“Some things do, but not much,” Noah said, meeting my eyes.Even with that long-lost look in them, they were still gorgeous.It was all I could do to tear mine away from his.
“It’s late.I have to be up early to go over the sales from the trees today.”
“Yeah, gosh, I should get going.About the car?—”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll get out to town later tomorrow and get it looked after.”
“You’re sure?I can always meet you and take a look at it.”
“I’m sure.No worries.Have a good night.”
“So you know, I had a fantastic time tonight,” he whispered, placing his hand on the small of my back.
“So did I.It was like old times.”
Noah stepped out the front door and turned to look at me.As our eyes met, it felt as if everything fell away.We stood there, staring into one another’s eyes, and slowly we moved toward one another until our lips touched.It felt like I’d been holding my breath forever, but when his lips finally met mine, my soul quieted.The upset, the pain, the wondering all finally quieted as he kissed me.
The moment our lips parted, the silence went away and things got loud again.He looked at me, and I at him.I knew full well what that kiss meant, and in those moments, I felt the walls I’d built up come crashing down.No one had kissed me that way but him.My heart still belonged to him, which made me question if it hadn’t always.
“Good night,” I whispered.
“Night.”
I watched him walk down my front porch steps and climb into his truck.Once he drove away, I went back inside and shut the door.
Noah
“I can’t thank you enough for coming by,” I said to Zach as he approached carrying a set of spark plugs and oil.
“Ah not a problem, gets me out of hanging garland.”He laughed.
“At this rate, Iris is going to kill me when she sees me.I’ve come to town and am taking you away from doing all the things she needs done.”I chuckled, taking the spark plugs from the bag.
“Nah, she’ll just make you help me.Does Mindi know you’re here working on the car?”
“No, when I got back home last night from dropping her off, I found her car key on the floor of my truck.It must have fallen off her keychain when she pulled her house keys from her purse.She had a lot to do out at the house and told me she couldn’t get here until later today, so I figured I’d just come on down and see if I could fix it.”
“You’re sure it’s the plugs?”
I couldn’t help but laugh.“Oh, it’s the plugs.They look like they haven’t been changed since I left for deployment ten years ago.”
“Oh man, all right then, let’s get to it.”
We got to work right away, and within an hour, Mindi’s car was sitting in the lot running.I glanced down at my watch, surprised it was only a little past nine.
“I’ll give you a lift back to the house before I take the car out to Mindi.That way you can help Iris with the garland.”
“Actually, perhaps I’ll follow you out.Iris also wanted me to get the trees today anyway, and by the time we get out there, the stand should be open.”
“Here, take my truck.That way, you can give me a lift back into town,” I said, throwing him the keys.
“Sounds good to me,” Zach said, catching them.
I was surprised to see that Mindi’s small parking lot in front of her home was full when we arrived, and people were buzzing around, grabbing their trees.Zach and I parked, and while I made my way to the front door, Zach headed over to the lot.
“Noah!”Sarah exclaimed when she opened the door.
“Hey, Sarah!Is Mindi here?”
