Noel’s chest tightened. “Yeah, but when she isn’t around anymore, you’ll miss her like crazy.”
Gabby’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”
Noel immediately regretted her soft reprimand. “It’s all right, Gabs. You should be able to vent to me about your frustrations with your parents. What are friends for? I’m just a little sensitive right now.”
An awkward silence stretched between them before Gabby got her pep back. “Back to Trip…what did you do when he asked you for money?”
“I took my food to go, ditched him at the restaurant with the bill, and then hid out in Nick’s apartment when Trip showed up at mine all pissed off. It was glorious.”
“Oh…” Gabby nodded, a sly smile on her face. “I get it. So is Nick the reason you’re all twitterpated?”
“Maybe,” Noel said, coyly.
Gabby set her baggy down with a squeal. “Seriously? Something else happened and you were holding out on me?”
“I am still digesting our…” Noel glanced toward the door and whispered, “Near sex experience.”
“Oh my God!” Gabby’s voice rose two octaves. “You have been here for over an hour and you are just bringing this up? I could kill you!”
Noel leaned across the table. “Then I won’t tell you how it was interrupted when his parents showed up.”
“No! Cockblocked by his parents?”
“Gabriella!” Her mother hollered from the kitchen.
“Sorry, Mom!” Gabby resorted to hushed tones. “Was it hot?”
“So hot. I get goosebumps when I think about it.”
“Oh, those are the best! Every time Drew kisses me, I feel like I’m going to explode.” Gabby cocked her head. “When you say near sex…”
“Rounding home when they came a knocking.”
Gabby groaned. “Girl, I would have died! What happened after his parents left? You didn’t go in for the big finish?”
“Nope. We ate dinner, played two truths and a lie and then…”
“Yes?” Gabby urged, eagerly hanging on Noel’s every word.
“Then he walked me home. It’s only a few doors down but it was sweet.” So sweet when he’d pushed her up against the door and deepened the kiss, she’d nearly dragged him inside with her. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been fast enough, too dazed to catch him before he’d pulled away and told her good night.
“That’s it?” Gabby’s full lips pursed in disappointment.
“Yes, but it’s good. We’re taking it slow. We’re getting to know each other as a potential couple.”
“Couple huh?”
“Yes. We’re going to have a trial date and see how it goes. He asked me to go with him to the Festival of Trees for our first official date.”
“Not the sexiest venture, but I’ll take it. Crowded, so he can’t whisk you off into a corner and have his way with you.”
“Honestly, although I was extremely not okay tapping the brakes last night, I’m glad we didn’t jump into bed. I’m still not sure we’re doing the right thing.”
“Why?” Gabby grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. “You are gonna drive me insane. Say it with me. You and Nick are perfect together.”
Noel placed her hands on Gabby’s shoulders and shook her back. “Nick wants marriage and kids and I don’t. Doesn’t sound too perfect.”
“Yeah, but…do you actually not want the apple pie, white picket fence life? Or are you scared of wanting it and losing it?”
Noel bit her lip. “If you’d asked me six months ago, I would have lied and told you I never wanted that life, but lately, watching you with your mom, planning your wedding…it’s brought back memories of my parents. The life they wanted for me.” The life Noel once wanted for herself, if she was being honest. “I think the hardest part about finding someone special is that they won’t be with me. All these major events and I’ll have no one in my corner to celebrate with.”
“Baby, that’s just not true.” Gabby took both her hands and squeezed. “If you decide you want to marry Nick, I will be right where you’re sitting, helping you plan for your special day. And the Winterses adore you. You can’t tell me they wouldn’t jump into the fray. And the whole time, your parents will be watching over you and thinking how happy they are you found your person.”