CHAPTER ONE
Jessa Beaumont is a dancer. She’d had a successful career, which included the National Ballet, before moving into contemporary, and she wasn’t slowing down. She was now older, and her body just couldn’t do what it used to be able to. That was the life of a dancer; it was somewhat short-lived. Now, at forty, she did workshops, choreographed for other dancers, and created her own one-woman show. Creativity was in her blood. She was married to Logan, an architect, and their busy lifestyles meant they hadn’t found room in their lives for children. They had made sure it couldn’t happen.
Jessa’s childhood friend was Noah Callhoun. He’d danced with her at the same school, and now he was off doing choreography for some of the largest dance companies around the world. He was highly in demand, but when she asked him to consult with her for her small one-woman show, he made it happen. He’d come and they’d worked together, helping bring her vision to life.
It had all been done in a week, and they’d said goodbye again. They were used to not seeing each other for long periods, and they talked on the phone often or video chatted. They missed each other, but they were used to it. Life was busy, and they both travelled a lot for work. Jessa was married and had been for ten years. The friendship with Noah spanned thirty-two years, since they’d met as eight-year-old kids. Noah wasn’t married. He’d had girlfriends over the years but nothing that had turned serious enough to settle down.
That cheeky eight-year-old boy she’d known had matured into a wonderful man; he even had a sprinkling of white strands now in his thick head of wavy brown hair. It made him look refined somehow, distinguished. His body was well sculpted from years of dance and training, and he was certainly very handsome. She often mused that men were luckier than women when the inevitable white strands appeared. She dyed her hair to hide the white strands that had taken up residence amongst her long deep-brown hair.
On the night of her premiere, Jessa felt the nerves but also felt confident in her vision and bringing it to life for the audience. Logan couldn’t attend as he was away for a conference, so he’d sent flowers and a note wishing her good luck. Conspicuously missing though was Noah. No messages at all. He knew the date of her premiere; she’d invited him even knowing his schedule wouldn’t allow for him to attend. He’d responded, apologizing that he wouldn’t be able to be there, but today she’d expected at least a message or call of support, and there was nothing. It was unlike him to not wish her well for something so big for her. He’d helped choreograph after all, and she had made sure his contribution was acknowledged.
She got into her opening position, the stage dark, still dwelling on the conspicuous absence of her best friend. All she wanted was a call or message; she knew his schedule made attending impossible. The venue was small and intimate; the capacity of the small theatre was two hundred seats, all of which were sold. She had a reputation, and she planned to deliver.
As the lights turned on and she started to move, her eyes landed on someone in the front row. Noah. She couldn’t hide her smile as she spotted him. She wondered exactly how many things he’d had to move around just to be in Redhill that evening. With his encouraging smile urging her on, she let the music carry her, her body lithe as she danced.
As the final note sounded and she stood in her final position, Jessa knew that it had gone well. She knew from the eruption of applause and the entire audience on their feet. She almost laughed as she saw Noah on his feet, exuberant. Cheering and clapping the loudest, she could hear him clearly amongst the din of the crowd.
Jessa bowed for the audience, blushing her pleasure. She then waved and went backstage, the crowd still clapping for her. She grabbed her phone as soon as she got backstage, texting Noah.
Come backstage, she wrote.
A few minutes later, he came to her door, and she rushed to embrace him.
“You’re so mean!” she exclaimed.
“Sorry. I wanted to surprise you,” said Noah as he pulled back to look at her. “You were amazing. I am so proud of you.”
The pride in his hazel eyes made her smile. “Thank you. I am so glad you came!” said Jessa.
“Glad I could surprise you,” Noah said, then smiled.
“The best surprise,” said Jessa, grinning as she hugged him again tightly.
“Wow, I feel so missed.” Noah chuckled.
“You were,” she said, not letting go of him yet.
“I missed you,” said Noah, holding her close.
“How long can you stay?” she asked, pulling back to look at him.
“Just until tomorrow,” said Noah, pushing a strand of hair which had come out of her bun behind her ear.
“Okay, now I’m sad again,” said Jessa.
“Until next time! Our schedules are so busy,” Noah said.
“Yeah, they are. How’s Sofie?” asked Jessa.
“We broke up,” said Noah.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear. Are these women blind? You’re amazing,” Jessa said, utterly confused as to why her best friend hadn’t met the one yet.
“Thanks, it’s okay. It wasn’t meant to be,” said Noah, seemingly fine with the breakup. “How’s Logan?”
“He’s good. He’s been keeping busy with a few new projects. He couldn’t come; he’s in New York,” said Jessa. “Yeah, I noticed he’s working on a few new things online,” Noah said. “Say hi for me.”
“I will.” Jessa smiled.
"Your delivery didn't happen, so you'll get the flowers I sent tomorrow. I got so angry at the florist; I wanted them delivered to you today," said Noah.
"That's okay, thank you," said Jessa.
"No, it isn't. You should have had them today. Something happened with their delivery van, and by the time they got a new van, they were behind or whatever. I am not happy. They've promised tomorrow so please let me know when you receive them," he said.
"You're sweet. Thank you, I will. Don't be mad at them. It's okay. I'll have that to look forward to tomorrow then," Jessa said with a smile.
They went out for dinner after Jessa got ready to leave the venue and enjoyed the time together. They were long overdue to catch up.
He took her to her apartment after dinner, and to his surprise, she became tearful.
“I wish you didn’t have to go,” said Jessa.
“Yeah, I know,” said Noah.
“I’ll miss you,” she said.
“Hey, what’s wrong? I know; I’ll miss you too,” Noah said, bewildered.
Jessa rarely cried. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her upset, except for the last few times they’d said goodbye when she had inexplicably become tearful. He hadn’t understood it; knowing her well over the years, he knew she didn’t get emotional easily. She hadn't even cried on her wedding day. He hugged her, hoping to comfort her, and she held him tightly.
“I love you,” said Jessa quietly. “I miss my best friend.”
“You’re sweet. I miss my best friend too. I love you,” Noah said, then smiled.
“We should schedule more meetups; being your best friend over FaceTime is terrible,” said Jessa, pouting.