Connor chuckles. “Fuck, you two are going to give me gray hair, aren’t you?”
“Don’t look at me, I think she’ll be doing that all on her own.”
A few minutes later the girls exit the bathroom, but instead of coming back to the booth, they head out to the dance floor and Audrey is sporting a very determined expression.
What are you up to?
Audrey closes her eyes, throwing her hands up in the air in a carefree manner and drawing the eyes of a few men nearby.
When someone taps her shoulder, she opens her eyes and smiles at them, but I don’t miss the way her eyes dart towards me momentarily. Neither does Connor.
It’s like she’s hoping I jump across the bar and claim her like a caveman, but she knows me better than that. She’s panicking and I have to let her.
“Man, is she testing the waters right now? I love my sister, but goddammit, don’t punch some guy out for looking at her the wrong way.”
I take a sip of my beer, completely unphased. “I won’t, you punched the only guy that I want to. I’ll let her have her moment.”
The man slips his arms around her waist and she moves in sync with the music, while he moves as if he’s in a much more intimate setting.
Maybe her having a few one-night stands or other relationships is what she needs. She’s only ever been with Paul, so I don’t want her to jump from him to me as a rebound. Not unless she’s certain.
Because once she's mine, there’s no way I’m letting go.
I know in my heart that I won’t be a rebound for her, but I want her to figure things out on her own. From the look on her face, I can tell she’s not connecting withwhatshisface. She locks eyes with me, then frowns as she steps away from him. The frown doesn't fade until she reaches me.
Her hands fall onto her hips and I take a sip of my beer, trying to disguise the smirk on my face. I haven’t seen her this riled up since someone started a rumor that I kissed another girl under the bleachers when I was in grade eleven. “You good?”
Connor gets up from beside me. “I’ll let you two talk. I don’t need another drunk ‘miscommunication mishap’ on my hands, I’m out.”
“Am. I.Good?” she huffs out.
“Yes, that was the question.” Her reaction is highly amusing, and now I’m really turned on.
“What about this is funny? None of it feels funny to me.” She throws her hands up in frustration, moving towards me. When she’s close enough, I gently pull her onto the leather couch beside me.
I lean into her, near enough to smell her floral perfume and the wine on her breath. It’s intoxicating. “Allof it, Auddie.”
She shifts so her face is inches from mine, her warm breath tickling my lips, as if she’s hoping I’ll kiss her. “Wh-why?”
“Because … you were trying to make me jealous. But here’s the thing, I can’t be jealous of any man in this club. Do you want to know why?”
Her eyes widen and her lips part slightly.
Fuck, I want to kiss her so much.
Focus, Noah.
I work up the courage to place my hand on her bare knee, trying to stay composed as fireworks surge through my skin.
“Because you didn’t wear any of their numbers today, you’re not going to sleep intheirbed tonight, and none of them have ever watchedA Walk to Rememberwith you.” I brush my finger across her cheek. “Have your fun, be single for a bit. Have the time of your life. If that’s what you want or need. But you know I’ll be here waiting on the other side—all the while getting reacquainted with all my favorite parts of you.” My finger grazes her scarlet-colored lips. “And learning some new ones.”
There’s a stunned expression on her face, as if she’s trying to make sense of my words.
“Auddie, it’s on your time, your terms … I won’t force this. I won’t rush it. But I’m here. I’m choosing you.”
The couch is uncomfortable, but I don’t care. Knowing that tomorrow night I’ll fall asleep in the bed where she currently lays is good enough for me. After our conversation, she stuck by Selena and Fiona most of the night, seeming to avoid me as much as possible. I’m not sure if I scared her away.
The sound of a door opening startles me and I squint to read the time on the stove, 3:47 a.m. Gentle footsteps move down the hallway towards the kitchen, so I close my eyes expecting a light to turn on. Instead, the sound of Audrey sighing and the creaking of the coffee table fills the space.
