Four strangers from different walks of life meet on a cruise and spend an unforgettable week together. All of them on their own self-discovering journeys, and onboard for different reasons.
Texan heiress and ballet prodigy, Brooklyn Brankovich, lon...
It was hard leaving Daniel but he had a life to get back to, so do I, I suppose. My parents said they'd be visiting any time now, I know that means whenever Dad isn't busy. It seems like he's never there for me, but I know his heart, and I don't even need them visiting here with everything going on. I'm also just glad I didn't run into Will during my trip, he didn't even text me which is odd, but a relief.
I first texted Cassie to let her know I was home and we discussed Em's birthday party details briefly. I insisted on paying for any and everything but Cassie wouldn't let me. She may be letting loose now and coming out of that hard shell, but she's still very proud and humble. I wanted to hang out with her and Em, but I was tired from the plane and just planned on resting.
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After dumping the clothes from my bags in the washer machine and starting it, I almost walked away but a knock at the door stopped me in my tracks. I lost my good posture and frowned, not happy about having any company when all I wanted to do was nap.
I didn't bother looking through the peephole because there's only a few people it could've been. Opening the door, my face fell even straighter at the sight of him.
"Noah," I breathed out in surprise to see him standing there. It's not like I forgot what he looked like that fast, but he looked different. Like, for the first time, he wasn't about to crack a joke, make a move, or ask for something to eat.
Neither of us moved a muscle or said a single thing. I was holding my breath even. I'm sure, like me, he was too in his head. There was a lot to say and nothing at all, at the same time.
He stared in my doe-eyed dark green, almost hazel-brown, eyes while I looked him over. His right eye still bruised but only lightly, less purple than before. I couldn't tell if he was still limping, or not, but I wouldn't doubt it.
It's pathetic that as hurt as he was - inside and out - and as mad at him as I tried to be, I wanted him to take me. I loved the way his hair waved, his shuttered eyes under those thick constantly furrowed eyebrows, his strong arms, and the veined hands that I missed exploring every inch of my body.
At the same time he said, "I'm sorry," I opened my mouth and admitted, "I missed you." Glad that's out of the way. The ice was broken and I relaxed only a little.
My fingertips pushed the door open further so he could walk in. After he was further inside, I closed the door and breathed in then out.
I put the laundry detergent away and then made my presence known in the living room where I let Noah sit on the couch while I stood there with folded arms in anticipation of the rest of his apology.
It seemed like an eternity before we talked again, but Noah spoke up.
"I shouldn't have left you hanging like that," he started and went on after I nodded, "I was fucked up but I had to be strong for Gael; normally he's strong for me, but he's taking this harder. Him and AJ weren't talking, then they made up, and Gael probably thinks this is his - our - fault because we should've told AJ to go home-" I stopped him there.
