“What?” He frowned, his gaze moving over my mouth and down my body, likely looking to see if I was in pain. “What happened?”
“I’m a little chicken.”
His frown deepened as he tilted his head, the gesture looking so much like my puppy dog I almost petted his head. “Not sure I’m following, Em.”
I slapped my knee, laughed, and stared out onto Lake Michigan. “You’re so right. Man.”
“Again, I usually love hearing those words, but could you clarify for me?”
I faced him, my smile real as the familiar warmth of being around Noah comforted me. There truly was no one else like him in the world. Such a massive, strong human who had the kindest, most wonderful soul. “I havenothingto lose. I’ve been so scared of what others think or being laughed at or embarrassed. But why? What is the worst that could happen?”
“Ah, so someone once told me to never think those thoughtsand instead flip them. What is thebestthing that could happen? You get a deal. You work for an organization. You design a line and see your clothes everywhere.” He wiggled his eyebrows and leaned his elbows onto his knees, putting his face a few inches from mine. He was so close that my stomach full-on swooped. Full nosedive. Heat rushed my face as my cheeks blazed with a blush, but he didn’t comment on it.
“God, that’s motivational as shit.” I fanned my face, focusing on the crowd below andnoton the way he stared at me, like he saw through me completely and liked it. He distracted me from my own fear. “I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna pitch myself.”
“Atta girl.”
The praise from those two words caused an unnecessary inferno in my gut. I never considered myself to have a praise kink, but coming from his deep voice…woof. I chewed the inside of my cheek, imagining a lot of what-ifs about Noah from all those years being friends in college. Was there… more there? Was I making this up? I cleared my throat, pushing those thoughts away as my mind lit up with the challenge that I could do this.
“Okay, coach,” I said, trying not to show how much I liked the way he approved of me. “I’ll do it. Tonight.”
His mouth tipped up. “Good.”
I blew out a breath and nudged his knee with mine. “What’s your dare then? I’m not letting you assign me this homework without taking some too.”
He shifted so I could see his face. The city light hit his eyes and turned them almost black. “Mine is a bit harder.”
“Oh, no, no, no, Abbott.” I poked his firm chest. “You talked me into getting over my fear, and I’m not quite as talented as you, but I can push you to do something too. So your dare is hard. We’re the adventure buddies! We can do anything!”
He stared at me with a crooked smile, eyes shining like hethought I was the funniest thing. The same rush of warmth flooded my veins at the way he grinned at me. He smiled like he actually enjoyed being around me, and it was so refreshing. “C-come on, Noah.”
“Oh, your cute stutter.” His grin grew, the joy reflecting back at me even more tangible. “Fuck, I missed your cute little quirks.”
“Ugh.” I covered my face with my hands. “I’m not even nervous. I don’t know why I stuttered!” It was a horrible trait of mine. When I got too excited or nervous, my words and tongue and brain didn’t align, and the stutter would sneak out. It had been a while since it happened, and of course, it would happen in front of Noah. “This is turning out to be a very stressful Ferris wheel ride for me.”
“Hey, you can be nervous, sad, happy, scared, all of it. I’m just glad you’re with me.”
“Damnit, Noah. You are being way too sweet and wonderful right now. Not helping with my whole stutter and fear of heights thing.” I peeked at him between my fingers and met his continued grin. “Stop smiling at me so much!”
“Oh, sure.” He frowned, furrowed his dark brows way too much, and scowled. “Is this better for you?”
I couldn’t stop the snort from escaping. He looked so ridiculous and charming. I chuckled loudly. “You are still the same guy from college. Glad the NFL hasn’t ruined your goofy sense of humor.”
He ran a hand over his jaw as the wheel neared the end of the ride. “Well, I’ll be honest with you. Not everyone gets this version of me. A few of the guys on the team have become great friends, but don’t think I’m this way with everyone.”
I nodded, totally getting what he meant. I wasn’t myself with many people either. “The ride is almost over, and you haven’t shared your dare, dude. I will get it out of you.”
“Yeah, you gonna tackle it out of me? Dare you to try.”
“Noah Abbott.” I swatted his arm, blushing and grinning at his blatant flirting. “Knock it off.”
He chuckled, slinging his arm around my shoulders and relaxing into the chair as he played with the ends of my hair. “Alright, being serious now. My dare is to tell the truth and stop playing it safe.”
“Oh, that sounds serious. About anything in particular?”
“You,” he said simply.
I forgot about heights. I forgot about air. Everything inside me went loud and soft at once.
