I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“Yeah, right! If anything, he’s probably sizing me up to figure out how to take me down.”
“Oh, take you down in bed,”
Lilly shot back, and I snapped my gaze toward her, a chuckle escaping my lips. She always had a knack for lifting my spirits.
Looking at my friends, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
“Alright, enough with the sappy stuff. You’re putting on this dress, and Mare is going to work her magic with your hair and makeup. We’ll make you even more stunning than you already are,”
Lilly declared, and Mare nodded in enthusiastic agreement.
“When we’re done, he won’t be able to keep his hands off you.”
I turned to the mirror, watching as they began their transformation. Maybe they were right. Maybe I could do this. I glanced at the dress again, a smirk creeping onto my face.
Tonight, I’d have Noah on his knees—that much was certain.
Noah
I leaned against my bike, hands tucked into the pockets of my jacket, trying to keep them from fidgeting. I wasn't nervous—at least that's what I keep telling myself—but tonight felt different. It felt important.
The porch light flickered on, spilling a warm glow over the front steps of Elizabeth's house. My breath caught in my throat before I even realized she was standing there.
Then the door swung open, and suddenly, nothing else mattered. Liz stepped outside slowly, as if the night itself was making way for her. Her dress sparkled in theamber light, a rich forest green that hugged her curves and flowed like liquid silk with every graceful step. The color echoed the essence of pine and rain—both quiet and wild. Her hair tumbled softly over her shoulders, and she wasn't wearing any armor, no weapon, nor that practiced smirk she often put on to mask her feelings.
She was simply herself.
And she was absolutely breathtaking.
I felt the air shift in my lungs. I mean I had seen her on missions, bloodied and fierce, racing through fire and shadows—but nothing could have prepared me for this. For her, standing there like a dream I wasn't sure I deserved.
When she looked up and caught me staring, a soft smile danced on her lips.
“Well?” she teased; her tone playful. “Are you going to say something, or just keep staring like I’ve sprouted wings?”
I blinked, pushed myself off my bike, and walked toward her slowly, running a hand through my hair.
“You did,” I murmured, stopping just close enough to feel her warmth. “Or at least, it feels like you did.”
Her eyes widened slightly, that confident edge slipping just enough to reveal something softer underneath.
“I mean…” I cleared my throat. “You look… incredible.”
She laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“You clean up pretty nicely yourself.”
I smiled, slow and genuine.
“You ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
I helped her onto my bike, catching one last glimpse of silk and moonlight as she gracefully hopped on. As I fastened my helmet, I could feel it in my bones—something had shifted.
This wasn’t just a date.
