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Oliver is silent. “Probably not,” he admits.

Noel shrugs once more. “There you have it.”

“Some bridges are hard to rebuild,” he says quietly. “I know that. The others do too, but I don’t think they are aware of how big the damage truly is.”

“But you are?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“It took for your girlfriend to dump you to realize, though,” he points out.

Oliver flinches slightly. “I knew it all along, which makes it so much worse. I was a coward. When Lynn left me, it was finally the wake-up call I needed to truly make a change. But I guess it was too late. Or is it?” He looks at Noel like he has all the answers.

Noel pulls his hands away from the balustrade and puts them in his pocket. “I don’t know. I am not Aden, so I can’t answer that. But you are way too pushy in the wrong way. And believe me, I know a thing or two about being pushy.”

“How am I supposed to reconnect with him then?”

“How about doing it his way, or in a way that’s not forcing him into doing something he hates?” he offers. “This is ridiculous. You are a functioning adult. You must know that you are just forcing all of this on him, to make him reconcile with you quickly, probably to relieve your conscience. You need to do it for Aden, and not for yourself.”

“You are saying I am being selfish.”

“I guess I am.”

Noel’s words make me smile. Yeah, he can be merciless like that.

Oliver snorts. “You are one of a kind. So, what do you suggest?”

“I don’t suggest anything. I am obviously on Aden’s side and always will be, but, at least don’t push him. You keep calling him and pushing him to meet you, while that is nothing he likes todo. Why don’t you just start with, I don’t know, talk? Through messages or emails.”

“He barely answers.”

“Yeah, because you always want him to come home or meet one of you. Of course, he doesn’t answer. Just ask him how he is or what he is up to. Normal small talk.”

“Like strangers,” Oliver mutters.

“Yes, like strangers, and go from there.”

From the dining room, I can hear voices that seem to approach. Yeah, I should probably make sure I am not caught listening to my boyfriend and brother. Besides, I have eavesdropped way too long anyway.

Taking a couple of short breaths, I step back slightly before approaching the veranda door again. I make some loud walking sounds, opening the door as if I just arrived.

“Oh, Aden,” Oliver mutters.

“What are you doing here?” I ask. “Mom is waiting with the dessert.”

“Oh fuck, right!” Oliver exclaims. “I am going!”

I nod, waiting for him to leave so that Noel and I can have a moment together. Noel keeps looking at me, his body tensing slightly. “You heard us, didn’t you?”

“I am sorry, I was looking for you and couldn’t help but listen.”

I can see how panic crosses his features. “I overstepped, didn’t I?”

For a moment, I can only look at him, scanning his deep eyes, which hold so many emotions, and his lips, which are quivering right now. He is proud, strong, and confident, while also vulnerable and insecure. Yet, he so openly told Oliver his opinion. No one ever did that for me before. “I love you.”

“What…” Noel’s mouth drops open before his cheeks flush a beautiful pink. “Do you… Do you really mean it?”

“Yes, I love you. I have known for a while, but seeing you stand up for me just made me realize I need to tell you.”