Page 81 of Unless It's You
After I pour us more coffee and Gemma tells me every detail of her trip to Greece, she leaves me alone in the flat, where I collapse back on the couch.
I’m gonna tell him that I love him.
And if doesn’t work... fine. But Gemma’s right. I have to try.
I tap out a text to him.Anothertext to him.
Me
Can I come with you to Newcastle on Wednesday like we planned? To help with your mom’s flat?
Immediately, three dancing dots. Finally, he’s responding! I keep my eyes fixed on the text chain.
Ethan
No. BestI do it alone
Me
I really want to help you
I really wantyou, is what I want to say, but I can’t say that with a text. Gemma forbade it.
Ethan
You already have. It’s enough. More than enough. Thank you
It’s not enough. He deserves more than he’s gotten out of life. The people around him have disappointed him again and again. But someone needs to be there for him.
Me
Can you still do Old Man of Storr with me on Friday? After the shoot is done Thursday?
Ethan
Stella . . . that’s just not a good idea
After the shoot on Thursday, after next weekend when the bucket list’s twenty-eight days will officially be over, he has an excuse to never speak to me again. I’ve gotta change his mind. I’ve gotta find a way to convince him to give me a chance. Giveusa chance.
Me
I need your help with this last bucket list item. A picture on top of the mountain. Please?
No response for what feels like forever, then a one-word answer that makes my heart soar.
Ethan
Fine
My insides swirl and I lay back on the couch, eyes closed,thankful I have the chance to try. I hope he’ll listen to me on top of that mountain.
But I’m also gonna show up for him at his mom’s flat in Newcastle. There’s no way I’m letting him go through that by himself, no matter what he says.
32
ETHAN
Wednesday, 31 July
