The corner of his eyes crease. “Mason said he texted you for me, telling you I lost my phone.”
“I probably should have read those.” I chuckle. “I stopped looking after the fifth or sixth one came through.”
A small grin forms on his lips. “I was waiting around a bit in case Cameron showed. Figured it was better to ask her to call on her phone than it would be to ask Mason.”
“And if she didn’t show?”
“Then you’d be opening your door for me when I knocked on it.”
A low laugh slips from me, and I sway slightly on my feet, giving myself a moment to take him in, as if in search of a change in him from the last time I saw him. His hair is a perfect, silken mess of dark strands with freshly trimmed sides, and he’s ever flawless in a T-shirt and jeans.
No effort looks good on him, especially with the way his tattoo peeks from beneath the fabric around his bicep. It’s the textbook tease—not enough to show you what’s to be found, but just enough to lead you on the hunt.
I’ve never seen the full image, how far the dark markings travel, and I kind of want to.
I’m tempted to push his sleeve up now.
The hand on my lower back spans out, pressing into me more firmly as he nods, a tangled, yet contented expression blanketing his face.
“I thought for sure I’d have to head your way.” He speaks in a curious, husky whisper, his eyes imploring. If the spark that flickers within his gaze tells me anything, it’s that he’s pleased.
My gaze slides past him then, toward the doorway he slipped from, where Paige still stands alone and staring our way.
I try to turn back quickly once I realize where my gaze has subconsciously pointed, but Noah catches me regardless.
He slides in front of me, and I tip my head back to look up at him.
“I was talking to Paige about her students. They’re giving her some trouble, and since I was in youth groups as a kid, she thought I’d have some advice.”
“Oh, I wasn’t…”
Wasn’t what, Ari? Jesus.
My face heats, and I attempt to avert my gaze, but Noah doesn’t allow it.
His fingers come up to skim under my chin, and my lips part for a shallow breath as he guides my attention right back to him.
He says nothing, but it’s as if he doesn’t have to. It’s all right there, written along his handsome face, and in the way his thumb feathers over my jaw. It’s brief, unnoticeable, but it’s felt. Everywhere.
My god I’m in trouble.
Once he’s satisfied, his hand falls. “I can’t let Paige leave by herself, it’s not safe.”
I nod and go to step back, but he doesn’t allow that either.
I don’t know why I’m acting like this.
Chase must have thrown me off.
“Her friend bailed on her, so I need to take her home—”
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” I shake myself out of the weird fog I’ve fallen into. “Go. I didn’t mean to keep you, do whatever you need to.”
His eyes narrow.
“Seriously, enjoy your night, you don’t have to babysit me. Cameron and the others are around here somewhere; I’ll be fine. I won’t roam around alone if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Noah’s stance widens a bit, and his tongue comes out, rolling along his lips. “I’m gonna lay this out for you, so pay attention, because I need you to hear me.” His response is instant and strong, and he steps closer, holding my eyes hostage. “I don’t want you to think Paige is here with me tonight. She’s not, but she is my friend, and I need to make sure she makes it home safely. I don’t want you to stay here because I’m thinking you came here for me tonight, and if I’m completely honest with you right now, I don’t want to share you with the person who I’m damn sure has just realized that. So, if you came for me, come with me.” He pauses, but only for a second. “Because I was on my way to you just the same.” Noah takes a deep breath, nodding to himself. “I’m coming off a loss today, make my night feel like a win. Come with, Juliet.”
“Okay.”
He scowls, his head tipping slightly as if he’s surprised. “Okay?”
“Yeah… okay.”
Noah chuckles, subconsciously rubbing at the back of his head. “That was easier than I thought.”
I shrug, smiling at him. Before, I might have paused and thought about it, but I don’t want to. I don’t need to.
Noah is face value, and he takes me just the same. As I am.