After saying goodbye to Thomas, Lauren, Christopher and Lucie, I made them promise to bring her out to see me. I knew flying with a baby would be hell for them, but I also didn’t want it to be three months before I saw them again.
“You, okay?” Freddie asked from next to me.
Nina and James had decided to stay in London for a few more weeks and spend some time with Alex, Charlie, and the children. I’m sure they’d come to New York shortly and see us.
“I’m okay.” I smiled at him. “I’m excited to be returning to New York.”
“But?” he asked, prompting me to continue.
“But,” I said, “I’ll miss them.” I blew out a breath. “I’m also a little worried about Christopher. I feel like there is more going on with him. That he isn’t as A-okay as he is trying to make out to be.”
“I know.” He rubbed his thumb over my knuckles, trying to relax me. “He’ll be okay. We will make sure of it.”
We both looked back as he began walking up the runway, coming back to us from the bathroom.
“Thank you for inviting him to come out to stay with us for a few weeks.” I smiled at him before I pecked his lips. “I love that you had time to bond with Thomas and Christopher.”
“Me too,” he whispered. “Anyway,” I started, “I have big plans for us.”
“You do, do you?” I asked. “Do I get to know what these plans are?”
“Well…” He drew out the word, and I loved that I had surprised him. “Considering that I plan to wake up each and every morning with you…” He paused and turned that megawatt smile on me. “I figure we could talk about moving in together. Finding a place that’s not mine and not yours. A place that is just ours.”
I smiled at him, falling more in love with him by the minute.
“I love you, Freddie,” I whispered.
“I love you, Luke,” he whispered back. He stopped short of my lips. “To the last mile of the way.”
EPILOGUE
ISOBEL
I’d never been jealous of much in my life, but a computer system was really starting to grind my gears of late. Skype has been my main source of contact with my best friend lately, thanks to the giant ocean separating us. Chrissie and Everleigh had given me as much support and time to deal with the situation as morally possible, but they couldn’t help that I was struggling, knowing something was missing from my life.
The man—no, men—of the group: my Freddie and his Luke. The constants who kept me in line and weren’t scared to call me out on my shit. I missed them both so much that it felt like a part of me was missing.
With that said, I’d never been so proud of Freddie for chasing after his dreams and pinning down the guy who had stolen his heart. He had even faced his fears for Luke and had come out the other side stronger than ever. Who would have thought my bestie would have managed to get himself all loved up? Especially with him being the commitment-phobe of the group.
I couldn’t help but log in online at any given moment and pester Freddie, make up an excuse to talk to him, have any reason to spend time with him. I know it might have seemed pathetic, and I hoped I wasn’t overstepping my boundaries, but I just wanted to know what Luke and he had planned for the future. A life in New York or a life in London. I know it wasn’t my decision, but I couldn’t help but want to butt in. I’m sure Freddie would expect nothing less of me. It had been hell without him this long and I was scared to admit I was lonely, but I’d be happy, no matter his choice. I just needed to prepare myself for every eventuality as the call connected.
“Fred, is your sexy ass all alone today?” I sassed the moment I saw his gorgeous face smiling back at me as he leant back on the sofa and I saw the angle of the device change. “I mean, I could deal with just you.”
“Hey girl. You missed me,” Fred began as he hit his chest twice with his fist. “You get me right here, Isobel.”
“Shucks. You’ll make me cry.”
“But, nope. Christopher’s here and Luke, of course.” Freddie’s face lit up at the mention of his guy as I saw the towel cladded bottom half of Christopher as he walked behind Fred. Fuck. I’d really struggled to keep my thoughts to myself about this mysterious man around Freddie and Luke, but I couldn’t help but notice he was fine but had a sense of pain hidden away.
I lifted my head and moved it slightly, hoping to the gods Fred would shift to the side as I caught sight of his torso. I licked my lips and felt my cheeks start to heat up and my mouth go dry as Christopher slapped Fred on the shoulder.
“Hey, Isobel.” He bent down and waved at the screen, the water droplets becoming more visible as I reached for my throat and began to rub my hand back and forth in a rhythmic motion. “I’m just going to get sorted, maybe catch you next time.”
“Uh huh,” I uttered as Christopher shut the door and I heard Luke shout to Freddie from the kitchen.
“Is Isobel missing us again, baby?”
“I think so,” Fred muttered. He had his eyes trained on me as he started reading my face and tapping his chin in thought as the realization hit.