Page 133 of You Fall First

“Shhh!” I whisper-hiss. Then I dart a glance at Jo, even as heat creeps up my throat.

“No one’s listening,” Paige laughs. “Come on, Noah.”

“All right,” I hedge, through a clenched-toothed smile. “I won’t deny what you’re seeing, but if you think I’m gonna do a deep dive into my feelings with you before I discuss them with her …”

“Hold on.” Her eyes narrow. “You and Jo haven’t talked about this yet?”

I flinch. “Not exactly.”

“Dude.”

“This is all pretty new.” I shift my weight. “Things are complicated, and the timing hasn’t been … great.”

A shadow flickers behind her eyes. “Because of Dutton and me?”

I open my mouth to assure Paige that our situation has nothing to do with them, but that would be a lie.

And I’m done pretending.

“Listen.” I arch a brow. “If you hadn’t ended up in the hospital, and I hadn’t needed help with Dutton, I wouldn’t have gotten close to Jo in the first place. So yeah.” I nod. “You and Dutton are the reason. Well, mostly your appendix. But in a good way.”

“In that case, you’re welcome,” Paige says, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Now stop making excuses and get your girl.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Jo

I lie awake, tossing and turning all night in sheets that smell like the same laundry detergent my mom has used forever. I miss the scent of Noah’s fabric softener. I miss cuddling on his couch before bed. Most of all, I miss our conversations.

I’d give anything to be on his porch right now, describing the best kiss of my life, and the most amazing lips responsible for said kiss. Of course, since those lips belong to him, that topic could get awkward.

Beyond Noah’s newsworthy mouth, though—not to mention the baby steps we took toward bigger steps—I have other news to share with him. From the fundraiser.

I’d been in the Atrium talking to Nina when he came to tell me they had to go. Apparently Dutton was hitting a wall, and Paige was exhausted, too. Noah leaned in close, checking to be sure I had a safe ride back to my parents’ house.

I did.

What I hadn’t had yet was alone time with Noah.

So the Stadlers left Havenwood. Shortly after, Dex wanted to get Sayla home, too. So they dropped me off here, in my childhood bedroom with my two restless legs and my one restless heart.

I’m bouncing my knees, willing them to stop twitching, when my phone buzzes on the nightstand. A text from Noah. I snuggle deeper under my comforter to read it, like I did when I was a little girl sneaking a book under the covers after lights out.

Noah

You awake?

I grin under the tent of my comforter.

Me

Yep. You?

Noah

Sleeping like a baby.

Bigger grin.