And I glow. Actually glow.
“Noah?” I whisper.
Fingers continue moving over my arm. “Yeah, baby?”
I swallow roughly, suddenly nervous about asking. “You’re happy, right? In Willowrun? I know it’s a small, quiet life but…” I trail off, almost afraid of the answer.
Large fingers find my chin, bringing my gaze back to the blue I love so much.
“I am so fucking happy. This is exactly where I want to be, you are exactly who I want to be with. Me and you… we’re—” He cuts off with a small laugh, shaking his head. “It was always going to be us, Gabe. Always.”
I smile so big my cheeks ache as his finger finds my face, dipping lightly into the tiny dimple there. “My dimple,” he whispers before his lips find mine. By the time the credits roll, Idon’t feel drained or tense. I feel light. Walking out with Noah’s hand in mine, I realize something quietly monumental.
I didn’t just survive a night out.
I enjoyed it.
With my boyfriend.
Out in the world.
And I want to do it again.
I want to do everything with Noah.
52
NOAH
“How are your legs?” Gabe asks as we stand in line for Micah’s coffee kiosk. He seems a little jittery, eyes darting around, but overall, he’s doing well considering the amount of people standing close and chattering away.
We’ve just finished our first run since the lake. We didn’t go anywhere near it, which I’m glad about. I don’t know if I’m ready to go there again. He didn’t mention going, but I saw him eyeing the roads leading to it as we passed.
I step closer to him and wrap my arms around him from behind. I step up on my toes, resting my chin on his shoulder.
“All good, baby. Don’t worry about me.”
They’re fucking killing me. Some things never change, but I’ll take the horrendous shin splints for the rest of my life once Gabe is by my side.
“Next,” someone calls from the kiosk. I’ve actually never come before, but the last thing I expected was this man I don’t know eyeing Gabe,my Gabe, with obvious interest.
He’s about my height and looks lean. Dark hair in a tidy undercut. A neat, short beard frames his mouth. Warm oliveskin, amber-brown eyes that slide over Gabe. His sleeves are rolled, forearms inked with fine linework. I decide I’ve already seen enough to know I don’t like this fucker.
I tighten my arms around Gabe on instinct, and his hands come up to my forearms.
“Gabriel Shaw,” the man croons.
Gabe laughs. “Hi, Micah.”
“Multiple visits in the last few weeks, lucky me,” Micah flirts. What a stupid fucking name. Can’t this idiot see I’m right here?
Gabe looks at me over his shoulder, his lips pressed together to keep from laughing when he sees whatever look is on my face.
“Micah, this is my boyfriend, Noah.” He gives me a peck on the lips, and I relax. Just a little, though.
Micah lets out an overly dramatic sigh before replying, “Of course it is.”
When he looks back at us, he's smiling warmly. “What can I get you lovebirds?”
