I look behind me to raise an eyebrow at him, but he chuckles against me, and it sends shivers down my spine.
“This isn’t a casual hookup,” Noah says, and my breath catches, but I try to still my body and not react. “I’ve had those, but they don’t usually end in sleepovers, and if they did, I definitely wouldn’t try to stop them from leaving.” He wraps his arms tighter around me, as if to prove his point.
“Then what…” I bite my bottom lip to keep myself from being that girl, who asks what we are when he’s already clearly defined it.
“I like you, Savannah. I think we’re friends. I also really like kissing you. And…other things. So I’m good with the friends with benefits idea, if you’re still okay with it.”
“What does that even—” I turn to face him, but he gently places a finger on my lips.
“Do you like hanging out with me?” He moves his fingers to play in my hair while he searches my face for an answer.
“Yes,” I admit, hoping to downplay just how very much.
“And how do you feel about what we did last night?”
He almost looks nervous. It was the best sex of my life, which isn’t saying much, given my track record, but it was also maybe the best night of my life, and I’ve had lots of those.
“Yes,” I say, though it wasn’t a yes or no question.
“I would like both of those things to continue. How about you?”
“Of course, but…” I’m sure I’m blushing, probably red as a tomato. “I don’t know what that looks like.”
“In general, it means we keep going like we have been, as friends, but you can have my body however and whenever you want.” He smiles as he pulls me in for a kiss. “This morning, I’m hoping it looks like you coming to the arena so I can continue your skating lessons and introduce you to the team.”
“Your teammates? How drunk were you last night?”
“Izzie’s teammates,” he corrects me. “So you can learn it all at a slower pace.”
“You want me to take a class with eight-year-olds?”
“It’s the six to ten age group, and you definitely can, if you want, but the rink is free for a few hours before open skate, so I thought you could watch, maybe listen to my excellent coaching while writing, then put it into practice when I can keep a better eye on you.”
I’m stunned. This is the sweetest gesture, because I write better in the stands, especially when something is going on, and he’s letting me intrude on his sibling time, basically his entire day, and I don’t know why.
“Do you need me to watch Izzie on Christmas or something?”
Noah laughs. “I wouldn’t put it past her to pretend something is going on so she can hang out with you, but no, not that I’m aware of. She has been asking when you can see her skate though, and I’m going for brother of the year.”
“Is Tatum giving you a run for your money?”
“He’s pretty cute.” Noah shrugs.
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Savannah
Same, Girl
I get very little written during Izzie’s practice. They do drills for about forty minutes, during which I watch Noah interact with a bunch of kids who idolize him, treating every one of them, including an older boy who looks as though the six-year-olds could eat him for breakfast, like they’re a valued member of the team. There’s one girl other than Izzie, who spends most of her time staring at Noah, then looking away, or asking him for tips on things she had down pat before he skated over, and I’m like, ‘same, girl’, but Noah is oblivious.
The end of practice is a scrimmage, where they’re split into two teams and face each other, so I cheer Izzie on like it’s the Stanley Cup Finals, and her smile could melt the whole rink.
“You came!” Izzie barrels for me once it’s done, slowed down by being in skates on the rubber floor.
“Of course. You were amazing out there. NHL written all over you.”
