Elle

We kept talking that day, after we said I love you. Saying it doesn't make everything instantly better, but at least we know where we stand with each other. We both have a lot of regrets and there's a lot we can't change. But riding back along the coast in the late afternoon sunshine, playing tag with one another, I feel...happy, and...hopeful I guess would be the best way to describe it. Kind of like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders, to finally have talked, really talked, with Noah.

To find out that he still loves me, after everything, and wants to try again, well I'd be lying if I said I wasn't overjoyed. Noah Flynn has always had a piece of my heart and I don't think I even realised how much I missed him. He'd become almost like this figment of my imagination, and now he's solid, real again. He follows me back to my apartment and after a brief goodbye, with promises to call each other this week to keep talking, he heads back to Lee and Rachel's. I smirk as I park my bike in its spot, thinking about the third degree he's probably going to face from them when he gets there.

My joy at not having to deal with that until tomorrow fades when I open the door to my apartment and see Steph sitting on the sofa, reading a book. Clearly she's been waiting for me to return. I think I might be in for my own version of the Spanish Inquisition, judging by the look on her face. She arches an eyebrow at me. "Well? Do we need bubbles or bourbon? Are we celebrating or commiserating?"

This is one of the many reasons we're friends. When I can no longer keep the smile off my face, I reply "Bubbles I think!"

Steph throws her book aside and leaps up to smother me in a hug, "Oh Elle! Yay! I'm so happy for you! Okay, first let's get the drinks and then you can tell me everything."

I follow her into the kitchen and watch as she grabs glasses and pops the cork on the champagne. She pours, hands me a glass and says, "Cheers to you, my friend. Now spill."

And I do. I tell her about the coffee, how he's moving here and the kiss afterwards. I tell her about how before that I'd almost convinced myself that I had just been imagining how crazy good kissing Noah was, how different it was than with anyone else. I tell Steph about our long talk, and about us saying I love you. I tell her about the conversation afterwards and how we'd agreed to phone each other this week while he was back in Boston.

"And? Does this mean you're getting back together?"

"Um, pretty much, yeah. We haven't put a label on anything yet though."

"Elle, did you actually tell Noah that's what you want?"

I pause to think. "I guess not in so many words."

"Well don't you think you should? It sounds like he's put it all on the line."

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Lee

Rachel has just left for a girl's night and I'm starting to worry about Elle and Noah. He left pretty early this morning and so far I've resisted the urge to contact either of them. But it's now dark and I'm wondering if somehow it all went to shit and Noah is off sulking somewhere. Do I call him or do I call Elle? Or do I just leave it the hell alone?

I'm still debating the best course of action when I hear the door unlock and Noah walks in, holding the spare key I lent him.

"So..."

He smiles. "It's good Lee. We talked."

Oh thank god. I let out the breath I'd been holding.

"Are you back together?"

"Not officially, but I think we're heading in that direction." His smile is approaching dopey level, so I'm going to take that as a good sign.

"Well alright. So now what?"

"We're going to keep talking this week while I'm in Boston. And we'll see each other again when I come back."

"Okay then. Any chance you've changed your mind about sticking around for lunch tomorrow?" I ask hopefully.

Noah shakes his head, "No Lee. I'm getting on that morning flight."

I scowl. "Coward."

"Ha! You just don't want to face another round of Mom playing wedding planner," he points his finger at my chest.

"True. But just you wait. The heat's going to be on you soon enough, brother. I mean, do you really think Mom's not going to know something's up with Elle as soon as she sees her tomorrow? If the look on her face is half as goofy as yours...."

Noah pushes my shoulder half-heartedly, "Shut up."

I chuckle. "So I'm guessing you've timed your flight next week to miss lunch too?"

"Well not on purpose, but I'm flying back on the Tuesday. Gonna catch up with Chloe on the weekend before I leave, then I have a few things to tidy up in Boston that Monday. The fact that I will miss lunch again is just a happy coincidence."

I fix my brother with a look. "Sure it is. Anyway, Rach's out tonight, do you wanna go grab something to eat? I might even let you beat me at pool afterwards."

Noah scoffs, "Please. As if you could ever beat me anyway."

"Yeah well, Chloe's better than both of us combined, so enjoy it while you can."

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Noah

My last week of work in Boston drags as I try to finish up what I've been working on, and the only bright spot in my days (or rather nights) are the phone calls with Elle. The time difference is still a pain in the ass, but I'm willing to forego a bit of sleep if it means I can talk to her a little longer. With Chloe's advice still firmly in mind, I ask Elle a lot of questions during those calls. What she's been up to, her work, her friends, places she likes to go, bands she's into now, lots of random little things that make up her life.

We don't really get into anything too heavy during those calls. To be honest I've never been all that great at having deep and meaningful conversations over the phone. I'd rather just spend this time reconnecting with Elle, enjoying the sound of her chattering about something stupid that Lee said or her laughter as she describes some funny incident at work. During our call on Thursday though, Elle has another topic in mind.

"So, I was thinking...." she trails off.

"This sounds dangerous already," I joke.

"Shut up," she laughs.

"Fine. What were you thinking?"

"Well, your birthday's coming up in a couple of weeks...."

"No party," I say firmly. It's not like it's a big birthday or anything.

"I wasn't going to suggest a party, since it's well documented how much you hate fun."

"Hey! I like fun. I like parties. Just not ones held in my honor, particularly."

"Yeah okay, whatever. Anyway, I was really just thinking maybe we could go out for dinner, with Lee and Rachel...if you'd like that?"

"Are you asking me out on a date, Shelly? A double date?" I can't help poking fun at her a little.

"Well you don't have to be an ass about it, but yes. I am."

She can't see me, but I'm smirking. "Well then my answer is yes, I'd like that."

"Aw, yay! Okay, cool." She sounds excited and that makes me smile.

"I guess I only have one question."

"What is it?"

"Well, this dinner...are we going together? Like, am I going to be spending my birthday having dinner with my brother and his fiancée and my...girlfriend?" There should be a better word than that, but there it is.

"Yes Noah, in case I hadn't made it clear before, we'd be going together. I'll be attending said birthday dinner in my capacity as your girlfriend."

And just like that, it's already my best birthday ever and the day isn't even here yet.