It sounds so . . . domestic.
And honestly, what we’re doingisdomestic. It reminds me of the date night that Lydia Stevens described to me. That same kind of night I longed for.
I don’t want to think about that too much. Ican’t. These last three weeks with Noah have been going so well, and the wedding planning is right on track even with us having just shy of four weeks until the couple saysI do.The last thing I need is to get too happy and let the curse break my spirit like it’s done over and over again.
I scoot off him, giving him a bit of space and givingmyselfa bit of space.
My heart hammers in my chest, and I have to take deep breaths to try to get it under control.
I’m panicking, and I don’t know why I’m panicking.
No, that’s a lie. I do know, but I don’t want to think about it.
I like Noah. Likelikehim, actually. Too damn much.
“You okay?”
“Huh?” I turn to Noah, startled a little. “Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
He looks like he doesn’t believe me, but he lets it go. “Just making sure.” He gives me a gentle, reassuring smile, and it instantly chases away the fear running through me. He nods toward the half-eaten dessert on the coffee table. “You like your cupcakes?”
“Like them? Ilovethem.” I smile up at him as I open the bag of candy. “Thank you. You really didn’t have to get them, but I appreciate it.”
He shrugs. “It’s no big deal.”
“You say that a lot.”
His eyebrows inch together. “Say what?”
“It’s no big deal.You say it a lot, even when itisa big deal. You went out of your way to buy me cupcakes. Took time out of your day and drove into town so I could have something sweet.”
“It’s just a cupcake.”
Maybe to him it is, but to me, it’s more than that. He thought about me. He wanted me to be happy. Hecared.
I’m not sure I’ve ever had anyone care like that before.
I lean up, pressing my lips to his. It’s a slow kiss, a soft one. Even as he slips his hand into my hair and tugs me closer. There’s nothing hurried or hard. We’re just kissing without it needing to lead to more.
When we part, he has a dopey grin that makes him look about ten years younger than he is.
“What was that for?”
I shrug. “Wanted to.”
His grin grows, and so does mine, and we tune back in to the show.
While Noah’s watching it, I’m not. I can’t.
Because I’m starting to realize that this thing between us? It might not be so casual after all.
Chapter Seventeen
Noah
Odie:garlic? not nuff
Me:I’m assuming that’s you asking me to bring some garlic with me because you don’t have enough?
