19
Ember
How can hurtdisappear in an instant? My relief at seeing Noah, the end of his absence, tossed my old, wounded feelings out the window and right onto the concrete sidewalk.
I’m still in his arms. My heartbeats haven't yet slowed to a normal pace. He looks like my Noah, but different too. Baby fat has melted from his face. His shoulders,the ones I’m currently clinging to,are wider. Beneath his thin cotton shirt I can feel the hardness of his body.
Tempting as it was, I’ve made it a point not to look him up. He’s the reason for mytwo glasses of wine maximum, rule. Anything more than that, and down the rabbit hole I’ll go.
A throat clears. Noah and I both turn to the sound.
Dayton stands in the open door, eyes wide.
Unhooking my legs from Noah’s waist, I slide down his body. My eyes meet his and my cheeks catch fire. He grins when he sees the pink. Damn my traitorous fair skin.
The door softly falls into the frame as Dayton walks closer. He’s squinting, eyes critically appraising Noah. I know Dayton knows who this is, but he’s trying to make Noah sweat. There’s no one else whose arms I would jump into. I may have downplayed our relationship the first time I met Dayton, but since then I’ve bared my soul to him. There’s nothing Dayton doesn’t know.
“Who are you?” Dayton can make his voice very deep when he wants to.
Noah’s hand extends. “An old friend.” If Dayton’s voice was soprano, Noah’s voice is baritone. He says the wordfriendlike it’s a challenge.I challenge you to matter more to her than me.Noah thinks Dayton is my boyfriend, and he’s being cocky.
And I really, really like it. But I'm not going to allow this pissing contest to continue.
“Dayton,” I say, crossing to stand beside him, “is my best friend. He’s also very gay.”
He huffs. “Just gay, Ember. There is noverygay. You’re either gay or you aren’t.”
I laugh. “Dayton, this is Noah Sutton.”
“I knew that already.” Dayton takes the hand Noah has re-extended. “Why are you back?” Dayton’s voice is back to normal, but he’s still defending me and being possessive.
“My brother is marrying Alyssa tomorrow,” Noah answers, facing me.
“Aw,” I say. “College sweethearts.”
Noah stuffs his hands in the pockets of his jeans, glancing at Dayton. I do too.
“Well,” Dayton says, getting the hint. “I have to run something by Whitley. Excuse me.” He sidesteps Noah and hurries behind the tall, white counter.
I forgot about Whitley. She watched the entire exchange, the one that happened before Dayton arrived. The one where I forgot myself, and catapulted into Noah’s arms, and then stayed there. For a really long time.
“So…” Noah starts.
“What do you want?” I blurt out.
He shrugs, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “I don’t know.”
“Why are you here?”
“I don’t know.”
I’m out of questions. The ones I’m willing to ask, anyway.
“Can I see you tonight?” Noah’s eyes burn with hope.
I don’t respond, becauseI don’t knoweither.
“After the rehearsal dinner, I’m taking my brother out for a drink. Will you meet me? He’ll only stay for one. Then we can talk.”
