Page 106 of You Fall First

“When you came out of the bathroom earlier …” His voice trails off. “Nah. Forget I said anything. What happens in the ladies’ room stays in the ladies’ room.”

He chuckles. I chuckle.

Then I realize he’s talking about the moment right after Sayla begged me not to tell anyone she’s pregnant. I was stunned and moved. My heels were splattered with puke. And for the first time, I see just how closely Noah’s been paying attention.

How well he already knows me.

“I like us in wedding mode,” he says, taking my hand. He spins me playfully like he did with Dutton, then he rolls me back into his body again. He dips me. Then he dips Dutton.

Meanwhile, as Sinatra croons about loving his lady just the way she looks tonight, other people notice us dancing—people we know. But nobody seems confused or concerned. Everyone’s laughing and clapping along, happy to join in on the fun.

Yes, Noah. I like us in wedding mode, too.

Because the truth is, being in the sunshine of Noah Stadler’s affection makes me genuinely giddy. And thanks to the fundraiser next Saturday, I’ll get to exist in that light a little longer.

I have to go to Havenwood with him, right?

Otherwise Oliver will surely ask where I am, which would only raise suspicions. So as Noah waltzes Dutton and me around the dance floor, I convince myself that maintaining the charade is simply easier.

And I get one more week of this.

Noah and me in wedding mode.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Noah

A loud buzzing wakes me from my dream.

Whoever’s texting at this hour has no idea how dirty they just did me. I’d been dancing with Jo, no Dutton or Oliver in sight, no barriers between us. The moment was beautiful. She was beautiful. I dipped her back, so low her hair almost touched the floor, and all I want is to be back dancing with her now.

Another buzz sounds.

Damn phone.

I’ve kept the thing unmuted since Paige’s surgery, but this can’t be her texting me. She’s safe at Annie’s now, and they’d call if there was an emergency. So I prop myself on an elbow, hair mussed from sleep. Eyes crusty. Breath … we won’t talk about it. My head’s pounding from too little sleep and not enough electrolytes.

No workout today.

Dutton stayed up way too late and only agreed to go to bed after Jo and I both promised, repeatedly, that she’d still be here in the morning. By the time we got him tucked in, we were both completely wiped out, so we fell into our respective beds without saying a word about the kiss.

I told myself we’d talk this morning while Dutton sleeps in. After being up so late, he’ll need extra shut-eye, yeah? That’s how it works. Pretty sure.

Buzz.

With a groan, I check my phone to find three texts from Link. I guess People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive doesn’t care about waking people early. I know the guy’s in town this week. Can’t remember why, though. He told me when he stopped by the office with those tacos, but I was preoccupied that day. Majorly. I’ve been preoccupied for more than a week now.

The Jo Michaels Factor.

Link

Got a movie playing at the Harvest Hollow theater today.

Link

Matinee. 2 PM.

Link