“Promise me that you’ll at least show me some of it.”
His interest seems so genuine. I can’t help tumbling into it. “I will.”
“So, how is the marathon training going? It looks like you’re doing well.”
“I think I am. I’m definitely improving.” I nod. “I’m enjoying it too.”
My heart starts racing, I know the moment is coming, I just need to work up the courage. If I don’t do it now I’ll never be able to. I look at him desperately, hoping that he will see what I want to ask without me actually having to say the words, but the expression I get back isn’t a knowing one, he doesn’t seem to have any clue.
“Noah, I…” Oh God, the words aren’t coming. “I have something that I want to ask you.”
“You do? What is it?”
My pulse kicks up another notch and my eyes widen with fear. “Yeah, I do.” I breathe a couple of times, willing myself to just do it already. “Willyougooutwithme?”
The words spill out of my mouth too quickly. Noah doesn’t understand me.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
I suck in a couple of deep breaths. I need to calm the hell down before I make a real idiot of myself. “I said… will you go out with me? Like, on a date? Would you like to go on a date with me?”
He looks at me for a beat too long not answering me. The question hangs thickly in the air, it darts and dances between us, making me anxious. Why hasn’t he answered me? What is there to think about? He must not want this. I need to run…
11
Noah
I can’t say yes to this, a date is more than sex, a date can lead to something serious. I know this, I’ve decided this, it’s exactly what I said to Trent. It needs to all be casual so I don’t end up in another Ally situation. I cannot have anyone else rejecting Alex, I won’t allow it. I won’t have it.
But there’s something about the way that she looks at me which makes me want to just go for it.
“Yes,” I hear myself speaking out before my brain has really made a decision. “I would love to.”
What are you doing? I scream internally, but it’s too late. The yes is out there.
“Oh.” She looks visibly relieved. “That sounds awesome. When did you want to do it?”
“Tonight?” It might make it less serious if I do that. If it just happens. “At eight?”
“Yeah, I can do that. Where did you want me to meet you?”
“Meet me here?” Again, it isn’t gentlemanly, but it keeps it causal. Because damn it, I want this date but I don’t want it to be a big massive deal. “Would that be okay?”
“Sure, that sounds awesome… so, eight o clock here?”
As she walks away, I watch her go, that sexy ass of hers shaking. Maybe what I need to do is tell her right out that I can’t get into something serious on the date tonight, be as upfront as I can be. If I keep it clear in the beginning then I’m not doing anything wrong. Because there’s no point in wasting this amazing chemistry. The sizzling thing between us is so intense I can’t ignore it.
Maybe another thing I need to do is get Jenny to babysit so I can’t take her home and so I can’t stay out too late. That’s a guaranteed cock block which would be a really good idea. Yet, somehow, that isn’t who I text.
Noah: Mom, would it be possible to have Alex tonight? Sorry, I know it’s a lot…
Mom: Don’t be ridiculous, I want to have him. What are you up to?
Noah: I have a date.
I need to be honest, she’ll get it out of me anyway.
Mom: Is this someone nice? Not like that woman?