Chapter 5

Best idea ever

Secretly pinching myself under the table, I confirm—when the sharp pain radiates through my arm—that this is, in fact, not a dream. Chris is really here, in the same country as me, sitting just inches away.

I'm still in shock, trying to process it. When we talked on the phone a few days ago, and I half-jokingly said I wished he'd come here, I never thought he'd actually show up. I'd said something similar countless times since he moved to London, but he never came. His usual responses were, ‘I wish I could be there too' or ‘I miss you too,' but he never visited.

But now here he is, staring down at the menu, with the same wavy hair I've always loved, the same soft brown eyes I can't stop thinking about, and the same beautiful face I remember.

But he's different too. His jaw is sharper, his muscles more defined. He's older, taller, and even more handsome than the last time I saw him.

"I'm starving," he says, and his voice sends a shiver through me. We talk practically every day, so I'm used to hearing his voice on the phone, but hearing it in person floods my mind with memories of late nights spent talking about everything and anything.

I blink, watching as his eyes scan the menu. "Me too," I say, sighing as I open my own menu. "I haven't eaten since two hours ago."

Chris lifts his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I just spent fourteen hours on a plane with terrible food," he says with a soft laugh. That laugh warms something deep inside me. It feels like every one of my best memories. It feels like late nights, pancakes, music, and video games. It feels like home.

"You haven't eaten since you got off the plane?" I ask, furrowing my brows.

He lowers his menu, his lips lifting into a smile. "I got off the plane an hour ago," he says. "I came straight to you, Gabi."

My stomach flutters, and I glance down at the menu again. "So, catch me up," I say, trying to focus on the words on the page instead of how my pulse races at six simple words. "What have you been doing since you left?"

He chuckles. "You know what I've been doing."

I shake my head when I look up at him. "I heard it through the phone," I correct him. "That's not the same thing." Lowering the menu onto the table, I shoot him a grin. "I want to hear it from you."

He smiles, holding my gaze, then shrugs, breathing out a sigh. "I applied to college when I moved there, got accepted, and studied computer science…" He tilts his head, lifting a brow at me. "You've heard all of this before. Are you sure you're not getting bored?"

"I could never get bored of you," I say with a tilt of my head.

His smile returns, and he rakes a hand through his hair, tugging on the strands at the back. A habit he's had since forever. "I got into game design, and even found a job that pays well and lets me work from home," he says with a shrug. "And now I'm here."

I blink, waiting for more. "That's it?" I finally ask, disbelief evident in my voice.

He shrugs again. "Yeah," he says. "Pretty much."

I shake my head, tutting at him. "Four years, and that's all you have to tell me? Where are all the crazy stories you're not telling me?"

He lets out a soft laugh that warms my insides. "All of my best stories are with you."

My lips tug into a smirk, loving the sound of that. "Is that right?"

"Yeah." He sighs, leaning back in his chair. "You're the bad influence in my life."

"Wow." I scoff, playfully rolling my eyes. "I see why you didn't visit, then."

His face drops, and he shakes his head. "Gabi—"

"I'm kidding," I say, waving him off. "I know you were busy with classes and stuff." I lift my head, blinking up at him. "Were you…also busy with something else?"

"Like what?" he asks, furrowing his brows.

"I don't know," I lie, lifting my shoulder in a shrug. I know exactly what I'm asking him. "Friends, parties." I glance up at him, swallowing before I say, "A girlfriend, maybe."

He closes his menu, sliding it to the side with a sigh. "No."

"No?" I echo, eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"I mean, I had friends," he says, running a hand through his hair. "They were cool, I guess. Fun to hang out with, and good people, but… they weren't you."

My heart skips a beat at his words, a warmth spreading through me. It's a relief to hear that he didn't replace me during his time in London.

"And the…other things?" I coax, my heart pounding with anticipation.

He hesitates, his gaze flickering away for a moment before meeting mine again. "We went out sometimes," he admits, a faint smile playing on his lips. "We hit up pubs, and Liam, my roommate, threw parties at the apartment sometimes, but again…" He smiles, his gaze locking with mine. "Nothing compares to when I'm with you."

But there's still one question lingering, unspoken between us, and I can't help but wonder why he's avoiding it.

"And the last thing?" I ask, tapping nervously on the table. His eyes drift to my fingers, and I stop abruptly, taking a sip of my drink to mask my nerves.

Inside, though, I'm freaking the fuck out. A million thoughts race through my mind, each one louder than the last.

"No."

I freeze, setting my cup down carefully. "No?" I repeat, my voice betraying my surprise.

"No girlfriends," he confirms.

"None?" I press. Why the hell am I goading him? He already said no. I should be happy with his answer and drop it.

"None," he affirms.

"In four years?" I blurt out before I can help myself. Dear god, someone stop me.

"Yeah," he replies with a sigh, a hint of amusement in his tone. "What about you?"

"Me?" I ask, trying to keep my tone light despite the sudden rush of nerves.

"Yeah," Chris nods, fidgeting with his hair and tapping his foot nervously. "Any…Dated anyone?"

I let out a nervous laugh. "Wouldn't really call it dating," I admit, feeling a flush creeping into my cheeks.

"Right."

The silence that follows is suffocating, and I hate silence with a passion.

"Where the hell is the damn waitress?" I mutter under my breath, scanning the café for any sign of the server. Spotting a girl with brown hair in the café's dark red uniform, I flag her down eagerly. But when she turns to face me, I freeze.

Recognition flashes in her eyes as she approaches. "You again," Jess says. I can't help but notice that she's not wearing the septum piercing she had at the party.

Of all the places to run into her. Is the universe against me or something?

"Hi," I say, forcing a smile. I glance subtly at Chris, whose brows are furrowed as he watches us.

"Gabi, right?" she asks, her gaze flickering between me and Chris.

"Yeah," I confirm, my nerves pricking.

She nods, her eyes drifting to Chris. "So, is this…" she trails off, leaving the question hanging in the air.

"No," I interject quickly, cutting her off before she can say anything else. I can sense her curiosity, probably wondering if he's the person I mentioned being unavailable for. And Jess wouldn't be wrong, but the thing is…I'm not unavailable. I'm single, and technically, I can date whoever I want. But the truth is, I don't want to. The only person I want is…him.

I swallow hard, tearing my gaze away from the waitress and back to Chris, who is now looking at me with curiosity.

"Huh," Jess says, a smirk playing on her lips.

I turn back to her, trying to ignore the knowing look in her eyes. "We'd like to order," I say, gesturing towards the menu.

"Sure," she replies as she flips open her notebook. "What would you like to order?"

I point to the burger on the menu, waiting for Chris to choose his order. It feels like she's been here for an eternity and a flash all at the same time. And by the time she finally leaves, Chris glances at me, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"You know her?" he asks, his tone laced with intrigue.

I shrug, a sigh escaping my lips. "Sort of. I met her at a party."

"Oh," he chuckles, but it lacks the usual warmth. "The thing you don't call dating, right?"

"I didn't sleep with her," I blurt out, my words rushing out before I can stop them. Why did I say that? Clearly, I've hit my head somewhere because what the fuck am I doing right now.

He arches a brow, his expression unreadable. "Okay?"

"Just…wanted to clear that up," I mumble, feeling my cheeks heat up.

Chris smiles, shaking his head. "You don't need to tell me, Gabi. That's your business."

"I know. I just…I tell you everything," I admit, though it's not entirely true. Not everything. I glance up, catching his smile.

"I know. You never shut up," he teases, his chuckle easing some of the tension between us.

"Hey," I protest with a smirk.

He chuckles, shaking his head. "I really missed you, Gabi."

I sigh, feeling my heart clench at his words. "I really missed you too, Chris."

"Coming in hot." I twist my head to see Jess placing the food down in front of us, flashing me a smile before she leaves.

"Fuck, I'm starving," Chris says, digging into his BLT.

"Me too. I just came from dance class," I tell him before taking a big ass bite out of my burger.

"I figured," he replies between bites, washing it down with a sip of his drink. "Nice hat, by the way," he adds, smirking as he gestures to my cap—his cap—that I stole from him, and wore for years.

His smirk makes me narrow my eyes at him. "I'm not giving it back."

He shrugs casually. "We'll see about that."

"Never, Hudson," I repeat my words from years ago before taking another bite. I love this hat. I love wearing something that's his. "Where are you going after this?" I ask him. "Have you figured out where you're staying yet?"

"In the last ten minutes?" He shakes his head. "No, not yet. Didn't really think much through besides coming here," he admits with a nervous laugh.

"You could go back home?" I suggest, though the thought of him being so far away from me brings an ache to my chest. I've just got him back. I don't want him to leave me just yet.

Chris shakes his head again, his eyes meeting mine. "No," he says firmly, swallowing down his food. "No, that's not an option. Besides, I came here to see you."

His eyes soften when they land on me, and I can't help but smile, loving the familiarity of his words. He used to say that a lot back in high school. I remember the nights he'd sneak into my bedroom, out of breath as if he had been running. I'd ask him what's wrong, and he'd always say the same thing. I just came here to see you . Those were the nights we'd stay up playing video games, listening to music, and sneaking downstairs for snacks until we passed out in each other's arms.

I miss that.

I miss how effortless everything felt between us back then.

And how much I want it to be like that again.

A light bulb flashes in my mind, and I can't help but grin.

Chris eyes me suspiciously. "Why are you smiling like that?" he asks. "Nothing good ever follows that kind of smile."

"I just had an amazing idea," I tell him, unable to stop smiling like an idiot.

He pauses mid-chew, clearly intrigued. "Which is…?"

"Why don't you stay here?"

He furrows his brow, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"

"I mean…Why don't you stay with me," I say. "In my apartment."

He stops chewing, his eyes widening in surprise. "You mean…move in with you?"

"Why not?" I ask with a shrug. "We practically slept in the same bed every night." Chris shifts uncomfortably, and I'm quick to add, "Of course we won't be doing that anymore." I let out a little laugh. "But, Madi moved in with her boyfriend and left me all alone," I say with an eye roll. "And you know I hate being alone." He smiles a little, maybe remembering all the times he stayed with me. "And you don't have a place to stay." I shrug again. "It sounds like a perfect solution to me."

Chris sighs. "I don't know, Gabi."

"Are you scared, Chris?" I ask, wagging my brows.

He smirks, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Of what, exactly?"

I lift my shoulder in a playful shrug. "That I'll turn all your clothes pink."

He chuckles, flashing me a smile. "I wouldn't even be surprised if you did."

Hope builds in my chest and I grin. "So, is that a yes?"

He exhales slowly, his expression thoughtful. "You're really sure about this?"

"I am," I affirm, nodding. "You came here for me, so why not live with me until you need to go back?"

He seems to mull it over, and a smile slowly spreads across his face, shaking his head in disbelief. "We're really going to live together?"

"We're living together," I confirm with a grin. "This is going to be so much fun. I'm a genius. Best idea ever."