I brought my attention back to my book, reading the same paragraph several times. No information would go in with him sitting there. I was hyper-aware of his presence, the rise and fall of his chest, every inhale and exhale of breath.
My eyes were inexplicably drawn back to him. They swept down the length of his body, before rising back to his face. I loved the swoop of his nose, the sculpted, sardonic lines of his mouth. And his eyes. So green they were branded into my memory forever.
Noah glanced at me, and I lowered my gaze, embarrassed to be caught looking. I let out a breath, sat up straight and closed my book.
“Can I talk to you about something?”
He didn’t say anything as he turned off the TV and turned to face me. His eyes fixed to mine a moment before he said, “If it’s about my time in prison, I wasn’t lying. Vee just doesn’t want you to know the truth. She thinks it’ll scare you.”
Tiny hairs rose on my arms. Would the truth scare me? I wasn’t sure I was ready to find out.
Clearing my throat, I replied, “It’s not about that, but it is about Vee.”
Noah tilted his head curiously. “What about Vee?”
“I’m going to college in September.”
This news seemed to surprise him. His face brightened. “Does this mean you’re no longer joining a convent?”
I shook my head. “No, that’s still happening. I found a convent that would sponsor my education, too. One of the nuns at school is mentoring me.” I saw his hope disintegrate as I soldiered on. “Anyway, this is why I wanted to talk about Vee. When I leave for college, I’m worried she’ll start drinking again.”
“Vee isn’t your responsibility, Estella.”
“I know that, but I still don’t want anything bad to happen to her. My dad loved her, and I can see, despite how difficult she can be, you love her, too.”
He frowned. “Where are you going with this?”
I shifted in place, not sure how he’d react to my request. “I was wondering if you’d consider staying here with Vee permanently. I don’t know why, and honestly, I don’t want to know, because whatever Sylvia did in the past is none of my business, but Vee’s biggest fear is being left alone with her. I believe if you’re here, she’ll be okay.”
He dragged a hand along his jaw. My eyes were drawn to the movement, and there was something about his broody expression I found deeply attractive.
“I can’t make that promise. I’m sorry,” he answered regretfully.
“But why not? You have a job here now. A good job. You can make a life for yourself here, I think.”
A wry smile shaped his lips. “You don’t sound very convinced.”
I lowered my gaze, shaking my head at myself. Standing, I tucked my book under my arm and walked to the door. “Forget I said anything. It was a silly idea.”
“Where are you going?”
“To study in my room.”
I’d almost made it to the door when he asked, “Want to go for a ride on my bike instead?”
His green eyes glittered, and I couldn’t resist them. I knew I should decline, but tiny acrobats did somersaults in my chest, urging me to go with him. I loved riding on Noah’s bike. It was one of the few things that made me feel truly alive. “Yes, okay,” I answered, barely able to hold back my smile.
His eyes warmed at my response. “Good. Go put your shoes on.”
***
We drove to the next town over. Noah parked close to the beach, and we walked down onto the strand. We sat next to each other not too far from the shore. The weather was nice, sunny and mild. I pulled off my cardigan, leaving me in only the T-shirt I had on underneath so I could enjoy the sun’s warmth on my skin.
Every once in a while, my arm brushed Noah’s, and it was hard to stem the butterflies the touch solicited. Remembering I still had possession of his knife, I pulled it from my pocket and laid it on the sand in front of him.
“I completely forgot I still had that until the other night,” I said.
His eyes wandered to the blade, then to me. He must’ve seen something in my expression when he asked, “What happened the other night?”
I blew out a breath, drawing a swirl in the sand with my fingertips. “I went over to Kean’s house to tell him that I, you know, changed my mind.”
I felt rather than saw him bristle. “And?”
I sighed because the whole thing was so juvenile when it boiled down to it. “And a bunch of his friends were there, including Sally.”
His face hardened but he didn’t say anything.
I continued talking. “So, anyway, I told Kean I didn’t want to have sex with him anymore, and he completely transformed. He turned into an absolute arsehole, calling me a prude. Then Sally came out and told me it was all a stupid bet from the start. They wagered I was too holy and virginal,” I paused to roll my eyes, “and that Kean could never get me to sleep with him.” I chanced a quick peek at Noah, and his expression was barely concealed rage. It contrasted with how he sat there, listening quietly.