Page 65 of The Bad Boyfriend Curse
The video starts with Noah sitting cross-legged on the bandstand playing the intro to the song on his guitar, except there’s a quiet piano in the background. After he sings the first line, a video with Keeley in front of her electric piano slides in from the bottom so that his video is over hers, and her piano gets louder. When he’s singing the chorus, that moody refrain of “I want to be more, to be magic like you,more like the stars, more magic like you,” Keeley sings the same words after him about half a second later. I don’t know a thing about music composition, but I know that this sounds freaking amazing. The song was already a little sad, but now with Noah’s soulful voice and Keeley in the background, it’s absolutelyhaunting. It sounds more layered, more complete. It’s still clearly Noah’s song, but it sounds so much better with someone supporting him.
I have no idea if Noah will approve of this. Keeley has thousands and thousands of followers—mostly other musicians. She hasn’t tagged Noah, but this is still him. His expression right now is unreadable. Just completely blank.
“Keeley says there are three thousand likes. Lots of comments, too,” I say. “Do you want to read them?”
He nods, still staring at the screen as the song starts from the beginning again. I open the comments so we can read them together.
There’s a lot ofThis is gorgeousorAmazing arrangement, but even moreWho is this guy?, This song is amazing, andPlease link to his account!Lots and lots of people love his song, and his voice. Also, I notice that several of them are calling him a hottie, and saying too bad he’s not single. Selfishly, that makes me puff up with pride, but now’s really not the time for that.
I can’t read Noah’s expression. I’m still not sure if he’s happy about this attention. “Is it… I mean, you don’t mind that I sent her the video, do you? Your music is so important to you, and you sounded so down about your future. I thought you might need a… confidence boost.”
He finally smiles, chuckling, and I feel my whole body relax at the sound. “No. Not mad. Is she… I mean, does she actually like the song, or was she just being… nice?”
I laugh. “When it comes to music, Keeley is very rarely nice. She said you were amazing when I sent it to her. And she knows her stuff.”
He nods, then exhales. “I…” He laughs nervously again. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard one of my songs sound that good.”
“So, you’re not mad?”
He blinks before giving me a reassuring smile. “No. A little overwhelmed, but not mad. I… think I need to process all these comments a bit, but seriously, thank you.”
I grin. “I wanted everyone to see you like I do. You’re amazing.”
He nods, then puts the phone on the table. “I need to make sure it doesn’t go to my head. One question: Did you tell your friend that I’m yourboyfriend?”
Crap. We haven’t exactly made that part official yet. We’re supposed to beseeing where this could go. But I already know where it’s gone. I know that I’m head over heels, stupidly in love with Noah Jacobs. But I’m not going to say it yet, because I don’t know if he feels the same way. “Um… no… I mean, not really, but—”
His smile widens into that incandescent flirty expression that he first gave me the day we met. It still has the ability to make my knees go completely weak. “I was wondering how to ask you if we could make this official—but look at efficient, organized Meera, already taking care of the problem.”
I smile. “So, we’re…”
He puts his hand on my cheek. “Exclusive. Boyfriend-girlfriend.” He kisses me briefly. “I didn’t think it was possible so soon… When I’m with you, I feel like I’m the person I want to be. Who I’m supposed to be. I’m so, so in love with you, Meera Noorani.”
I blink, tears forming in my eyes. I’ve never felt this way before. I’ve never wanted to say these words to anyone before, but with Noah, it all feels so natural. “I love you too, Noah Jacobs.”
We kiss, and it’s good. So, so good. All I feel around me is Noah. I have a sweet, incredibly talented, adorable boyfriend wholoves me. He’s truly the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
We end up lying down on the sofa kissing like that for a long time. His hand is on my bare skin under my shirt, and it feels so good that I want to cry even more. I pull him even closer. He lifts his lips from mine, smiling. And he looks so good from here. He’s such a beautiful person.
“This okay, Meera?” he asks. “Just tell me if you want me to stop.” His eyes are focused on mine. Maybe I should be scared—because I know I’ve never felt anything near as intense as this. And maybe I should be cautious because the damn curse says this will all blow up in my face.
But I don’t believe in the curse anymore. I believe in Noah. Something that feels this right can’t possibly be wrong. “It’s okay. Better than okay. I can’t… I can’t get enough of you.”
He smiles warmly, then lowers his mouth back to mine. I feel cared for, protected, safe, and I feel loved right now.
A loud noise from the entryway startles us both. Noah and I break apart, then turn our heads toward the noise, and my jaw drops.
“Meera Parveen Noorani, get up off that sofa! Now!” my mother’s voice bellows a second later.
Crap. Here comes the curse.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURThe Return of the Curse
Noah and I scramble to a sitting position to see my mother and Jason in Jason’s parents’ living room with us. And they don’t look happy.
I bite my lip. “Um, hi, Mom,” I say.
We probably have swollen lips, and I’m pretty sure my bra is undone, but I’m not about to check now. Mom and Jason look furious. Actually, Mom looks furious. Jason’s harder to read.
