The Summer Girlfriend (Heart Beach, #1)(67)

Noelle pressed a hand to her chest when he finished speaking. Her heart broke for him. “Jeremiah…I’m so sorry.”

“I wish I could go back to that night all the time,” he said quietly. “I wish that I would have sat my stupid ass down and told Pop that he was right. I should have apologized when I had the chance. After he died, I wanted to make him proud and turn my life around, even if he wasn’t here to see me do it.” He paused. “Percy thinks I left Smith’s Sweets because I don’t care about the company or my family. But I do care about them. Caring about them is why I left. My mom and Percy and Amara…they’re perfect as is. There was nothing left for me to contribute to Smith’s Sweets, and I thought it would be best for everyone if I left and figured my shit out. Then I started working with Aaron and Good Boy. I’ve made a difference there. That’s why I’ve been pouring so much of myself into the company.”

There was something a bit hollow in his voice when he mentioned Good Boy, like he was trying to convince himself that Good Boy was where he needed to be. But he’d already revealed so much to Noelle tonight. She’d ask about his job another day.

“Who else have you told about your last conversation with your grandfather?” she asked softly.

“No one,” he said. “I’ve been afraid of what my family will think. You’re the first.”

Noelle didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t shared this heavy memory with anyone, until her, which meant that he trusted her enough. In place of words, she hugged him. She heard his rapid heartbeat and his sharp intake of breath. He immediately wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

“I can’t believe you’ve been holding this in for two years,” she said. “Maybe you’ve done some things in your past that you’re not proud of, but you’ve been making an effort to change.” She leaned her head back and looked up at him. “I agree that your family is amazing. But, Jeremiah, you’re amazing too. You talk about your family like you think they’re more worthy of good things than you are, and that’s not true. You’re just as worthy.”

He looked at her silently. His mouth formed into a consternated frown. She didn’t know if he believed what she’d said, but at least he was listening.

“I think that you need to try to forgive yourself for the decisions you made in the past and for how you left things with your grandfather before he died.” she continued. “You both loved each other, and you couldn’t have known what would happen. If you don’t forgive yourself, how can you ever move forward?”

“I’m going to work on that,” he said. “I promise.”

“Okay.”

They fell quiet, still embraced, breathing in tandem.

“Part of me thinks I should leave,” he said quietly. “The night is going so well, and I don’t want to bring down the mood.”

“No, you shouldn’t leave,” Noelle said, pulling away to look at him again. “You should stay here with your family. That’s what your grandfather would have wanted.” She paused, observing him. “And I think that’s what you want too. You just have to believe that you deserve to be here.”

His hold on her tightened, and he nodded wordlessly.

“Plus, you promised to dance with me tonight,” she said. “And you haven’t danced with me nearly enough.”

He finally smiled, and it changed his whole face. “I did promise you that, didn’t I?”

“Yep.”

“I definitely don’t want to break my promise to you.” He stepped away and dragged a hand down his face again. His smile turned sardonic. “Do I look like I was someone who was outside going through it?”

“No. You look sexy, like James Bond.”

He huffed out a laugh and hugged her to him once more. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Thank you.”

Noelle’s skin buzzed. Blood rushed through her veins straight to her heart. Being so close to him this way made her dizzy with wanting.

“You’re welcome,” she whispered back.

Hand in hand, they returned inside. Most people were on the dance floor doing the wobble. Amara and Celeste were in the front. Robin was trying to help Percy catch on, but he was moving like he had two left feet.

Noelle and Jeremiah joined his family and easily fell into step alongside them. Jeremiah didn’t know how to do the wobble either, but it didn’t really matter that he was doing the dance incorrectly. What mattered was that he’d listened to Noelle and he’d stayed. He wasn’t missing out on this moment with his family. And the Smiths looked so happy, including Percy, who didn’t have a rhythmic bone in his body. It was nice to feel part of it all. Even if this family wasn’t for Noelle to keep.

After the song changed, Jeremiah took Noelle by the hand and dipped her in a flourish before whipping her back up into his arms. Noelle laughed in surprise and everyone around them burst into applause. But soon she wasn’t thinking about anyone else as Jeremiah pulled her close and swayed with her from side to side.

“Everybody is looking at us,” he whispered. His eyes lowered to her mouth. “What do you think? Should we kiss?”

“Yes,” she answered quickly. She was tired of pretending like she hadn’t wanted to kiss him all night.