It's been two weeks since Nicholas and I spoke, and since then, I had forgotten all about how it felt to be someone important to him.

Was I really important though? I hardly doubt it after these past two weeks.

I was confused, hurt and somewhat distraught over the entire thing. 

I went over that night in my head perhaps a thousand times, and not once could I find a reason why he just up and left.

Was it because he would be my first? If we did have sex? 

Or was it simply because there was something or someone… which I would only find out a few days ago, that it might be the reason why he left.

Nicholas was seeing someone, a woman, but not just any woman, THE woman.

Clara De Lucie, the next Queen of England, or so some people like to think.

It felt like a punch to the gut as I saw him walk her around hand in hand for the media and the world to see, with the same eyes on her that he'd use to look at me.

He looked happy and in love.

So then why did I feel so miserable?

I believed him when he said he loved me, and that it was at first sight for him, but he disappears and doesn't tell me why?

He might as well be a forgotten memory at this point, and good riddance.

“You look… well.” Emma says, coming to stand next to me.

I smiled at her and saw from the corner of my eye that one of her friends was coming through the bakery door.

“I’m fine, just you know, being in your thirties.” I joked whilst she rolled her eyes.

“Fine, don't tell me.” She sighed, before turning to her friend and smiling.

“Sarah, tell Charlie he needs to live a little, and that he's wasted being stuck in here all day and night.” Emma says to her friend, as I shake my head and continue to tidy up.

“Leave him alone, maybe he likes being alone.” Her friend Sarah says, as I try to ignore the both of them.

“Nobody likes being alone.” Emma sighed, leaning against the counter.

“I keep telling him to ask out Ebony or Laura, either one would die to go out with him.” 

Sarah chuckles. “She's right Charlie, they're both really nice and it's a waste to not get out there.”

“You're a total catch, and you really deserve some ‘me’ time.”

I turned around and forced a smile, but deep down, all I thought about was that even if I did go on a date, they'd up and leave me too, just like all the rest.

“We'll see.” I shrug, as both of them grin.

“You should go for it, you have what- a week's vacation coming up?” Emma nudges me, as I rub the back of my neck.

Why were they pressuring me this much? Did I really look that lonely?

Even more so, I knew they had a point, I had been single forever, and hadn't had a relationship that didn't last more than a few months.

Would it be so bad, if I did go on a date? It wasn't like I was seeing anyone, not anymore…

“Alright.” I sighed. “Uh, what was her name called again?” I asked Emma, who was already on her phone and finding her details.

“Laura, she's totally perfect for you!” She showed me her phone, with a picture of a girl with blonde hair, and blue eyes.

She was pretty, if not beautiful, and the more I looked at her photo, the more I found it hard to believe that she was even remotely interested in someone like me.

“She's a total hottie right?” Sarah leaned over the counter, to look at the photo.

“I swear, you two would get on so well, she bakes too but nothing like you.” Emma grabbed a notepad and started to write her number down.

“Still, something common is a great start.” She rips the piece of paper from the notepad and gives it to me.

“Don't you think?”

*****

What the hell was I doing right now?

I did it, I finally went out there and texted Laura, who seemed more than enthusiastic and excited to meet me for a coffee after work.

So, that's where I am right now, wearing a brand new shirt, tasteful cologne, and my hair styled with actual products.

I only ever put this much effort in when I was with Nicholas, but that was mainly because he was always so well dressed, and I always felt like I was coming in short, and embarrassing myself.

Wearing this stuff… I still felt like I was embarrassing myself.

“Charlie?” I suddenly heard my name, making me look up to see who it was.

“Laura?” I smiled at her as she smiled back and slid into the chair in front of me.

“I couldn't believe it was you.” She looked at me shyly, putting her bag on the seat next to her.

“You look great.”

I laughed lightly and then looked at the menu in front of us. “Would you like something to eat, or drink?” I ask her, as she hums and looks down at the menu.

“Wow, they have cheesecake.” She excitedly says, then looks up at me.

“Is it totally rude if I get that for myself, and an Americano?”

I shook my head and smiled. “Of-course not, I was just thinking the same thing.”

We both laughed and then we heard a commotion within the cafe, and it became obvious that whatever was going on, was happening outside of the store.

“Oh wow, look who it is.” Laura says, looking out the window as I turn my head.

I felt like a bucket of ice water from a glacier landed on my head the moment I laid my eyes on him, outside the window as he walked hand in hand with her.

Nicholas and Clara De Lucie.

They were walking down the street and had photographers following behind them, taking their photos. 

Nicholas was wearing sunglasses but anyone with two eyes could tell it was him.

What was he doing on this part of the city? So far away from the palace.

“It's not every day you see him around these parts.” Laura said beside me, as I pulled my eyes away from the spectacle.

“Yeah…” I smiled tightly, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed inside of my chest.

“It's good to see him actually picking a good one though and settling down, isn't it?” She said, as I simply stared at her.

“With the rumors and everything.”

What was she talking about, what rumours?

“Oh come on, don't look at me like that, you must know, everyone talks about it.” She giggled, as I still had no idea what she was talking about.

Laura leans forward to whisper in my ear, and once her lips near my ear, she speaks.

“He's a Sex Addict.” She whispered as I turned my head slightly to look at her.

“A what?”

She leaned back and went to her seat, shrugging. “It's hardly news, with all the different women he's been with, and then there were photos of him visiting a clinic for sexual disorders, it's hardly news these days, but for a future King to be so stupid and air it out, well it's just crazy, isn't it?”

As Laura talked on and on about Nicholas, all I could think of was back to that night at my apartment, and how weird he got when I said we could go further.

It all was starting to make sense, and not until now had I just noticed what a complete idiot I had been.

“Right, Charlie?” Laura suddenly says, as I snap out of it.

“Sorry, what did you say?” I ask apologetically, as she smiles at me.

“I said this cheesecake is amazing, but nothing like the ones you make in your shop.” She said shyly, with blushed cheeks.

“Oh.” I hadn't even touched mine, but Laura had finished hers. “Thank you.”

I picked up my fork and stabbed the cheesecake while trying not to think about what Laura said about Nicholas and the rumours.

Was that really the reason why he left, and didn't tell me why, with not even a text, or a phone call? Or was I just like everybody else, and believing a rumor that could be false?

At this point, I didn't know what to believe.

Nicholas had always wanted me to know more about him, but not once had he mentioned anything like this, and even if I had asked, would he have told me?

It was too late to wonder now, he had moved on, clearly, and I?... Well I was trying to find ways to feel less like crap, and lonely.

Laura wasn't a bad person, but when she spoke of Nicholas like that, I couldn't help but just want to get up from my seat and walk out on her, but then I would just prove I was no better than her for listening and believing her.

Maybe this was my sign to just forget him, and move on? 

Nicholas did, so why can't I?

“Do you want to get out of here, and take a walk?” I asked Laura, who perked up and smiled.

“I'd love to.”