And for the briefest of moments, I wonder if it was Morgan who called him. Is it her he’s running off to see?
Ugh, Lily. Stop.
Without waiting for him, I bolt into the kitchen and out the door. It’s cold, but I plop down each of the paver steps in my socked feet as I hear the slam of the door behind me. Noah’s heavy boots pick up speed, following. Even though I don’t want to look at him, too embarrassed by my thoughts of jealousy, there’s something comforting about him being behind me, running after me.
The cold air is crisp with the faint smell of woodsmoke from nearby neighbors lighting their woodstoves, and the ground is damp. A cold breeze weaves its way through my hair, and I shiver, the shudder reaching my chilled feet.
The sun wraps through the valleys in the distance while clouds cling to the surrounding trees, and when I make it to Noah’s truck, the glint of it reflects at me off his side-view mirror.
“You took off fast,” Noah says, unlocking his back seat.
“I don’t want to hold you up.”
I reach in for some bags, but Noah closes his hand around my elbow. It’s firm but not rough, and the warmth of his touch shoots straight through my hoodie. I stop and look up at him.
His brow is furrowed, the tip of his nose slightly pink from the bite of the wind, and his gaze is full of worry. He scans my face. “Are you okay with me staying here with Max for a few days? I’m sorry I didn’t think to ask if you were comfortable.”
The way he asks is soft and gentle, but there’s an edge to it, like he’s holding back a myriad of questions.
I nod too quickly, pulling back, but his grip stays and all I can focus on is the way his thumb brushes against my sleeve.
“Would you tell me if you weren’t?”
I don’t know.
“Yes. It’s fine, Noah. It’s Thanksgiving andyourmom’s house. Who am I to tell you otherwise?”
He shakes his head. “You’re important. That’s who you are. I have my own place, it’s just as easy for me to stay there and make the drive over.”
A grin tugs at my lips, unbidden and entirely beyond my control. My gaze flickers to his hand on my elbow, and I lean into him, letting my smile linger. For once, I don’t feel so alone.
The desire to wrap my arms around him wins out over any sanity, and I step into him. I let the weight of this moment guide me. I slip my arms around his middle. It’s hesitant at first, my fingers curling loosely against his back, but then his arms shift, returning the hug. I press in closer to his chest, the rapid beat of his heart beneath my cheek, and he lets out an exhale, pulling me even tighter against him, like I’m something he’s afraid to lose.
My smile spreads across his chest as his hands linger on my back. Here, in his arms, I’m safe. “I want you to stay,” I mutter into him, my warm breath making my nose tingle.
Trailing my hands up the ridges of his shoulder blades, I look up at him. His eyes are trained on my lips, and it’d be too easy to push up on my toes to capture his. Instead, I pull back, my arms following until my fingertips connect with his. He entwines his fingers with mine, thumb brushing deliberate circles over my knuckles.
A buzzing, a dull vibration comes from his pocket. He ignores it, but it cuts through the moment, especially when, as soon as the first call stops, another one comes through.
Then another, and another.
He doesn’t move. Just holds on to my hands tighter.
“You can get that,” I mumble, half pulling my hands free.
He shakes his head but takes one hand and digs his phone out of his pocket. Looking at it, he swallows.
It’s Morgan. It has to be.
Figures.
My lips press into a thin line, and I avoid his gaze, staring past him toward the valley.
He sighs, staring at the screen. “It’s Brent. He’s …wasa good friend. Actually, that story my mom told you about the young boy on the playground by himself. That was him.”
My eyebrows raise. They stayed friends … wow. That’s an impressive feat, and not one many can say they’ve accomplished. So why doesn’t he look happier to hear from him? My mind stalls over the word “was.”
The phone buzzes in his hand again, and his face turns sour. I wish he would just answer it.
