Page 184 of Meet Me at the Metro

My friends help me gather all my bags and suitcases, graciously carrying them down the stairs of the flat and packing them into the back of the taxi. I’m a ball of emotions as we all say our goodbyes, exchanging warm hugs along the sun-beaten pavement of the city street.

“Call us when you get there, okay?” Harvey requests, granting the top of my forehead with an endearing kiss. “If not, you’ll have us worried sick.”

“I will. I promise.”

“Give her to me,” Evie commands, briskly yanking me toward her. I breathe in her bold, fruity scent as her arms sling around me. She squeezes a grunt out of me. “I hate you for this... leaving me behind in this testosterone-ridden cesspool.”

“You are so dramatic,” I giggle, pinching her side. She squawks and tries wriggling away from me, but I pull her closer, deepening our hug before she can escape. “Love you.”

“Love you back.”

I draw my mouth to her ear, speaking only loud enough for her to hear. “Take it easy on Connor, will you?”

Evie nods obediently as she pulls out of my embrace but mouths a noticeable“Never”the second I begin climbing into the black leather backseat of the taxi.

Connor closes the door and bids me a soft wave goodbye. They all stay planted along the pavement, watching me as the taxi begins to pull away. I gaze up toward the secondary-story window of my old flat, conflicted with a wide range of bitter-sweet emotions.

I’ll miss it so much.

I lose myself in the city’s sights as we drive, watching through the car window as everything slowly stirs to life. London looks so beautiful during May, graced with bright, colorful blooms along cityside hedges and the warmth of the golden sun as it rises over the skyline. I’d grown to love this place more than I had ever anticipated, and my appreciation for it was enough to keep me here for as long as it’d have me.

I’m a bundle of nerves when we finally pull up to our destination. The driver helps me unload my suitcases and bags and transfer them inside the awaiting building lobby. As I step inside, I stride straight for the flat door, shivering excitedly as I bring my knuckles up to meet its black exterior.

I only manage one knock against it before it swings open—Theo’s standing tall in the doorway, a dopey smile emerging as his eyes take me in.

“You’re home,” he breathes, swaddling me with his earthly scent as he draws me into his arms.

I nuzzle into the warmth of his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart as we hold each other for a long moment. I’d never take moments like this for granted again—I’d enjoyeverysecond the two of us were given... soak them in for as long as I was allowed.

“I’m home,”I breathe.

“Bloody hell, Nora. Where are you taking me?”

“So many questions, birthday boy,” I playfully scold, guiding him forward. “Now, there’s a step-off here, so be careful.”

He stumbles right after I issue the warning.

“I said be careful, Theo!”

“Well, maybe if I could see where the hell I was going,” he huffs, a blindfold still knotted tightly along the back of his head. “Are we there yet? This thing’s itchy as fuck.”

“Almost,” I giggle. “So impatient.”

I carefully steer Theo through the music room doors, pushing him forward to the grand piano situated at the front of the space.

“Give me one second,” I request, hastily pulling a lighter from his pocket. I reach up to the closed lid of the instrument, quickly lighting the candles of the cake set atop it. As the orange and yellow flames set and start to glow brighter, I begin working on untying his blindfold. “Look, I know you said you don’t like birthday surprises much, but I couldn’t help myself and—”

“You’re a stubborn thing, and do whatever you want,” he finishes for me.

“Exactly.”

I don’t waste any more time on words as I draw the folded fabric from Theo’s eyes. They widen, lighting up as he takes everything in—the colorful bundles of balloons tied along the legs of the piano and the overly sprinkled cake set on top.

“Happy Birthday, Teddy.”

He shakes his head as though he’s in awe of it all. “You shouldn’t have done all of this.”

I fetch the cake and hurry it over to him before the candles are extinguished. “Make a wish.”

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