"Everything is complicated with Hailey," Emma said with a laugh.
"The isolation was probably the hardest part," Noah continued, speaking more to the group now. "Being surrounded by people all the time but not having anyone to really talk to."
"That sounds lonely," Sarah said softly.
"It was," Noah admitted. "You start to forget who you are when everyone around you is treating you like a product."
"Well, you're not a product here," Emma said warmly. "You're just Noah to us."
"Annoying, red-haired Noah," Clara added with a grin.
"Thanks, Clara," Noah said dryly. "That's exactly what I needed to hear."
"You're welcome," Clara said cheerfully.
Walter suddenly jumped up from his seat again, his face flushed with excitement.
"A celebrity!" Walter shouted, loud enough for half the pub to hear. "Hey, let me take a selfie!"
"Walter, you're embarrassing him," Melanie said.
"Actually, it's for my wife," Walter added sheepishly.
"Oh, in that case, embarrass away," Emma said with a laugh.
Noah smiled patiently. "Of course, I'd be happy to take a photo with you."
"Should I stand behind you or beside you?" Walter asked, fumbling with his phone.
"Wherever you're comfortable," Noah replied graciously.
"Smile!" Walter instructed, holding up his phone.
Noah complied, flashing his signature smile and holding up his hand in a peace sign.
The camera flash went off, and Walter immediately began examining the photo.
"Did I blink?" Walter asked anxiously. "I always blink."
"You look great," Noah assured him.
"Perfect!" Walter declared. "My wife is the president of your fan club, you know."
"Really?" Noah asked, his smile widening. "That's amazing."
"She has your poster in our bedroom," Walter continued proudly.
"Walter!" Emma exclaimed. "Too much information!"
"What? It's right above our bed," Walter said innocently.
"And we definitely didn't need to know that," Clara said, covering her ears.
Noah laughed. "Please tell her I said thank you for the support. Fans like her are the reason I can do what I love."
"She's going to frame this photo," Walter said, still staring at his phone. "She has a whole wall dedicated to your pictures."
"A whole wall?" Sarah asked in amazement.
"The entire living room wall," Walter confirmed. "It's a little overwhelming, actually."
"That's so touching," Noah replied, his voice filled with genuine emotion.
The evening continued with more stories and more drinks.
"Tell us about the food," Emma demanded. "Was it amazing?"
"The food was incredible," Noah said. "But I missed Walter's terrible coffee."
"Hey!" Walter protested. "My coffee isn't terrible!"
"Walter, your coffee could strip paint," Clara said.
"That's why it's so good," Walter insisted. "It wakes you up."
"It gives me nightmares," Melanie added.
"There was this one time," Noah said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, "when I was supposed to perform in Tokyo."
"Ooh, story time," Emma said, settling back in her chair.
"I got lost in the venue," Noah continued. "I ended up in the kitchen."
"The kitchen?" Sarah asked. "How do you get lost and end up in a kitchen?"
"Very poor signage," Noah said with a grin. "The chef thought I was a delivery person."
"A delivery person?" Clara laughed. "With red hair?"
Noah nodded. "He handed me a bag of vegetables and told me to take them to the prep station," he continued.
The table erupted in laughter.
"What did you do?" Melanie asked through her giggles.
"I delivered the vegetables!" Noah said. "I figured it was the polite thing to do."
"You actually delivered vegetables?" Walter asked in disbelief.
"The chef was so grateful, he gave me a bowl of the best ramen I've ever had," Noah concluded.
"So you got lost and ended up with free food," Emma summarized. "That's very you."
"I have good luck with kitchens," Noah said with a shrug.
As the night wore on, Walter stood up once again, swaying slightly.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Walter announced, raising his glass again.
"Another speech?" Clara asked. "How many toasts is this?"
"I've lost count," Sarah admitted.
"Tonight," Walter continued, ignoring the commentary. "We're going to party until late! Really late!"
"Define late," Emma called out.
"Later than my bedtime," Walter replied seriously.
"So, like, ten o'clock?" Melanie teased.
"Hey! I can stay up past ten," Walter protested.
The team cheered in response, their voices becoming louder.
"Therefore," Walter continued, holding up a finger for emphasis. "Tomorrow, for all of us, there will be no rehearsal!"
The announcement was met with shocked silence.
"Wait, what?" Sarah asked.
"No coming into the office!" Walter declared. "I'm giving everyone the day off!"
"Whoa! That's amazing!" someone shouted.
"Did Walter just give us a day off?" Clara asked in disbelief.
"I think he did," Emma confirmed. "Should we get that in writing?"
"Too late, he already said it," Melanie said quickly. "No take-backs."
Hailey clapped along with the rest of them, but she was already thinking about her unexpected free day.
"I can sleep in," she murmured to herself.
The noise level in the pub had increased significantly, and Hailey was beginning to feel overwhelmed.
"I need some air," she said to Emma, who was sitting next to her.
"Want me to come with you?" Emma offered.
"No, I'll just be a minute," Hailey replied.
She stood up and made her way through the crowded pub, weaving between tables.
"Excuse me," she said to a waiter carrying a tray of drinks.
"Sorry," she apologized to a woman whose chair she bumped.
She finally reached the front door and stepped outside into the cool night air.
"Much better," she said to herself, taking a deep breath.
The street was much quieter than the pub, with only the occasional car passing by.
She walked a few steps away from the entrance and leaned against a brick wall.
"Where are my cigarettes?" she muttered, digging through her purse.
She found them and pulled one out, along with her lighter.
The flame cast a brief, warm glow on her face as she lit it.
"Perfect," she said, taking a long drag.
The door to the pub opened behind her, and she turned to see Noah stepping out.
"Following me?" she asked with a smile.
"Maybe," Noah replied, looking around before spotting her.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked, walking over.
"Of course," Hailey replied, gesturing to the space beside her. "The wall is big enough for both of us."
Noah settled next to her, close enough that she could smell his cologne.
"It's quieter out here," he observed.
"Much quieter," Hailey agreed. "I needed a break from Walter's enthusiasm."
"He's excited to have me back," Noah said with a fond smile.
"We all are," Hailey said. "It hasn't been the same without you."
For a moment, they stood in comfortable silence.
"Want one?" Hailey asked, offering him her pack of cigarettes.
Noah shook his head, his red hair catching the light from the street lamp.
"No, thank you," he said politely. "I have to be careful with my voice."
"Of course," Hailey nodded. "Occupational hazard."
"I should probably quit too," she added. "It's not exactly good for anyone."
"It's a hard habit to break," Noah said sympathetically. "I had a friend who tried to quit five times before it finally stuck."
"Five times?" Hailey asked. "That's dedication."
"Or stubbornness," Noah said with a laugh.
They fell back into silence, but Hailey could sense that Noah wanted to say something.
She took another drag and waited, watching him from the corner of her eye.
Noah kept sneaking glances at her, his expression nervous.
He opened his mouth several times as if to speak, then seemed to think better of it.