“That’s how it feels.” She stepped around him and crossed the room.
“Stay and talk to me,” he said desperately.
“I can’t.” Her emotions were all over the place and she needed to get out of there.
“Keira,” he called, following her to the door. “Let’s talk properly. We can figure out a way to make things work.”
“I don’t see how when you’re moving away next weekend.” She raised and dropped her shoulders in a pathetic attempt at nonchalance. “I don’t want a long-distance relationship, so I don’t see what difference talking is going to make.”
“Don’t be like that.” As she stepped out of the flat, he called her name again, but she stalked out of the building and didn’t look back.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Noises from the kitchen alerted Keira to Mel’s presence when she arrived back at the flat. She called hello but went straight to her room.
“What’s wrong?” Mel asked, appearing in the doorway a couple of minutes later.
“I think I just broke up with Noah.”
“Crap.” She sat down beside Keira on the bed. “Why?”
“I don’t want a long-distance relationship. I really thought he might decide to stay, but clearly I was deluded. We ended up shouting at each other and I stormed out.”
“It’s a stressful situation. Once you’ve both calmed down you’ll figure things out.” Mel rubbed the space between Keira’s shoulder blades. “Will you really not try a long-distance relationship? It might be okay.”
“I don’t know. I don’twant to, but I also can’t imagine him leaving next week and that being the end for us. Even if I say I want to end things, I know I’ll miss him so much that I’ll end up calling him after a few days. I hate the whole situation.”
“You need to talk to him about it properly without shouting at each other.”
Keira nodded. “I really want him to say he’ll stay. It feels as though he just doesn’t care enough.”
“It can’t be an easy decision for him. Anyone who sees you together can tell how much he thinks of you. I really don’t think the issue is him not caring enough.”
“I’m such a mess.” Keira rubbed her hands over her face. “I should call him and apologise. I was a right cow.”
“He’ll forgive you. I’ll make you a cuppa.”
“Thanks.” Keira flopped back on the bed. Before she’d had a chance to call Noah, the doorbell rang and she heard Mel talking into the intercom before she arrived back in the bedroom doorway.
“It’s Noah,” she said. “I buzzed him up. I’m going over to Phil’s place for a bit.”
“You don’t need to go out.”
“You two need some space. Call me if you need me, okay?”
“Thank you.”
Mel blew her a kiss, then let Noah into the flat on her way out.
“Hi,” Keira said, getting up from the bed when Noah walked in.
“Hi.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his chest.
He held her tightly. “Me too.”
“I freaked out, but only because I don’t want you to leave.” She drew back, forcing herself to look him in the eyes. “Can’t you stay in Bristol?” She might as well have stripped naked for how exposed she felt. The look on his face was an answer in itself, and she moved away from him to sit on the bed.