Page 18 of London, Love, & A Little Something Irish

“I asked how long you’ve been in London?” he repeats, a small grin tugging at his lips.

“Oh! Right.” I laugh, shaking off my little mental detour. “It might take me a bit to get used to your accent. It’s like a world away from what I grew up with. But I’ve been here since September. Before that, I was in Bournemouth. Beforethat, Atlanta. But I was born in Brazil.Oh, and I’m Italian. So basically, I’m from the entire world.” I laugh as I give him the full run-down of my history.

I grew up moving around a lot. My parents were Italian / Brazilian, and I was born in the heart of São Paulo. But when I was 5, my parents moved us to Atlanta. In my heart, I feel the most American. Even if my passport says I’m Italian, America has always had my heart.

My parents would also move us just five minutes down the road every couple of years because they would find a new house that they liked, and generally that meant a new school, even if it was around the corner. So moving around? I’m a pro.

Nathan gives a low laugh, shaking his head. “Wow. Italian, Brazilian,andAmerican?” He pauses, eyes flickering with something unreadable. “That explains a lot.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What exactly does that explain?”

He smirks. “Your personality. You’re so…” He gestures vaguely, then locks eyes with me. “Bubbly. Full of life.”

His voice is casual.

Hislookis not.

No sir.

The next few minutes are a blur of easy conversation, laughter, and me mentally reminding myselfnotto read into every little thing. But then?—

We’re nearing the bus stop, I can see the train station just alittle further down the road. Nathan notices some friends standing by the entrance, and I can practically hear the screeching brakes in my head as my mind goes into overdrive.

If he stays with them? Not interested.

If he says hi and keeps walking withme?

Well.

I continue on with Joy, all my senses standing at attention while I stroll down the street. Casually (socasually), I keep walking, keeping my expression neutral even though my brain is straight-up sprinting laps. I may have hated the mile run at school growing up, but my mind sure does make up for it and runs several miles an hour. Nathan slows his pace for a split second, greets his friends with a quick clap on the back, a couple of words—then, without hesitation, falls right back into step beside me.

Oh.

That’s when my mind starts playing its own soundtrack. Maybe some church bells and a gospel choir, too…okay, I’m exaggerating a little. But still. I mentally tell them topipe down. It’s just the tiniest glimpse of interest. No big deal. We’re friends.

He falls back into our conversation as we near the bus stop. But now, there’s an extra little spark in the air.

We’re all about to board the bus. He makes his way up to the top of the double decker bus. I’m always terrified of going to the top because my clumsiness is not exclusive to mascara dropping down the toilet or forgetting my camera. I make my way up with no face planting thankfully, and plop down on the seat behind him.

Nathan turns, shifting so his back is against the window, one arm draped casually over the back of the seat. “So,” he says, grinning, “got any exciting plans for the rest of the week?”

He’s been mainly directing his questions towards me, but he’s always including Joy into the conversation. Polite, yet focusing his attention onme. Joy has dropped in and out of the conversation at times, looking at her phone and texting. I don’tmind that at all, and I know she probably knows. She has given me plenty of smirks along the way.

“Besides uni? Probably the cinema. I have a Cineworld card, so I basically live there. I walk in like, ‘honey, I’m home.’” I laugh.

He chuckles. “Yeah? You a big movie fan?”

“I LOVE movies. I love stories. I especially love romantic comedies and sci-fi movies like the Avengers. But they have to have happy endings. If they don’t, I’m devastated and feel like I’ve wasted my time.”

Nathan grins. “Noted. You’re all about the happy endings.”

“Exactly.”

“What are you planning on watching next?”

“I’m actually SO excited forInsurgentto come out,” I say, practically vibrating with excitement. “I’ve been waiting forever for the sequel!”

“What’sInsurgent?” he asks, brows furrowing in confusion.

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