Milan was uneventful, all work and no play. The days became a hazy blur, passing by quickly until night fell. Noah called or texted me every day, but we were never in sync with his schedule as busy as mine.
Three weeks pass before we manage to be in our beds at the same time.
It’s after midnight for me and dinner time for him. He’s child-free, and thank God because the video call is what we both need.
“I miss you,” I tell him, trying to control my breathing from a very intense self-induced orgasm.
“You have no idea,” he responds, laying perfectly naked in his bed. “Just give it time.”
I want to be honest, ask exactly how time would change things between us. The hard, cold reality is that I’m in Paris, and he’s in LA. Time won’t change that.
“Okay,” I mumble as a yawn escapes me. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
We hang up the phone as I fall asleep to the sound of sirens outside on the street.
Weekends are always the hardest. There’s only so much I can do to occupy myself. I attend every social event just to get out of the apartment, but the craving to be in Noah’s arms never leaves me.
Upon returning one night, tipsy from a gallery exhibit that handed out free champagne, I decide I need perspective.
“Hey, Charlie.”
“Uh-oh… you sound awful. Are you sick, wait… you’re pregnant!”
“No, I’ve had a few drinks,” I assure her, a slight hiccup escaping me. “Charlie, how am I going to do this?”
Over the last few weeks, I’ve kept mine and Noah’s relationship on the down-low. It’s all still new, and I want to make sure I know how I feel before involving others. But tonight, I shed light on the whole situation leaving out the part about any lovemaking since Charlie is Noah’s cousin.
“Kate, you’re the strongest, most loving woman I know. I know that one day when you fall in love with a man, your heart will be all his,” she tells me with a smile evident in her voice. “Dominic was an infatuation, that bad habit hard to break, but he wasn’t the one to love you the way you deserve. You love Noah, and his children are his world. I believe in you, and I believe you’ll make a fantastic stepmother. I’ve seen you with my girls, and they adore you.”
“But I’m here, Charlie. Am I supposed to give up my whole life for a man?”
“You’ll do what your heart feels is right. When Lex and I first g
ot back together, I also thought the same. He was in London, and I in Manhattan. And look at us now? We’re in LA. Wherever the two of you are, it doesn’t matter. Love always prevails.”
Love always prevails.
What do I know about love? I’m an amateur.
Yes, I’ve said the words, but the fact that I am not running into his arms and giving up my world, does that count for anything?
“He’s going stir crazy, just so you know.”
“He is?” Selfish of me to feel this way, but this news somehow makes me feel better.
“Are you kidding me? The guy is crazy in love with you. You try to talk to him, and he’s spaced out. He even came over the other day and agreed to watch Romeo and Juliet with Amelia and me.”
“The one with Leonardo DiCaprio?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Oh.” I sigh, followed by a laugh. “How tragic.”
“So, as I was saying, don’t think you’re alone in feeling this way.”
We speak about his kids, work, and life during our calls but never really delve into our relationship since neither of us has answers.
“It’ll work out, I promise,” Charlie reminds me. “You’ll just have that moment when it all falls into place.”