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“Sure, I have enough baggage to talk about.”

This finally draws a smile from him. “Alright, then I accept the offer,withoutarguing… much.”

“You could also send me a message; one word would be enough.”

He nods, much to my relief, looking quite eager. “Yes, I… I will try doing that. But what if I forget my phone? Or like today, when my phone is dead?”

“Then go to a place I will find you at.”

“Why the fuck did I not think about that?” he exclaims. “I can absolutely do that. But where to?”

“How about here?”

“Here.” He blinks. “It’s Sterling’s old place. He got it from his grandpa.”

“He told me he doesn’t like it much because his grandpa pretty much disowned him and never helped him or his sister, until the very last,” I say.

“That’s true.”

“He also said it’s up for sale,” I say.

“You… you want to buy it?” he asks, stunned.

“Why not? It’s the type of place we both dreamed of as a retreat, didn’t we?” I look around. “It needs some work, but it definitely can become a safe space.”

Noel’s eyes widen. “Under one condition.”

“And what’s that?”

“I want to contribute. I am going to be free of my debt soon, and your lawyer told me I probably will get some compensation, too, for the last couple of years. I know I can’t add much to the deposit, but I want to put a little bit on it.”

I want to tell him to save his money for his studies or just enjoy life a bit, but looking at him now, I know it’s important to him. “I will tell Cedric to contact my lawyer,” I say. “He will draft a contract for you. In case something happens to me, you will own the place. And in case we separate, you will own it too.”

“But that’s not fair.”

“It is fair. You are contributing as much as you can, and it’s just fair, you get something in case things turn wrong between us.” I take his hand. “I know deep down you are a romantic, Noel, even if you try to be rational, and I love that about you. Actually, I think I am the same. But remember how you told me you can’t quit your job, because you need to stay independent in case things go wrong between us?”

He nods.

“This is exactly the same situation. There are times you need to be selfish too, and think about your own safety and future.”

Noel rubs over his face with the palm of his hand. “I am working on being more reasonable.”

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think you are unreasonable.”

“Then, I will try to be more trusting,” he says. “Also, in myself.” He looks around. “The place is romantic, isn’t it? Wild and romantic.”

“I thought the same.”

“We’ll plan this together, won’t we?” he asks. “That alcove there, wouldn’t that look nice for a place you could paint at?”

I nod. “And here,”—I point at the middle of the room—“is the perfect place for a carpet, where you could lie naked, and I could draw you.”

Noel grins. “No one would ever believe me if I told them how silly you can be.”

“That’s why I save it for you,” I say.

Noel tilts his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I like the sound of that,” he admits. “Shall we go home? I don’t think we can stay the night.”