Love At First Text ✔️

Her

It had been two days since Eden found the list, and her and Sebastian had only spoken briefly over message, and she missed him terribly.

She knew she was being stubborn – could see now, since the hurt had subsided, that he'd only done it with the best intentions in mind, but she wasn't prepared to invalidate her feelings. Standing in his kitchen, it had felt as though everything until then had just been out of sympathy, and she wasn't sure where she was supposed to distinguish where it transformed from pity to something else.

Yet, she didn't want to keep Sebastian hanging for much longer. He didn't deserve that. Especially since this was the first time that he had been involved in something akin to a relationship, and at the first argument, she bailed. It was hardly the foundation of something solid and was bound to set them up for further failure.

All of this she had expressed to Nat, Zoya, and her brother – that was a separate situation she was going to have to get used to.

The four of them were at Zoya's, Nat having officially moved in, and Noah looking far too comfortable for this to be a fleeting visit. Her brother was sat beside her, sharing a pizza, and Nat's legs were slung over Zoya, all of them facing the TV. Except, Eden wasn't paying much attention to whatever movie was playing. She was too far in her own head.

"You're behaving like a Zombie." Noah tutted, casting a strange glance at her. She chewed the food in her mouth with lacklustre as she regarded him. "You do realise you're punishing yourself by staying away from him?"

"Come on, Noah," Zoya sighed, letting her head fall back so she could look at him. "Even I know that Eden's speciality is punishing herself by denying herself what she really wants."

Eden clenched her jaw. "It's been less than two days. Get off my back."

"I really hope it's no more than two days. I'm sick of him messaging me." Nat grumbled, lifting up her phone in gesture. "I'm one conversation away from blocking his number."

"You do that, he'll only end up messaging me." Zoya retorted with a snort.

Eden tried to disguise her interest but did so poorly. It explained why Noah chuckled when she asked, "What's he messaging you about?"

"He's being so soppy Eden. 'She asked for time, but do you think she'll mind if I send her flowers'. 'I want to send her a picture of this cat I saw, but I'm scared she'll think I'm crowding her'. It's exhausting to deal with." Eden couldn't help the smile pulling at her lips. They needed to talk, that was all. Get everything out in the air and continue on with no secrets between one another.

Noah scrutinised the expression on her face. "You're entirely in love with him, aren't you?" She wasn't sure she'd ever seen him so shocked.

"Oh, please!" Zoya exclaimed, lifting her arms in exasperation. "She's besotted. You're well on your way to a brother-in-law."

Eden spluttered. "Slow down! Sebastian has only just realised that he has feelings for me. I think suggesting I'm eager to marry him would send him sprinting for the hills." Nat nodded in agreement, though turned her attention back to the TV. "But yes. I love him."

"Huh." Was all Noah said, chewing his pizza thoughtfully. "So why are you still sat here, and not sat with him?"

"Actually, because I was killing time before I go to see mum and dad." Zoya muttered something that sounded a lot like 'charming' as Eden checked the time on her phone. "And I'm already running late."

When she stood to ready herself to leave, she paused, glancing wistfully at Noah. "Would you – would you like to come?" A pin drop silence fell about the room. Even the movie didn't seem to be making any noise. Noah looked up at Eden with a firm blank stare, and she nearly kicked herself for the suggestion. "You don't have to, I just –"