Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
“You never have to be embarrassed about anything in front of me,” I ensure him. “Ever. No matter what. I thought you knew that?”
“I did,” he confirms. “But it didn’t matter because I was ashamed and mortified. Though I’m in love with you, I knew I’d never deserve you, and I thought if I pushed you away enough, you’d move on and find true happiness. I’d hoped anyway. I thought when I did get out, you would’ve gotten remarried and moved on, making the temptation to kiss you disappear.”
My heart nearly bursts out of my chest, and I blink hard as I repeat his words in my head. “Did you just admit that you’re in love with me?”
He tilts his head and furrows his brows. “Yeah, I-I thought I made that pretty clear when we kissed.”
I hold up my hand and shake my head. “No, no. You said you had a crush on me and were in love with me. As in, past tense.”
The corner of his lips tilts up slowly. “I’ve been in love with you, Katie Walker, since I was fifteen years old, maybe even younger. That’s never changed and never will. I tried for years to forget those feelings, but it was useless. My heart can’t not be in love with you.”
I blink to keep tears from falling, but they roll down my cheeks anyway. The ache in my chest feels like it’ll combust at any moment.
“I really want to kiss you right now…” I whisper. “But I’m so conflicted,” I choke out, hating that I’m crying in front of him. Doing what my heart says shouldn’t be this complicated, but it always has been when it comes to Noah.
Noah kneels next to me, and I turn slightly while wiping my cheeks.
“I know exactly how you feel, Katie. There’s absolutely no pressure, and I don’t expect anything from you. As long as I have your friendship, I’ll die a happy man.”
I chuckle softly as I stare into his deep brown eyes. “You have nothing to worry about. It’s exhausting trying to stay mad at you, and I don’t want to harbor that anger anymore.”
Noah smirks at me as if I’ve just hung the moon, and my cheeks heat. “What?” I ask.
“Only took…five and a half weeks.” He winks, and it’s then I realize what he’s implying.
“Oh my gosh.” I laugh, then playfully push his arm. “Was this an evil plan to get me to admit I’m no longer mad at you? Is there even someone after you?” I tease.
He snorts, then stands and kisses my forehead. Butterflies surface in my stomach as a shiver slides down my spine.
“Yes, unfortunately, but at least one good thing’s come of it.”
He sits in his chair, and I suddenly miss his closeness. These conflicting feelings are tearing me up inside.
“Well, whoever they are won’t win against us. Not this time anyway,” I reassure him. “I’m glad we’re starting fresh.”
“Me too. It’s a new beginning, and I’m ready.”
We finish eating, and as we’re cleaning up, I mention something weighing on my mind. “Do you remember how we used to pass notes to each other in middle and high school?” I ask.
He chuckles smoothly. “How could I forget? Those got me into trouble just a couple of times.”
I laugh and nod. “Me too. I actually found a box of our old notes a few weeks ago.”
“Really? That’s funny, I was looking through some of my old yearbooks. Should’ve known you wanted me by how you signed it.”
“What’d I write?”
Noah’s eyes gaze down my body as we stand next to each other in the kitchen. I do the same to him, except I’m imagining what’s underneath his clothes.
“You put, ‘Your Girl for life’ and then ‘ha-ha’ in parentheses.”
My eyes widen, and I smack my forehead. “Oh my God, that’s embarrassing.”
“Are you kiddin’? I cherished it. Might’ve jerked off to the fantasy of you whispering that in my ear.”
“Noah!” I swat his chest. “You were too young for that.”
He barks out a laugh. “You can’t be serious. I was sixteen. I’d been doing it for years at that point, mostly to images of you.”
“Stop, oh my God.” Now I know my face is beet red.
He smirks, grabbing a paper towel and spraying some cleaner on it before going to the table. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Owen is taking extra long showers.”
I release a groan and inhale a deep breath. Owen having a father would come in handy right about now. He needs a man to talk about this kind of stuff with. I don’t even know what I’d say. Is it time for the birds and the bees talk?
“Katie, I can see the dials spinning in your head.” Noah moves in front of me as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “Owen only has a few years before he’s a full-blown teenager. Do you remember all the trouble we got into at thirteen and fourteen years old?”