“Maybe you should come over,” Keira said with a resigned sigh.
“What?”
“I think he invited you out on the boat with us because you’re the person he wants to be around when he’s upset. I know how close you two are.”
“We’ve been friends our whole lives. Of course we’re close. But he really likes you, if that’s what’s worrying you.”
“Itisworrying me.” She stood to pace the room. “He’s gone to bed to avoid hanging out with me, which really doesn’t feel like a good sign.”
“I promise you he really likes you. Him being out of sorts today was nothing to do with you. Tomorrow he’ll feel terrible for ditching you tonight. He just can’t deal with people when he’s upset.”
“Except for you.”
Seren paused as though measuring her response. “You two have only just started dating. It makes no sense to compare our relationships.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?” Keira asked, surprised that Seren hadn’t bitten her head off by now.
“Because Noah likes you. And I can see why. I like you too.”
“Thanks.” She stopped in front of the fireplace. “I hate that he’s upset and I can’t do anything to make him feel better.”
“He’s not easy to be around when he gets like this.” Seren fell silent for a moment. “If I was there, I’d go up and sit with him. Don’t try and get him to talk. I’d usually get my phone out and play Candy Crush or something. Just be there for him without him feeling he has to look after you.”
“I can try. Thank you.”
“Can you do me a favour? Take my number and message me later to let me know how he is?”
Keira promised she would, then set off upstairs as soon as she got off the phone. At the top of the stairs, she hesitated then continued to the attic to put her pyjamas on before returning and knocking gently on his door.
“Hi,” she said, pushing the door open.
He was lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling but sat up quickly. “Are you okay? Do you need something?”
“I just wanted to check you’re all right.”
“I’m not feeling great. Sorry for being unsociable.”
“You don’t need to be social. I was about to compose an email to send to work tomorrow, and I need to message Mel. I thought I could do that up here if you want company … we don’t need to talk. Or I can go away again if you want to be alone?”
“Company would be nice,” he said. “If you don’t mind me being terrible company.”
“I don’t mind.” After closing the bedroom door, she sat on the other half of the bed, resting against the headboard with her legs stretched out in front of her.
“Thank you,” Noah whispered, lying down on his side as Keira silently scrolled through her phone.
Looking down at him as he closed his eyes, Keira noticed the tight muscles in his jaw and couldn’t help but imagine how much pain he’d gone through when his dad went missing. Desperately, she wanted to snuggle down with him and wrap him in a hug to take all his pain away.
She was grateful that Seren had let her know how to be there for him, even if it didn’t feel nearly enough.
Chapter Eighteen
Keira contemplated leaving Noah to sleep in peace once he’d nodded off but couldn’t quite resist watching him sleep, his features peaceful once he’d finally relaxed. Now that she knew it wasn’t her who’d put him in a bad mood, she felt sympathetic rather than annoyed. Eventually, she shuffled down under the covers, unable to drag herself into a cold, lonely bed.
At some point in the night she was sure she woke with Noah’s arms wrapped around her, but in the morning there was no sign of him. As she showered and got dressed she hoped she hadn’t been presumptuous by sleeping in his bed. Maybe he’d felt crowded when he woke up and had scarpered quick.
Downstairs, she made herself a coffee and sat at the breakfast bar, trying not to worry about the fact that Noah was nowhere to be seen. She’d just taken a sip of the bitter coffee when the sound of the front door startled her.
“I was hoping you’d sleep longer,” Noah said, setting two shopping bags on the counter. “I wanted to make you breakfast in bed.”