Page 53

NOAH

Please don’t cry

There’s no mistaking her when Sofia walks into a room. I catch a glint of gold off her red hair and note her pale skin, the graceful way in which she carries herself towards me.

Callum stands as she arrives. “Hi Sofia, nice to see you.”

She smiles and gives him a kiss on the cheek. “Hello, Callum. Dapper as always.” Her eyes flicker to mine. “Hi, Noah.”

“Hey.”

A rush of tangled emotions dumps over my head.

That we’re at the same party, in the Southern hemisphere after months of no contact, is surreal.

She looks as stunning as ever, dressed in a tight-fitting, calf-length designer dress, with massive heels.

Her red hair cascades in curls over her shoulders and down her back, her signature red lips showing off a gleaming smile.

Sofia bites her bottom lip. “Do you mind if I join you? I won’t stay long, I promise.”

My gaze darts to Callum and he nods. “I’ve got to use the bathroom. Be back in a minute.” He shoots me a look as if warning me to not put my foot in it whilst he’s gone.

“How are you?” Sofia asks, sitting down next to me. She places her champagne flute on the table and clasps her hands.

“Good. How are things back home?”

Sofia shrugs. “Same old.”

“What’re you doing all the way out here?” I nod to the dance floor below us. “A long way to come for a promo.”

She smiles. “I’ve never visited Australia. Too good to pass up.”

“Understandable.”

“It’s beautiful here,” Sofia adds. “I can see why you moved back.”

Despite the pumping music and the hubbub of conversation and laughter around us, an awkward quiet settles between the two of us.

Sofia blinks several times. “Is Millie here?”

My cough of a laugh is filled with surprise. “No, she had to work. You know about Millie?”

Sofia smiles. “ Everyone knows Millie. It’s all anyone’s talking about back home.”

I run a hand through my curls. “I’m sorry if that’s weird for you.”

She waves a delicate hand. “It’s not weird. I’m happy for you.” A scoff of disbelief escapes my mouth, and she gives me a wry grin. “What’s that noise for?”

“Because I know you mean it,” I reply. “You are happy for me. You were always the mature one out of the two of us. You’re smart and level-headed and want what’s best for everyone. I’m sorry I didn’t always treat you that way when we were together.”

Sofia tilts her head to the side, her red hair falling across her forehead. “We both played our parts in things not working out. I’m glad to see you’ve found yourself again.”

She’s right. My friendships with my friends are stronger, I have my thirst back for surfing and I’m confident in myself again.

Admitting to my mistakes and owning them, apologising to those I’ve wronged and focusing on what matters most, like family, friends and my future, has completely changed the way I feel down to my bones.

A pleasant warmth radiates through my chest. “I have found myself again.”

“Good.” Sofia relaxes her shoulders. “Australia suits you. Do you ever miss California?”

Do I miss California? Three months ago, I would’ve answered with an immediate yes.

That every part of my body screamed for my old life.

The powerful surf, parties with the rich and famous, catching up with friends at our local bar after a busy day.

But the pull has shifted. I miss my friends and the great memories I had there, but there’s so much here that’s going well.

Surfing with the friends I grew up with, being back with my family, Millie . . .

“Wow,” she whispers, almost shy at my lack of response. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you lost for words and practically beaming at the same time before.”

I chuckle. “I think I might be growing up.”

Sofia reaches for her champagne flute and it’s not until she takes a sip I realise her eyes are watering. Oh, shit.

“Please don’t cry,” I beg, placing my beer on the table.

She gives a self-deprecating laugh and fans her face, putting her drink down. “I know you hate it when women cry. It’s not you, Noah. I promise.” She offers a helpless smile. “I’ve had too much champagne. Alcohol stirs up the nostalgia.”

“I’m sorry?—”

“Please stop apologising,” she cuts in, wiping a manicured finger under her eyelashes. “If I’m being honest, life isn’t exactly amazing for me right now. I’m miserable.”

My eyes widen and instinctively I reach for her hand, holding it on the sofa between us. “What’s wrong?”

Sofia glances around before leaning in closer, as if she’s terrified someone might hear.

The scent of her signature floral perfume fills my nostrils.

“I’m exhausted. I’m working crazy hours and I’m not sleeping.

I’ve got no one to off-load to after a massive day or to share secrets with.

So many people come into my life under the guise of being genuinely interested in me, but they all turn out to be fame-hungry, gossipy mooches.

I have no real friends. It’s like I’m a workhorse, but I’m also the boss and the producer and the admin assistant.

It’s not fun like it used to be.” A silent tear rolls down her porcelain skin.

Even when she’s crying, she looks utterly regal.

“Hey,” I say soothingly. “It’s great you can admit this. You have the power to change your circumstances if you’re not happy. Cut back on some jobs. Get back to what makes you excited.”

Sofia lets out a slow, deliberate breath. “You make it sound so easy. I’m in with so many brands right now, I can’t up and leave.”

“Maybe not, but you can formulate a plan,” I suggest. “Make sure you’re aligning yourself with brands you respect. You could pay to back out of some of them if you wanted. You’ve got enough cash and a very good lawyer.”

Sofia gives me a closed lip smile and wipes under her eyes again. “You think I can do that? I hate disappointing people.”

“I know. But you’re going to be really disappointing if your health suffers and you end up sick.

” I place my spare hand on top of our already connected hands.

“We might not be together, Sofia, but I still care about you. I still care about your wellbeing. Nothing is worth your health or your happiness.”

She smiles again. “Thanks, Noah. I’m sorry to dump this on you. I’ve become so busy I’ve lost my real friends.”

“They’re still there,” I assure her. “My mates had my back the second I let them in. You’ve got to do the same.”

Sofia stares down at our hands and I don’t have time to process what the fuck is happening before she whips her head up and kisses me square on the lips.