Page 136 of Valentine Nook
“Now what’s next after the movie? What’s lined up for next year?”
“I’m trying something new. I’m heading to a stage in?—”
I’m losing the will to live. I have no idea why Miles wanted me to watch these unless it was to cause me more pain for whatever slight I’ve done to him. Then I hear two words that have me rewinding.
“I’m heading to a stage in the West End, but that’s all I can say right now.”
Rewind.
“In the West End.”
I glance up at Miles. “This has to be a mistake.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think it is. There’s another one.”
Miles takes his phone back and brings up another video. Again, Holiday’s talking to the host about her time in England and how she’s not done yet. That she’ll be returning at the soonest possible moment, and she’s going to be starring in the West End next year.
“She knows the West End is London, right?”
Miles frowns. “I’m going to take a wild guess and say yes.”
“I don’t understand.” Why would I understand? It makes no sense whatsoever.
“I think she’s found a way to come back to you, buddy.” He leans over and punches my arm. “Congratulations.”
“So what? I haven’t heard from her? Does Clementine know? Am I supposed to wait until I have confirmation?”
“Fuck no. You go and get her,” he says like he has experience chasing girls who reject him.
Miles has zero experience with this.
I’m reeling from the onslaught of information, so my wits aren’t as quick as they usually are. Therefore, when Agatha Chase marches straight up to our table, I have no way of escaping.
“Hello, Orlando.”
I groan because she’s the last person I want to see right now. I’m also mildly irked that not only does she never address me properly, she calls meOrlando. A name no one calls me except my mother, and that’s when she’s annoyed.
“Oh Agatha, please do fuck off. I’m not in the mood. You were right, okay? Yes, I’m alone. Yes, I will be alone forever. Happy?”
Agatha scoffs hard. “And I thought Miles was the most dramatic Burlington.”
“Hey,” Miles protests. “I’m right here.”
Agatha’s eyes slice down to Miles as though she’s only just noticed him.
“Hmm. Yes, so you are.” She tuts and focuses back on me. “Orlando, if you bothered to let me speak, even for a minute instead of rushing away from me every chance you get, then I’d be able to finish what I was telling you.”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
“Well, you’re going to.” Her words snap out so forcefully that I’m momentarily stunned. “If you marry out of duty, you will be alone forever. If you marry out of love, it will survive the test of time and distance.”
“What?”
“You never let me finish, and all you took from what I said was being alone forever. But that’s not what’s written out for you. You have several paths ahead.”
Next to me, Miles sneers loudly. “Where’s it written?”
“In the stars.”
