts is typing …

I laugh as soon as I see that on my screen. I can’t wait to show this to him when he gets here. Finally, Saucy Shorts replies:

I will NOT help you search for my videos on TikTok.

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