A Step Closer to Love

Kieran stood watching her go, he had been worried about her and that was the reason he left the retreat to come home. He could not tell why he was worried about her but he knew he had to come home and check on her.

She was fine and he felt stupid for worrying. She was even planning a date with someone. He did not know why the date affected him but he just knew that since she came to live with them he could not sort out his feelings.

“Honey, why are you standing here looking so lost in thought?” Everly’s voice came out of the house snapping him back to reality.

“What?” he said in confusion looking at his mom who was standing at a distance holding the door open.

“What are you doing at home? I thought you travelled for work?” she asked again watching his face and the confused expression she had never seen before cloud his face.

“I came early” he said but it was obvious his mind was not in what he was saying.

“Is something bothering you?” she asked him and he shook his head.

“Just a little tired,” he said. At least it was not a lie, he was tired. How would he explain to his mother that the actions of Arabella were somehow bothering him?

“Come on or you might catch a cold” Everly said before turning to leave.

She was used to her family leaving her in the dark about everything so she did not mind when Kieran turned down her request to hear him out and know what was going on with him.

Kieran stepped into the house and watched his mom climb the stairs, he followed in a distance quietly. He needed someone to help him uncover what he was feeling and he did not know who to call.

He entered his room and sat on his bed trying to scroll through social media when a message came in from Aurora.

‘Are you both happy that you went on a trip without me?’

Kieran was not sitting beside her but he could hear and feel the annoyance text. Why was she mad? She is the one who decides to let her team sit out the retreat because she does not want him getting closer to Arabella.

‘Dont even try to blame us, you decided to sit this one out’ he texted back

‘You should have cancelled altogether if I were not going’ she texted again.

‘Aurora I am sure we have both had a long day and it is getting late so why don’t we call it a night?’ he sent to her and dropped her phone on the table.

He stood up and tried his best to freshen up quickly before jumping into bed. He thought about how difficult it had been for him to process the emotions he had been feeling with Arabella the past few days.

He was feeling something he once felt and he was not sure how he felt about it.

‘Don’t forget our date today’ Arabella blinked multiple times at her phone screen. She had been looking forward to the date all week but now that it was time to go she suddenly did not feel the need to go.

“Myst I go?” she asked herself silently as she stretched under the covers in her bed. “Can I just have today to myself?” she added in a low whisper.

“Arabella Honey” Everly knocked on the door lightly waiting for a response.

“Coming” Arabella said jumping up out of bed and then walking toward the door.

“Good morning darling, are you going to join us for breakfast?” Everly asked as soon as her eyes landed on Arabella.

“Yes, I will” Arabella said letting out a slow and contagious yawn.

“Wonderful be down in a bit,” Everly said as she began to walk away. She stopped and then turned back to the girl who had yet to close the door. She had been waiting till she was out of sight before she closed the door so she didn’t seem rude to her.

“I am having some friends over later in the afternoon, it’s kind of a book club thing but we cover up a little more ground as regards another thing” Everly said.

Arabella could see the hesitation in her eyes. It was as if she had thought about it multiple times before she decided to come clean about it.

“Yes, do you need help with anything?” Arabella offered.

“Would you?” Everly asked her face lighting up in joy.

“Of course, what can I help you do?”

“Oh I don’t want to burden you with my shenanigans” Everly waved her hand in the air and tried to walk away.

“Come on, you can tell me. I am more than willing to help out” Arabella said running out and standing in front of her stopping her from going further.

“Can you join me to make snacks for them and just say hello to them?” Everly asked. “You don’t have to do so if you think it is too much for me to ask” she added quickly.

She did not want to be a burden to the poor girl. She was there to work and not indulge her and her crazy ideas.

“I think that’s a good idea, I can meet your friends and even learn a thing or two about baking as well,” Arabella said.

A smile crept its way up her face and no matter how hard she tried to hide her expression one could tell from a mile away that she was overjoyed.

“Would that be all?” Arabella asked. Maybe something could come up that would make her not to be able to make it out for the date.

“That is more than enough for me” Everly replied rubbing her hand fondly. “Be down for breakfast” she added before walking away. She was afraid that she might begin to cry tears of joy in front of her so she needed to be gone.

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