Page 64 of Let Me Show You

As I drive to Noah’s, I think about what they did all day. Owen packed enough things to keep them busy until next week. My thoughts drift to my conversation with Everleigh and Gemma and giving Noah a chance. If following my heart was as easy as they made it sound, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.

Once I get to Noah’s and knock on the door, I hear them laughing. It warms my heart, and when Owen lets me in, I see his messy hair and chocolate-filled face.

“Back already?” Noah asks, sitting at the kitchen table.

“Are y’all having fun?” I ask, noticing they’re playing Jenga.

“I’m fixin’ to whoop him,” Owen gloats, plopping back down at the table, then pulls out a log. The stack sways, but it doesn’t fall. Noah moans and pulls one out, causing them to scatter across the table.

Owen stands up with his arms in the air in victory. “Woohoo!”

Noah laughs. “Good game, bud. Beat me fair and square.”

I help them clean everything and stack the blocks back in the box. “Get your stuff together, please.”

Owen groans, but it only takes one look for him to do what I say. As he’s stuffing things into his backpack, he tells me about everything they did today.

“You must be tired.” I turn to Noah with a small smile.

“Exhausted.” He chuckles. “But we had tons of fun.”

“Yeah! Can we do it again sometime?” Owen asks.

“We’ll see,” I say, then turn to Noah. “Thank you again.”

“Anytime. It was no trouble at all,” he says. “He’s a good kid.”

Once Owen zips his backpack, we say our goodbyes and make our way outside. Noah stops me as Owen climbs in the back of the car.

“Hey,” he says, leaning against the doorframe.

“Yeah?”

“Do you have any plans for your birthday next weekend?”

I tilt my head, almost shocked he remembered. “Not exactly. Working on the house, I guess?”

The sexy smirk that touches his lips has my heart fluttering. “I’d like to do something special for you. I mean, if you’d like.”

This is my opportunity to give him a chance, and I’ll be damned if I pass it up. “Sure. I’d love that.”

“You can bring Owen if you’d like or…”

“I’ll get my mom to watch him. It won’t be a problem, especially since she was pissed she didn’t get him all day today.”

There’s a sparkle in his eye. “Great, don’t eat beforehand. I wanna cook you dinner.”

“I’d like that a lot,” I admit as a blush hits my cheek, and I don’t know why I’m suddenly nervous.

“I’ll grab your favorites. Steak and potatoes.” He winks.

“It’s a date then,” I say, the word feeling foreign on my tongue.

I take one last glance at him before I go to the car. As I reverse onto the street, I notice he’s watching me. I give him a quick wave before driving away.

I’m happy Owen fills the space by telling me about all the games they played, movies they watched, and snacks they ate because my mind is reeling on the way home. I can’t remember the last time I celebrated my birthday or had anyone make a big deal out of it. Sure, Gemma and Everleigh, plus my parents try to do something special, but it’s never been a special date.

I’m floating on cloud nine as we walk inside the house. Owen gives me a hug. “Thank you for letting me hang out with Noah.”