Noah tilts his head and narrows his eyes on me. “Let it out before you explode.”
As if my body was waiting for permission, I shoot forward and wrap my arms tightly around his neck. I bury my face against his warm skin and suck in a shaky breath as an overwhelming feeling shudders through me.
Finally. After all these years.
After not giving up and endlessly hoping, after all the tears, all the longing, all the dreaming about a future that might never be mine – Noah is willing to try.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice hoarse from the happiness bursting through me like a million sunrays.
Noah wraps his arms around me, and he presses a kiss to my shoulder. “I need to say something.”
I nod against him.
“When you told me you loved me, I’m sorry I broke your heart. I still stand by what I did, though. You were too young.”
I pull back as I impersonate Sid again, “Ah, you know me, I’m too lazy to hold a grudge.”
Noah lets out a chuckle.
Clearing my throat, I lift my eyes to his and ask, “But you’re okay with us trying, right?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Yeah. You being eighteen changed things.”
I scrunch my nose at him. “Is that the only reason?”
He shakes his head. “Nope.”
A grin forms around my mouth, and when he keeps quiet, I jump on the bed. “Come on, you’re killing me here.”
He lets out a chuckle. “I’ve started developing feelings for you.”
“Like?” the word rushes from me.
“Like… you’ll have to wait while I try and figure out what they are,” he teases me.
“Butterflies?” I ask.
Noah’s grin grows, and he nods.
I wag my eyebrows. “Tingles down south?”
“Fuck.” He lets out a bark of laughter. “You’re not going to stop, are you?”
I shake my head but then concede anyway, not wanting to push him too hard. “I’m just teasing you.”
We stare at each other for a moment, and it makes another burst of happiness rush through me.
“Can I ask you a question?” Noah asks, tilting his head.
“Sure.”
“Why did you say I’m worth the work? What makes me worth it?”
I reach for his hand, and when I link my fingers with his, and I feel the familiar rush coursing through my veins, I smile up at him. “Physically, you tick all of my boxes. You have a brilliant mind, and yeah, most people might not understand you, but to me, it’s one hell of a turn-on,” I answer directly. “Also, there’s just something about you… almost edgy…” I take a deep breath. “It’s addictive.”
Noah’s eyes are glued to mine as he asks, “You don’t think I’m weird?”
Shaking my head, I murmur, “Everything but weird.”
Noah nods, and when his gaze drifts to our joined hands, I know he’s processing what I just said. After a minute, he brings his eyes back to mine. “You’re good with slow, right?”
“Yes.” I nod quickly.
“Let’s see what happens, and then we can talk about… you know… taking things further,” he says, clearly uncomfortable when it comes to thinking that far ahead.
I lean forward and press a kiss to his cheek. Pulling back, I murmur, “Let’s give it a couple of weeks, and if you feel like you can’t be in a relationship with me, then we can stick to being friends. I just want you to know I’m thankful that you’re trying, at least.”
Noah looks at me like I’m an unsolved mystery, then he climbs to his feet. “I’m going to head to bed.”
“Okay.” I smile at him as I get up. “Sweet dreams.”
He leans forward and presses a tender kiss to my forehead. “Night.”
I watch him leave and then do a happy dance before falling back on my bed.
Chapter 9
CARLA
I wake up, and my first thought is of Noah. A wide smile stretches over my face as I get up to prepare for the day.
Okay, Carla. You need to act all cool around him. Give him the time he needs. At least you’ve leveled up to friendship status.
I’m so freaking happy it feels like I’m bursting at the seams. I take a cute dress from my closet and my favorite pair of boots. When I’m dressed, and I’ve done my make-up, I grab my three-quarter sleeve jacket and shrug it on.
Walking out of my room, my eyes instantly go to Noah’s door, and seeing it’s closed, I head down the hallway.
I find Hana in the kitchen, already sipping on her coffee. “Morning.” I grin at her as I pour myself a cup.
“Morning.” Hana’s gaze sharpens on me. “You look happy. What happened?”
I shrug. “I just slept like a rock.”
“Uh-huh,” she mumbles, clearly not believing me.
I lean back against the counter and say, “Noah and I made peace.”
Her eyebrows pop up. “That is good news. I’m glad to hear things are better between the two of you.”
Forest comes into the kitchen, and before I can say anything, he hugs me, murmuring, “I’m sorry you got caught in the shitstorm.”
Pulling back, I reply, “I was just shocked last night. Sorry for the dramatics.” I lock eyes with my cousin and search for any sign that he’s not okay, then I ask, “How are you holding up?”
He gets himself a cup of coffee. “I’ll be okay.”
Hana gives him the same look she gave me a minute ago. “Yeah?”
Forest nods, focusing on preparing the coffee.
“I talked with Aria,” Hana mentions.
“How did that go?” he asks.
“You’re both hurting,” Hana answers him. “Why can’t you just sit down and talk like adults?”
He sucks in a deep breath. “I tried.” Shaking his head, he sounds tired when he murmurs, “Trust me, I tried. She won’t open up to me.”
Placing my hand on his shoulder, I say, “Aria’s scared.”
He nods. “I know. I don’t know how to reassure her. I’ve tried everything.”
“You show her she has nothing to be afraid of,” Hana says. “Just be there for her. Once she sees you’re not going anywhere, I’m sure she’ll come around.”
“That was the plan,” he replies. Finishing his coffee, he rinses the cup, then says, “I’ll catch you later.”
The second he leaves, I look back to Hana and ask, “They’ll be okay, right?”
Hana nods. “Yeah. If Jade and Hunter can work through their problems, Aria and Forest will be fine.” Hana grabs her bag, then says, “I’ll see you later. Have a good day.”
“You too.” While drinking my coffee, my happiness is dimmed by what’s happening with Forest and Aria.
I need to talk to Aria.
Last night I hashed things out with Aria, and I feel much better now that the mess has been cleared up between myself and my friends.
I can see things are tense between the two of them, but I know I can’t get involved. It’s up to them to decide whether they want to be in a relationship or not.