“And he does this all from his mom's basement. It’s part of his cover story,” I add in for good measure.
“Oh, and he loves to be pegged by Zoe. But he says he does it because she likes to be dominant in the bedroom, but they both know deep down he just likes it,” she concludes, and then bursts into laughter.
Now I am really chuckling. “How do you come up with this stuff?”
She shrugs. “It’s a talent.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah, I have many.”
“I bet you do.” I run my tongue along my teeth, watching her teeth sink into her plump lower lip, leaving me wondering how it would feel to be the one biting down on that.
This wasn’t the plan. But as much as my grumpy ass hates to admit it, she’s flipped my day on its head. I’ve had more fun in the last hour with her than I have in the last month with Casey, and I am starting to wonder why I thought proposing was a goodidea. Noelle is not only stunning, but she’s funny and smart, and with every word that falls from her lips, I want to know her more.
I don’t know when it was, but at some point, Casey and I stopped spending time together, stopped sharing our days; stopped trying. Maybe I thought proposing to her would save us, but being here with Noelle, having carefree fun, has highlighted how much was lacking in my relationship.
“So, what is it that you do? Fashion?” I ask.
“Yes, I studied at FIT in New York.” I give her an impressed nod. FIT is a good school. “My goal is to be a designer, but currently, I do nothing, and I haven't since I graduated this past summer.”
I mentally do the math, wincing a little at the age gap between us. “So, you’re twenty-two.” I grimace.
“Yes, well for another few hours, I’ll be twenty-three Christmas Day.”
Okay, a little better. Only twelve years between us.
“So, what do you plan to do now you’ve graduated?
I applied for an internship, but I didn’t get it.” Her shoulders slump, and she finishes her champagne.
“I’m sorry to hear that. It’s their loss.”
“You don’t know me well enough to make that judgment.” She eyes me.
“True, but I’m a good judge of character and you strike me as the type of woman who knows what she wants and won’t give up until she’s got it.”
Her posture changes and surprise dances in her eyes, as if she’s being seen, really seen for the first time.
“Thank you for saying that.” She says it with such sincerity in her tone that I now feel bad for being such a dick to her on the train, but I guess we're just two people caught up in a bad day and collided when we were maybe not the best versions of ourselves.
“So, what’s your life plan now?” I ask as I signal the waiter to bring us another bottle.
She lets out a long exhale. “Who knows? Wallow for a little while and then find a new internship and apartment, I guess. I just didn’t see this being my life, you know?”
“I hear ya,” I say in agreement as the waiter arrives with a new bottle of champagne in record time and pours us a glass each.
“I might go visit my friend, Annie. She’s studying in California; might fuck a few frat boys. You know, fuck away the heartbreak? The world is my oyster now, right?”
“Or you could fuck me to get over him.” The words slip out, and I clear my throat, mentally preparing my apology, but relief floods my body when she fights back a smile and grins.
“I guess I could.” She winks and I have to stop myself reaching over the table and dragging her into my lap.
She changes the subject. “And what about you? What’s the plan now you’re free and single?”
“Same as you. Focus on my new career and find a new place to live. And of course, fuck away the heartbreak.”
“Good plan.” Noelle raises her glass. “So, if you are starting over with a new career, what was the old one?”
