The next morning, soft sunlight peeked through the curtains, gradually filling the room. Lia stirred, blinking her eyes open to see Harvey still beside her, his arm loosely wrapped around her. She smiled, remembering the events of the night before and the gentle words she'd whispered to him.
Harvey's eyes fluttered open, and when he saw her watching him, he smiled sleepily. "Good morning," he murmured, brushing a hand over her hair.
"Good morning," she replied, her voice soft. "I hope I didn't kick you in my sleep."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "No, but you did make things official," he teased. "And I think it might be my favorite way to be asked out."
She laughed, her cheeks warming. "Well, I meant every word of it."
He reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "So did I."
They lay there for a while, basking in the quiet comfort of each other's presence, both knowing that this was only the beginning of their journey together.
After a few peaceful moments, Lia sat up, stretching her arms with a contented sigh. "So," she began, glancing at Harvey, "what's the plan for today?"
Harvey propped himself up on one elbow, smiling. "Well, I thought I'd give you a little tour of my hometown. Show you all the places I've told you about and introduce you to a few friends if you're up for it."
Lia's face lit up. "I'd love that," she said, excitement bubbling in her voice. "It'll be nice to see where you grew up."
He reached over, playfully ruffling her hair. "Perfect. We'll start with breakfast, then we'll take it from there."
After getting ready, they headed downstairs where Harvey's mom was already setting up the breakfast table. She greeted them warmly, a knowing smile on her face as she handed them mugs of steaming coffee. "Good morning, lovebirds," she teased, causing Lia to blush.
As they settled in, Harvey's dad joined them, sharing stories about Harvey's childhood antics, much to Lia's delight and Harvey's mild embarrassment. Lia laughed along, feeling more at home with every story.
Once breakfast was done, Harvey led her outside, guiding her down familiar streets and pointing out places that had been special to him. He showed her the park where he learned to ride a bike, the café he'd spent countless afternoons in during high school, and a bookstore tucked away on a quiet street.
By the time they reached the last stop on their mini-tour, the two of them were relaxed and laughing as if they'd known each other their whole lives. Lia looked around, taking in the quaint charm of Harvey's hometown, feeling grateful to be there with him.
"Thank you for today," she said, squeezing his hand. "It's so special to see this part of your life."
Harvey smiled down at her, his eyes soft. "I'm just glad you're here to share it with me."
"Before I forget, close your eyes and hold out both hands," Lia said, guiding him gently. "I've been meaning to give you this since I arrived here, and I think now is the perfect moment."
Harvey did as she asked, his excitement showing. "Can I open my eyes now?" he asked eagerly.
Lia nodded. "Yes, go ahead."
As Harvey opened his eyes and looked down at his hands, a broad smile spread across his face. There, resting in his palms, was the custom keychain Lia had made, engraved with both their initials and a small heart.
"Lia... this is perfect," he said softly, gratitude filling his voice. "I'll carry it with me everywhere."
She watched his reaction closely, her heart full. "I wanted you to have something small but meaningful," she explained. "So you'd always remember that I'm with you, no matter where you are."
Harvey looked up at her, warmth and affection shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Lia. This means a lot." He pulled her into a gentle hug. "You're amazing, you know that?"
Lia laughed, hugging him back. "I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me, too."
Harvey held the keychain, his thumb brushing over the engraved initials and heart. It felt like a tiny yet powerful promise—a symbol of their bond that he knew he'd cherish.
"Lia, I don't think you realize how much this means to me," he said, pulling back slightly to look at her. "It's like you're always going to be with me, even when we're miles apart."
Her smile deepened, a shy warmth in her eyes. "That's exactly what I wanted. When I go back home, I want you to know you'll always have a piece of me with you."
Harvey took her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "And I'll hold onto it," he promised, "just like I'll hold onto you."
They sat together in comfortable silence, savoring the closeness. For a moment, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them.
Finally, Harvey broke the silence with a grin. "Now, how about we make this day even more memorable? Breakfast at my favorite café here in the UK?"
Lia laughed, nodding eagerly. "Only if you're buying!"
He chuckled, helping her up. "Deal. Let's make this day ours."
As they arrived at the coffee shop, Lia's heart sank when she suddenly bumped into someone she least expected—Jake and Emily. Seeing Jake for the first time after the exams brought back a wave of déjà vu. Why now? Why here, out of all the countries in the world? Why did it have to be this one?
"You good, love?" Harvey asked, concern etched on his face.
"Yes, love, I'm okay. I don't know how to say this, but am I hallucinating, or do I see Jake and his girlfriend here?" she asked, her voice shaky.
Harvey looked around, brows furrowing in confusion. "Where?"
Lia turned him around and pointed at them from afar. "Right there, love," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She paused for a moment before continuing, "Love, I know this is your favorite café, but can we go somewhere else? I'm not ready to face Jake yet."
"Alright, love," Harvey said, his tone understanding as he gently led her out of the café.
As they walked out of the café, Lia couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest. Seeing Jake, after everything, had thrown her off balance more than she'd like to admit. Harvey gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as they strolled down the street.
"I'm really sorry, love. I know that was your favorite café. I just didn't want things to get awkward, especially since I haven't seen Jake ever since the exams," Lia said apologetically, her voice tinged with regret.
Harvey smiled gently, understanding the weight of her words. "It's okay, Lia. I get it. Your comfort is what matters most," he replied, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "We can always come back another time."
Lia felt a rush of gratitude for Harvey's understanding. It was moments like these that made her realize how lucky she was to have him by her side. "Thank you for being so supportive," she said, her heart warming at his kindness.
As they walked along the street, trying to shake off the unexpected encounter, the chatter of passersby filled the air. But Lia's mind kept drifting back to Jake. Why now? Why here, of all places? She had hoped to leave those memories behind, especially in a new country.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Harvey asked, sensing her distant thoughts.
Lia hesitated, then sighed. "I thought I was over everything with Jake, but seeing him again just... brought back so many feelings. It felt like déjà vu—like I was right back in that moment when everything changed."
"It's natural to feel that way," Harvey replied softly. "It's a part of moving on. But remember, you're not in that place anymore. You're here with me, and I want to make new memories with you."
His words soothed her nerves. "You're right. I just need to focus on the present," she said, looking up at him with a determined smile. "Let's make today amazing."
"Now that's the spirit! How about we find that cozy café and treat ourselves to some pastries?" he suggested with a playful grin.
"Sounds perfect!" Lia replied, her mood lifting as they continued to walk, ready to embrace whatever the day had in store for them.
Jake was stirring his coffee absently, lost in thought, when he caught sight of someone familiar near the entrance. He froze, his heart thudding as he recognized Lia standing there with another guy by her side—someone who looked confident, happy, and at ease next to her. It had been so long since he'd seen her. Memories flooded back, and he felt a pang of something unidentifiable.
Why now? Why here, in the middle of this trip with Emily? He knew it was just a coincidence, but seeing Lia again brought back feelings he'd thought he'd buried. The unfinished business between them, the words left unspoken, resurfaced, tugging at his mind.
He watched her turn to the guy beside her, her hand slipping into his, and he saw the soft way she smiled at him. He realized with a sharp clarity that Lia had moved on, perhaps more than he ever had.
Emily, noticing his distraction, followed his gaze. "Is that... Lia?" she asked, her tone neutral but curious.
Jake looked away quickly, nodding as he took a sip of his coffee to mask his discomfort. "Yeah, it is," he admitted, trying to sound casual. "I didn't expect to see her here."
Emily studied his expression, her eyes knowing. "How are you feeling about it?"
Jake sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I don't really know. Part of me wants to go over and say hi, but another part of me feels... unfinished. Like maybe it's best to leave things as they are."
Emily placed a comforting hand on his arm. "It's okay to feel that way. Sometimes closure doesn't come from talking—it comes from accepting and moving forward."
He gave her a small smile, grateful for her understanding. "Thanks, Em. I think... I think I just need to process seeing her happy. It's a reminder of what I couldn't give her."
As Lia and her companion turned to leave the café, Jake found himself releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Maybe Emily was right. Maybe it was time to let go completely and focus on building something meaningful with her instead.
With a renewed sense of resolve, he looked at Emily. "How about we go explore that art gallery you wanted to visit?"
Emily grinned, her eyes lighting up. "I'd love that."
Steve leaned back in his chair, scrolling through his feed when he spotted a recent post from Emily. He raised an eyebrow and leaned forward, calling out to his friends.
"Did you guys know that Jake and Emily are also in the UK?" Steve said, holding up his phone to show them a picture Emily had posted. In the photo, Jake and Emily were posing in front of a London landmark, looking like they were having the time of their lives.
Jay looked up, surprised. "No way. I didn't even know they were traveling right now," he said, moving closer to get a better look at the picture.
Evan raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "That's...unexpected. Especially here, of all places. Think they'll try to meet up with Lia and Harvey?"
Steve shrugged, scrolling through a few more of Emily's posts. "I'm not sure. She didn't mention anything about seeing them, but you never know. Small world, right?"
Jay chuckled, glancing between the guys. "Well, if they do bump into each other, that's gonna be interesting. Especially with everything that went down between them before."
Evan nodded, a curious smirk forming. "Yeah, wonder how Harvey would handle it if he did run into them. I'd pay to see that."
Steve laughed, putting his phone away. "Honestly, same. Let's just keep an eye on things. This trip just got a whole lot more interesting."
Steve leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eye as he imagined the scenario. "You know, it's bound to happen. London isn't that big if you're hitting all the tourist spots."
Jay nodded, leaning in with a grin. "Imagine the look on Harvey's face if Jake just walked into the same café or something. I mean, what are the odds?"
Evan smirked, clearly entertained by the thought. "I mean, part of me wants to give Lia a heads-up... but then again, watching it all unfold naturally would be way more entertaining. Plus, she might already know."
Steve raised his hand. "All in favor of keeping it quiet?"
The three exchanged amused looks before all raising their hands in unison.
Jay chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, let's keep it on the down low. But if we do hear about some random encounter between them, drinks are on me because that'll be gold."
Evan laughed, "Deal. Here's hoping we get some front-row seats to the drama."
And as they left the café hand in hand, Jake felt the weight of his past lift, replaced by the promise of a new chapter waiting to unfold.
As Lia and Harvey stepped into the cozy, sunlit café, Harvey's face lit up with surprise when he spotted a familiar group by the window. Bobby, Armand, and Max—Harvey's close friends from university—were sitting around a table, laughing and chatting over their coffee.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite people!" Harvey called out with a grin, guiding Lia over to the group. The three friends looked up, surprised, and immediately broke into smiles when they recognized him.
"Harvey! You didn't tell us you were back in town!" Bobby exclaimed, getting up to give him a bear hug.
Harvey laughed, hugging him back before introducing Lia. "I know, it's been a while! And this," he said proudly, "is Lia, my girlfriend."
Lia gave a shy smile, feeling a little nervous but warmed by the friendliness of Harvey's friends. They each took turns greeting her, and she quickly felt herself relaxing.
"So, what brings you two here?" Max asked, gesturing to the empty seats they'd pulled over for them.
"Oh, we're just having a day out," Harvey replied, glancing at Lia with a smile. "Figured it was the perfect day to explore."
Armand chuckled. "Well, you're just in time for some ridiculous stories. We were just reminiscing about Harvey's high school days." He winked at Lia. "I hope you're ready for some embarrassing tales."
Lia laughed, giving Harvey a playful look. "I'm all ears."
Harvey shook his head, chuckling as he sat down. "Alright, but remember I've got stories about you guys, too."
The table erupted in laughter, and soon Lia felt completely at ease, listening to their stories and sharing in the fun. It wasn't long before she realized how close-knit they were, and as Harvey's hand found hers under the table, she felt incredibly lucky to be a part of this new chapter in his life.
"Not to be rude or anything, just curious—what's it like dating someone younger since you're older and all?" Armand asked.
Lia felt her cheeks warm slightly as Armand's question hung in the air, and she couldn't help but glance at Harvey to see his reaction. Harvey just chuckled, squeezing her hand reassuringly before turning back to Armand.
"Well, honestly, I don't even notice the age difference most of the time," Harvey said with a grin. "Lia's mature, kind, and keeps me on my toes. We balance each other out."
Lia smiled, appreciating Harvey's response. "Yeah, and he's got so much life experience. I feel like I'm learning something new every day," she added, giving him a playful nudge. "It's less about age and more about how we connect."
Bobby leaned back, nodding thoughtfully. "That actually makes sense. Age is just a number when you really think about it."
Armand grinned, raising his coffee cup in a toast. "Well, cheers to that, then! Here's to Harvey and Lia—and to proving us all wrong about any so-called 'age rules.'"
They all laughed, clinking cups, and the conversation moved on to other topics. Lia felt a sense of ease settle over her. Being with Harvey and his friends felt natural, and she realized more than ever how lucky she was to be part of his world.
"Can we take a picture? I want to send this to my friends and family," Lia asked.
"Sure, no problem," Bobby said.
After taking the photo, Lia immediately sent it to her friends and family group chats. It wasn't long before her phone buzzed with notifications, especially from Mia and Hannah.
Mia's message was almost instant: *"Who are the other guys? Whose the tall one? He's cute!"* she texted, along with a bunch of heart emojis.
Lia chuckled, shaking her head. "Mia's already curious about everyone here, especially Armand" she muttered to Harvey with a smile.
He laughed. "Sounds like she's getting the full experience through you," he teased, glancing at her phone as she continued reading through her friends' comments.
Hannah, however, had a specific question: *"Who's the curly-haired ginger? He's adorable."*
Lia looked up at Bobby, who was deep in conversation with Armand and Max, completely unaware of the attention he was attracting from the other side of the world.
"Oh, they're going to be so curious about you all," she said, sharing Hannah's message with Harvey. He chuckled and nudged Bobby.
"Hey, Bobby, looks like you've got a fan," Harvey said, showing him the message.
Bobby's eyes widened as he read it, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "Oh, wow, that's... unexpected," he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Tell her I said hello!"
Lia grinned, typing a quick reply to Hannah: *"He says hi! He might blush if I tell him any more compliments, though!"*
Armand and Max chimed in, amused by the whole interaction. "Looks like you've brought some international charm to the table, Bobby," Max joked, raising his cup.
As they shared stories and laughter, Lia felt her phone buzz again, but this time, she pocketed it. Right now, she just wanted to savor the moment with Harvey and his friends, appreciating how effortlessly they'd welcomed her into their circle.
"Oh, my friends are calling me. Do you want to meet them?" Lia asked, glancing at Harvey with a smile as she answered the call and set her phone on FaceTime. She adjusted the camera so her friends could see both her and Harvey, who leaned in, waving with a friendly smile.
Mia's excited face popped up first, practically glowing. "Lia! Finally! And oh, hey Harvey!" she greeted, giving him an enthusiastic wave through the screen. Beside her, Hannah gave a friendly nod, though her gaze seemed to linger with curiosity.
"Hey, Mia and Hannah! Nice to see you both," Harvey said warmly.
"Likewise," Mia replied with a grin. "So, are those your friends sitting with you?" she asked, eyeing the group curiously.
Lia tilted the phone to give her friends a glimpse of Harvey's friends. "Yep! This is Bobby, Armand, and Max," she introduced, gesturing toward each of them as they waved at the screen.
"Hi, guys!" Hannah said, clearly focused on Bobby as her eyes sparkled with interest. "Bobby, love the curly hair!"
Bobby chuckled, blushing slightly as he waved. "Thanks, Hannah," he replied, a bit bashfully.
The group shared a few laughs as Mia and Hannah asked a handful of light-hearted questions about the UK, Harvey's friends, and all the new places Lia had visited. It felt like two worlds blending together, with Lia in the middle, beaming with joy.
Finally, Mia teased, "Harvey, you better take good care of our girl over there. She's one of a kind."
Harvey nodded with a gentle smile, wrapping an arm around Lia. "You don't have to worry about that. She's in good hands."
After a few more minutes of chatting and laughter, they said their goodbyes, and Lia hung up, feeling a happy warmth settle over her. She glanced at Harvey, giving him an affectionate nudge. "Well, that went better than I expected. They really like you."
He grinned, leaning in to kiss her forehead. "Good. Because I really like them too—they're part of you."
With a content smile, they settled back into the lively conversation with their friends, both of them feeling even closer after sharing this moment together.
"So, what do you think about my friends?" Lia asked, a playful glint in her eye.
"They're nice and pretty fun, especially Hannah," Bobby replied with a laugh.
Armand raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Seems like someone's got a crush," he teased, nudging Bobby in the ribs.
Bobby rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his grin. "Oh, come on, guys. I just said she seemed nice," he defended, though the blush on his cheeks gave him away.
Max joined in, chuckling. "Well, Bobby, 'nice' doesn't usually make you turn red."
Harvey laughed along with the others, giving Bobby an encouraging pat on the back. "Looks like we might have a love connection brewing here."
Lia couldn't help but laugh as well. "I'll have to let Hannah know she's made quite the impression," she teased, glancing at Bobby.
Bobby groaned, waving his hands in defeat. "Alright, alright, I surrender. But don't make it weird!"
The group burst into laughter, and the conversation shifted to other light-hearted topics. Lia felt a warm sense of belonging, grateful for the easy bond forming between her friends and Harvey's. It felt like another piece falling perfectly into place.
"I'll give you her socials if you'd like," Lia teased, raising an eyebrow at Bobby.
Bobby laughed, shaking his head but unable to hide his interest. "Oh, really? I mean... if you're offering," he replied, trying to sound casual but clearly intrigued.
Armand smirked, nudging him. "Look at that! Bobby's already planning his next move."
Harvey chuckled, wrapping his arm around Lia's shoulders. "Seems like you're not the only one having a whirlwind romance here."
Lia grinned, pulling out her phone. "Alright, Bobby. Here's her Instagram. Just promise you'll be nice."
Bobby took the phone with a mock-serious nod. "I'll be on my best behavior," he promised, but his eyes sparkled with excitement as he saved Hannah's profile.
Lia leaned in, laughing. "Don't mess this up, Bobby! Hannah is not just sweet but she not one to hold back."
They all laughed, and Lia felt a sense of joy seeing her friends and Harvey's friends clicking so well. It felt like they'd known each other for ages, and she couldn't have imagined a more perfect moment.
"Well, it seems that we're all happy and all," Armand began with a grin, leaning forward. "But, you don't mind giving me Mia's socials, do you, Lia?"
Lia laughed, glancing over at Harvey, who raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Oh, so it's a double love connection we're trying to set up here?" she teased, scrolling through her phone.
Armand held up his hands in defense. "Hey, I'm just curious! She seemed pretty cool from what I saw in the video chat," he said, shrugging casually but unable to hide the hopeful look in his eyes.
"Alright, alright," Lia said, sending him Mia's profile with a wink. "But don't tell her I set you guys up! I'll let her believe you just 'stumbled' across her page."
Everyone laughed, and Bobby slapped Armand on the back. "Looks like both of us are about to test our charm," he joked, making everyone chuckle.
Armand smirked, checking his phone. "Challenge accepted," he replied confidently.
Harvey leaned close to Lia, whispering, "Your friends might be in for an adventure."
Lia grinned, feeling a wave of happiness wash over her. "I think we all are," she whispered back, squeezing his hand. It was turning out to be a day of unexpected connections and laughter, and she couldn't have asked for anything more.
"Don't you have one more friend you can set me up with?" Max asked, laughing as he nudged Lia playfully.
"Alright, Max," Lia began, giving him a knowing smile, "since you're so keen on meeting one of my friends, how about I set you up with Trixie?"
Max raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Trixie? She sounds interesting. Tell me more."
Lia grinned. "Oh, she's more than interesting. Trixie is a bit of a firecracker—smart, funny, and she doesn't take nonsense from anyone."
Harvey laughed, clapping Max on the shoulder. "Careful, mate. Sounds like Trixie might be more than you bargained for."
Max shrugged, looking a little too confident. "Please, I can handle a challenge. When do I get to meet her?"
Lia smirked. "I'll text her and see if she's up for a double date this weekend. But remember, Max, she'll definitely put you through your paces. No cheesy lines allowed."
Armand chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "This, I've got to see. I'll get my popcorn ready."
Max gave a mock salute. "Challenge accepted! Just tell Trixie I'm ready whenever she is."
"Luckily for you, she's actually taking her master's here in the UK," Lia said with a grin. "I'll FaceTime her now." She pulled out her phone and started dialing, giving Max a playful wink.
Harvey leaned over, amused. "Max, you're in for it now."
The phone rang a few times before Trixie's face appeared on the screen, her bright smile lighting up the display. "Lia! Hey, what's up?"
"Hey, Trixie!" Lia greeted her warmly. "I wanted to introduce you to some friends. Actually, one friend in particular." She angled the phone so Trixie could see Max, who waved with a casual smile.
"Hi, Trixie," Max said smoothly. "I've heard a lot about you."
Trixie raised an eyebrow, her smile turning curious. "All good things, I hope?"
Max chuckled, nodding. "Only the best. Though I hear you're quite the challenge—so I'll have to step up my game."
Trixie laughed, clearly amused. "Well, I hope you're ready, then. I don't go easy on anyone."
Lia smirked, exchanging a knowing look with Harvey. "So, Trixie, what do you say to a double date this weekend?"
Trixie thought for a moment before nodding, a spark of interest in her eyes. "Sure, why not? I could use a bit of excitement."
Max grinned, looking genuinely pleased. "Perfect. Looking forward to it, Trixie."
As the call ended, Armand leaned in, chuckling. "Looks like you might have finally met your match, Max."
Max just shrugged, his confidence unwavering. "Bring it on."
Lia hung up the call, a playful smile still on her face as she looked back at Max. "You're in for quite the adventure with Trixie, just so you know."
Max shrugged, keeping up his cool facade. "I like a good challenge. Besides, I think I might surprise her."
Bobby and Armand exchanged amused glances, both clearly enjoying Max's boldness. Bobby leaned in, giving Max a friendly nudge. "You've got your work cut out for you. Trixie's no pushover, and I can already tell she's got her guard up."
Harvey chimed in, grinning. "Oh, definitely. But hey, if anyone's up for it, it's Max."
Max shot them all a confident look, though there was a hint of excitement in his eyes. "Just you guys wait. This weekend, I'll charm her like no one else."
Lia laughed, shaking her head. "Just remember, she's got standards. So maybe ditch the 'charming rogue' routine and just be yourself."
Armand chuckled, raising his coffee cup. "Here's to Max surviving his date with Trixie. And maybe...just maybe...winning her over."
They all clinked their cups together, laughing as the energy in the group felt even lighter than before. Lia looked around, feeling a warmth in her chest as her friends and Harvey's friends effortlessly got along.
As they continued chatting and making plans, Harvey leaned over to Lia, his voice soft. "See? Everything's falling into place. I told you this would be a good day."
Lia smiled, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "You were right. It's even better than I could've imagined."