Page 49 of A Grecian Getaway

“To forgetting men who don’t see us for the awesome women we are!” Caroline held out her glass.

Awkward!

They all said cheers and clinked their glasses. “And to us Willow Street girls! Strong, beautiful, and independent women!” cheered Noelle.

“Hell yeah! And to Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome — may his dick shrivel up and fall off of his body!” Caroline held up her glass and looked at their shocked faces. “What...? Too soon?”

Noelle laughed, and they all raised their glasses and yelled, “Cheers!”

“Remind me never to get on your bad side, Caroline.” teased Niko before he took a drink. “Mr. Tall who?”

Noelle had only mentioned a little to Niko about the guy she met in Greece. But she hadn’t given him the whole story. She had zero desire to talk about something like that with her brother. She didn't know what to say.

“Oh, you know Niko. Just us girls complaining about men who are idiots. The list is long. No big deal!” Caroline raised her glass and took another drink.

Thank you, Caroline!The night turned out to be a lot of fun, and Noelle was glad she went out with them to celebrate.

The following morning, Noelle said her goodbyes to her parents. Claire took her to the airport and Caroline met them.

“We are going to miss you so much!” Claire hugged Noelle, and Caroline wrapped her arms around both girls. “But you will come visit, right?” Noelle said, muffled from the hugs. “It’s Florida after all.”

“Of course we will! And not because of Florida, dork. We want to see you!” Claire cried.

“Noelle, how are you feeling, really?” Caroline asked.

Noelle was a little pale and had circles under her eyes.I feel like poop. My heart is broken.“I mean, I’m still a little sad, of course. But I’ll be fine. I’m just tired. But, I’m excited about my new adventure. I think a change will be the best thing for me. Don’t worry about me!”

“You’re right! You’ll be fine. Great, actually!” Caroline said.

“I’d hoped things would have turned out differently for you, but this change will be awesome, I’m sure!” Claire said. She sounded like she was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince Noelle.

They hugged again, and Noelle walked towards the check in area. It was time to get on another plane, this time to a new life, hopefully one that didn’t include the aching heart she was carrying.

Chapter 33

SCARY MOVIES AND SURPRISE KISSES ~Noelle~ A Couple Months Later

Noelle loved waking up in sunny Florida, but she wasn’t sure she would ever feel like she was truly home without Demetri by her side. After her arrival, and with help from her firm, Noelle got set up in a nice little two bedroom, two bathroom apartment near work. She sat up on her bed and looked around her room. It was a cute apartment, and she had decorated it nicely. But even after being here a couple months, it was still missing one important person.

She’d settled in and started her new life. Noelle tried her best to forget Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. She and the girls had referred to Demetri strictly by those words to help with the pain in Noelle’s heart whenever they referred to him. Her headaches were still lingering, but she chalked that up to her poor eating habits. Her appetite hadn’t returned since Greece.

Things were going pretty well. She liked her job and the warmer weather. She loved being near the ocean and being able to walk on the beach to look for shells whenever she wanted. Noelle missed her girls, but they were visiting soon.

Noelle’s phone dinged to alert her to a text.

Caroline: I’m so excited! I got a new candle today.

Claire: Wow, a candle! How exciting! *rolling eyes emoji

Noelle laughed.

Caroline: *middle finger emoji. It isn’t just any candle, brat face. It’s a crackling wick candle. I can show you, Claire Bear, when you get home and you will be amazed. I’m going to send you a video, Noelle, so you can appreciate the awesomeness.

Noelle: LOL

Claire: *waiting gif

Caroline: *sends short video of candle burning and crackling*

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