“I want you to use the house account, too,” he says. “You’re the one who’s helping Margie out. It’s the least I can do.”
I know he’s just trying to be nice, but darn it, I’m starting tofeel like a charity case in this town, and I’m not down with that. “No way,” I tell him, dropping my money on the table. “Find another way to help, but I can take care of myself.”
“Fine.” He picks up my money. “I just wanted to be nice.”
“You are nice, Noah, and I appreciate it. But part of my moving out of my parents’ house was to prove that I can be on my own. That includes paying my own way.”
He shakes his head slowly. “I can’t believe you’re going to be a mom. That’s a big deal.”
“It is,” I agree. “But I’ve been trying to become a mom for several years now, so I guess it’s finally my turn. I’m sure it will take some time though.” Especially because I’m going to do it on my own. A lot of people might not think I’m an ideal candidate because of that.
Noah stands up and reaches his hand out to help me up. Yet once I’m standing he doesn’t let it go. Instead, he holds on tightly and leads the way out of the restaurant. The cool autumn breeze wafts past, and I’m suddenly full of so much optimism and possibility I’m nearly blown over. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this sure about something, I almost forgot how good it feels.
As Noah and I walk across the street to my apartment, he still doesn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he turns to me and declares, “We both have a lot ahead of us.”
“I suppose that’s true,” I agree.
He surprises me by saying, “I like you, Allie. I like you a lot. Not only are you a nice person, but you’re generous and caring. You’re the whole package.”
I’m not sure where he’s going with this, but I’m certainly enjoying the props. Especially as they’re coming from my childhood heartthrob. “Thank you.”
“I’m probably moving back to Chicago. And you’ll be here starting a family. Which makes what I’m about to say completely out of line.”
Looking for some levity in the moment, I ask, “Are you propositioning me?”
“No,” he says. “But I would like to kiss you. I’d like that very much.”
Chills race up my spine and into my extremities. I’ve fantasized about this, and not just once or twice, either.A million times.“I’d like to kiss you, too,” I tell him in a breathy voice.
Still keeping the distance between us, he says, “I know I shouldn’t but …”
Instead of letting him finish his sentence, I hurl myself into his arms and plant one on him like I’m performing a lifesaving resuscitation. Everything about this moment feels right. From the softness of Noah’s lips to the warmth of his arms around me. We’re a perfect fit and I never want him to let go of me.
Our kiss goes on for what could be seconds or lifetimes. I don’t really know because all sense of time has flown and has taken any common sense I once possessed with it.
Kissing Noah Riley is everything I ever dreamed it would be. My teenage self had no idea how great it really is. Good thing, too, because I probably would have set up camp on his doorstep had I known.
Noah eventually breaks our contact to take a deep breath. If it was up to me, I’d die right here in his arms. “Wow,” he says. “We should have done that sooner.”
“When?” I ask. “When I was fourteen and you were seventeen?”
He shakes his head. “Probably not then. But I would have definitely gone for it the summer you and Lorelai graduated from high school.”
I love this feeling of ease between us, so I tease, “When I was eighteen and you were in your twenties?”
He looks down at me with such tenderness, I wonder how I ever survived without him. “I might have waited until your college graduation just so it didn’t look pervy.” After a beat he asks, “Can I kiss you again?”
My chin barely lifts before we’re once again locked in each other’s arms. Even though I know nothing long term can happenbetween us, that doesn’t keep me from relishing every moment of whatever this is.
When our connection finally ends, I tell Noah, “That was very nice, thank you.”
He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Thankyou.” His hot breath sends ripples of pure ecstasy through me. “What are we going to do about this?” he asks.
“About what?” Playing dumb seems like the way to go.
“You and me.”
“We’ve already told each other what we want,” I tell him. “I want to be a mom, and you want to go back to Chicago. Which I suppose means that whatever this is, it’s only temporary.”
