The Summer Girlfriend (Heart Beach, #1)(64)

“Jeremiah?”

He blinked to attention and realized that Noelle had been calling his name. He’d been too focused on the past.

“Sorry,” he said, looking at her in the rearview mirror. “What did you say?”

“I asked if you’re gonna dance with me tonight.”

“Of course.” He smiled, and she grinned back. “I got you.”

It would be hard attending the gala without Pop for the first time, but maybe having Noelle with him tonight would make things easier.





Chapter Twenty




From the outside, the Heart Beach convention center looked like a standard building, nothing too out of the ordinary. But inside, the Smiths and the events team they’d hired for the gala had pulled off something special. An ice sculpture in the shape of giving hands welcomed guests as they entered the lobby. Floral arrangements featuring various white flowers cascaded down the walls. Based on what Noelle had learned from the brides she’d worked with, she’d guess that these arrangements hadn’t come cheap. There was a custom-made black-and-white checkerboard dance floor, and smaller flower arrangements decorated the tables.

Guests had arrived in their black-tie best. Noelle smoothed her hands down the front of her gown. Daniela had personally delivered it earlier that afternoon. Thanks to Daniela’s alterations, the dress now looked and felt like Noelle had been born to wear it. She paired the gown with the black open-toed heels that Tati had encouraged her to buy earlier this week. She still felt weird using Jeremiah’s credit card carte blanche. He was already paying her a lot. But he hadn’t so much as blinked when she’d told him how much she’d spent on the shoes. He’d smiled and said, Okay, like she’d told him that the forecast didn’t call for rain this weekend. It was another reminder that they were from different worlds. But despite that reality, as she and Jeremiah had texted back and forth this week, Noelle had smiled at her phone, feeling ooey gooey at her center, like a warmed-up Smith’s Sweets cookie.

If only he wasn’t so generous. And so nice to look at. And didn’t make her laugh. Or didn’t listen to her while she talked. Then she wouldn’t feel so completely drawn to him. She wouldn’t spend time daydreaming about what it might be like if they were really together. Even though in reality, she couldn’t let anything distract her from her studies once she started college again, and he was moving. And he was currently paying her to be his fake girlfriend, of course. What kind of real relationship started on those grounds? She knew she was being delusional, but she kept daydreaming regardless.

She glanced around the room, trying to locate Jeremiah. He’d been standing with his mom and siblings by the door, greeting the arriving guests, but now Noelle couldn’t find him.

She felt a light tap at her elbow. She glanced to her left and found Jeremiah holding a glass of champagne toward her. He was always handsome, but tonight he looked downright mouthwatering in his tux. Like a sleek, sexy, Black James Bond. His beauty made her feel breathless.

“Looking for someone?” he asked with a smirk.

She glanced at his lips and immediately thought of the kiss they’d shared on his bed weeks ago. Did he think about that moment as much as she did?

“Thank you,” she said, taking the champagne flute from him. From the way Noelle’s pulse jumped when their fingers grazed, he may as well have caressed her in front of everyone.

“You’re welcome,” he said, his voice a low rumble in her ear, and she fought off the urge to shiver. “I was looking for you too. You look so beautiful tonight. Have I told you that already?”

“Thank you, and yes, more than once.” She laughed softly. The moment she’d put the dress on earlier, it was as though she’d mesmerized him. His inviting smile did nothing to calm the harsh pounding of her heart.

“The flowers are so pretty,” she blurted, needing to divert her thoughts elsewhere. She pointed at the flowers cascading down the walls. “What kind are they?”

“I think we settled on hydrangeas,” he said. “But I can ask to be sure.” He looked at her again. “Do you like flowers?”

“Of course. Who doesn’t?”

“Do you have a favorite?”

“I like them all,” she said. “Sometimes I keep my bridesmaid bouquets and repurpose them as arrangements for our kitchen table.”

He smiled. “Would you put these flowers on your kitchen table?”

“Absolutely.”

Jeremiah started to ask a follow-up question, but he was cut off by the MC, who asked everyone to take their seats.

“That’s my cue,” Jeremiah said, winking. “See you in a few minutes.”

As Jeremiah joined Celeste, Percy, and Amara at the front of the room, Noelle made her way to their table at the edge of the dance floor. She sat beside Robin, who was glowing tonight, wearing a black gown with an empire waist and tulle skirt.

“My feet are killing me,” Robin leaned over and whispered. “Welcome to your first Smith Foundation gala.”

“Thanks,” Noelle whispered back, and she felt a little prickle in her chest, realizing that this would be her first and last time attending the gala.

At the front of the room, Celeste held the mic, and Jeremiah, Amara, and Percy stood behind her.