Page 45 of London, Love, & A Little Something Irish

Nathan

I said I was going to give her space. Give her time to figure it all out.

But that lasted about 0.5 seconds.

Because I don’t actually want to give her space. I wanther.

She texted me yesterday and told me she broke up with Joel. Which means I need to be patient. I don’t want her to feel like she’s just hopping from one thing to the next. But weallknew her relationship with Joel wasn’t right—her friends, me, probably even Joel himself.

She hasn’t told me all the details about the breakup yet, but I’ll be here for her. Ready when she is.

And so, here we are.

It’s the music team’s practice night at the Warehouse, and I know she’s there. She also mentioned—half-jokingly, but I took it as a promise—that she’d take me up on my offer of a motorbike rideone day.

Well.One dayis today.

She’s going to panic. I know that. But Nataly doesn’t need someone who’ll let her stay in her cushy comfort zone. She needs someone who’ll make herfly.

I grab the leather jacket I brought over from Belfast. My dad had originally bought it for my mum years ago, when they were still together. She took a couple of trips on the bike, and it hasn’t been worn since. But I kept it, waiting for someone who’d truly belong on the back of my bike. Someone I’d want on the back of my bike, arms wrapped around me.

I drive a Kawasaki Z 1000cc, and it’s great for driving through the city, but also to have someone on the back. It’s gray, it’s sleek, it’ssexy. The sports bike I’ve had my eye on for a while now, the Suzuki GSXR, isn’t really as great for a backpack rider. So, thankfully, she should feel comfortable enough on this one. And if I have to be patient and wait for her, well, I’ll happily do it with her arms around me. I can’t wait.

I’ve also got boots for her, for longer rides. And a helmet. Though something tells me she’ll want her own. A pink one. I know her well enough by now that pinkreallyis her favorite color.

I pack it all and grab my leather jacket. I put it on and grab my helmet and keys and head out the door. I lock up, thinking about how I’m eager to know what she’ll think about the bike. I’m sure it’ll take a little warming up to for her. She’s learned to be fearful throughout life.

I want her to let go of fear and choose hope. Choose adventure.

So I’ll help her do just that.

The night isperfect. The air’s crisp, but not too cold, and the golden hour glow is radiant, turning the city into something cinematic. On the bike it might feel a bit nippy, but all the more reason for her to grab on tightly to me. I won’t object.

I pick a playlist, pop in my earbuds. There’s nothing like a bike ride with house music pumping through my veins, matching the rhythm of the engine beneath me.

As I weave through London’s traffic, my heart pounds. Not from the speed, not from the ride—but from the thought of seeing her. She’s always wearing a hair tie on her wrist, ready to put up. So I know she’ll be prepared for the ride.

It takes me 30 minutes to zip through the chaos of London streets, slipping between cars, the pulse of the city alive around me. I love zipping in and out of the chaos of London traffic.

I pull up to the Warehouse and park. I whip off my helmet.

I don’t text her right away. I want her to hear me first.

The moment feels like electricity, like I’ve just set something in motion.

Then, I pull out my phone.

Nathan: Look out the window

Then—there she is. Her head pops into view, eyes wide. Her mouth drops open, then morphs into a smile. Arealone. Not the polite kind. Not the hesitant, overthinking kind. A good sign.

Not even a minute later, she’s pushing her way through the double doors and walking straight towards me. Jeans. Boots. Perfect for the ride.

“Hey, you,” I grin.

“Hey, yourself! What are you doing here?” Her eyes flick to the extra helmet. Then back to me. Her jaw drops open slightly. I see the hesitation. A flicker of fear.

“I’m here to give you a lift home.” I lift the helmet slightly. “You still owe me that ride.” I wink. I know she’ll be a bit hesitant but I want to show her she’s got nothing to worry about.

---