There’s a certain feeling that comes when you’re heading toward something that will change your life forever. You don’t know exactly how it’ll play out—only that when it’s done, nothing will ever be the same.
These last ten minutes in this car, I’ve been quietly saying goodbye to the life I thought I knew. The life that I had dealt for me, planned out and celebrated since I was born. Everything was set, until it wasn’t.
What’s to come on the other side of that? I’m not sure. But, I know if Noah is there, it can’t be bad. I’ll be safe. I’ll be happy. I know that much.
“Hey, you doing okay?” Noah nudges my thigh with our linked hands. I glance over at him and immediately feel a warmth spread over my chest. It’s those damn eyes of his. I don’t even know if he knows what power they have.
I smile at him. “I’m just thinking…about how happy I am that you’re here. With me.”
Noah nods his head. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
I let that sit in my chest and allow it to give me the courage I need.
We turn into the driveway and I slowly park the truck, stealing the last moment of peace before we head inside.
“You know why I fell for you?” Noah asks, breaking my attention away from the house.
“Because I’m devastatingly handsome?” I tease, leaning my head back on the head rest.
Noah’s lips quirk up, shaking his head. “Okay, the second reason?”
I nod, to urge him to continue.
“It was when you first pushed me in the water that summer. Up to that point I just wanted to mess with you. But…when you pushed me. When you finally let yourselfbe—yourself—I couldn’t think of anyone else I’ve ever met who had the courage to do that. To let their mask down and just be real. Be truthful. It was…” Noah shakes his head, like the memory alone is making him awestruck all over again. “Mesmerizing.”
I lick my lips, feeling a rush of power flow through me. He really saw me like that?
In a moment that made me feel so vulnerable and scared.Thatwas the moment he fell for me?
I pull our clasped hands up to my lips, not caring of any overseers and give him a kiss on the back of his hand.
“I knew I was in trouble the moment you helped me set up the damn tent.” I shake my head.
This makes Noah burst out in laughter. I chuckle alongside him.
“What the hell? That’s so random. And it was right when we got there.”
I shrug. “You were someanin the truck ride there. So standoffish. I had no idea how I was going to get through to you. But then…you just…helped me.And that’s when I knew there was so much more to you than a pretty face and a snarky mouth.” I wink.
He rolls his eyes. “Only you, Brad.”
Wetake a beat, laughing at how ridiculous this trip down memory lane is. But, it was exactly what I needed at this moment to calm down the nerves.
He knew it. He knows me.
I give him one last squeeze before I call it. “You ready to do this?”
He looks at me and nods his head. “It’s me and you.”
“Me and you,” I repeat softly before unbuckling my seatbelt.
***
I walk into the house, catching a whiff of some sort of sugary pastry.
I round the corner to the kitchen and see Paislee in her high chair, smearing mashed food across the tray.
My eyes follow the sounds of frantic movements and see Veronica taking out a tray of freshly baked cupcakes, placing it on a cooling rack on the counter. Her apron around her neck is covered in flour and I spot some on her forehead.
