Page 57 of London, Love, & A Little Something Irish

“Okay, that’s fair,” I concede. “Growing up, I didn’t have much of a life outside of playing around in the pool. So my world basically revolved around the Disney Channel.” I laugh, shaking my head. “And books. Lots and lots of books. Especially Mary-Kate and Ashley themed books.”

“I’d give it a shot if I found the right one.” Nathan says as he shifts, just slightly, and suddenly, his arm is resting along the couch behind me. His fingers brush against my hair—just barely—but it’s enough to send a ripple of awareness down my spine.

I should focus. I should keep talking.

“Okay, give me 20 minutes and I’ll bet you, you willLOVESuits. If you don't like it, we can turn it off,” I say with my hands up and palms out, ready to surrender to him not loving Suits. Although it’ll be so hard for him tonotlove Suits. That first episode was one of the greatest first episodes there has ever been in the history of tv, in my opinion.

He laughs. “Alright. You’ve got 20 minutes to convince me.”

I pull up the show, ready to bask in my inevitable victory. “If you don’t love this, we can turn it off. But I know you’re going to love it.”

The episode starts, and for a while, we just watch. But my mind keeps drifting. To his arm behind me. To the heat of his body, so close. To the way our legs are just barely touching—but not enough.

And also what he said.

I definitely want a life that is more adventurous. Or at least, maybe, notsomuch TV in my life. Growing up, my life was definitely a lot of the Disney Channel. And I loved it. It also was a lot of being in the pool. That was my favorite childhood memory. My mom taking me to the pool in the summers. In the afternoons or evenings sometimes after school. She always paid so much attention to me, too, whenever I was ready to show her all of my tricks.

But besides that, I was pretty sheltered. And also, my parents weren’t really outdoorsy. I don’t blame them, we each have different interests in life. So I grew up going to the mall a lot. It was great. I loved getting my sugar cookies from Haagen-Dazs. Walking into Abercrombie Kids and trying to find something on the sale rack. I also read a lot, and I think reading is so good for the mind and the soul. But, I'm also ready to have a few more adventures. Branch out a little.

I sneak a glance at him. His jaw is sharp in the glow of the screen, his brow slightly furrowed as he watches the story unfold. Good, he’s into it.

And then his eyes flick to me, and he catches me looking.

I start to look away, but before I can, he smirks and pulls me closer. Just like that. No hesitation. No question.

My pulse hammers, but I settle against him like it’s the most natural thing in the world. His fingers trace slow, lazy circles on my shoulder, and my thoughts?Completely gone.

Could I have adventures with this man? Could this be something that isn’t just for now, but forever? Am I already thinking about whether he’s potentialhusbandmaterial?

…Yes. Yes, I am.

We’re getting tothescene: Mike stepping into the interview with Harvey, where Harvey finds out he’s not actually a lawyer but knows the bar like the back of his hand. The witty banter, the flawless execution of it all.

I pause the episode dramatically.

Nathan groans. “Why are you stopping it?”

I smirk. “So, should we turn it off?”

His eyes flick to mine, and there’s something undeniably playful in them. “No. Give me the remote.”

“Nope, maybe I’ll let you wait it out a bit since you teased my love of TV,” I reply, tilting my chin up teasingly, holding back the remote.

“Give me the remote, Nataly,” he says as he grins and moves to take it from me.

I laugh as he snatches it from me.Hook, line, and sinker.

By the time the episode ends, I have to leave, and I don’t want to. Neither does he.

We walk to the tube, and the moment we stop outside the station, a hush settles between us. This is the part where I should say goodbye.

But my body doesn’t want to move. And neither does his.

We linger.

Then, finally, he reaches for me, and I melt into his arms. His embrace is solid, warm, like it’s exactly where I’m meant to be. And when he presses a kiss to my lips—just a quick one, nothing too much for public—I can’t help the way my stomachflips.

“Text me when you’re home safe,” he says, his voice quieter now, moreintent.

---