I lean in and try to kiss him, but he pulls back.
“Connor, I—” he starts, then stops, embarrassed. “God, I’m a mess. Let me just—” He gestures vaguely at his tear-streaked face, which is, admittedly, a complete disaster. “Let me wipe my face first.”
I smile at him, my chest so full it aches.
“Hold on,” I say, reaching for the glove compartment.
I pull out a packet of tissues—the kind they give you at a doctor’s office, which I keep there out of habit—and hand it to him.
Noah takes them gratefully and wipes his face, then blows his nose with a distinct lack of dignity that somehow makes me love him even more. When he’s done, he looks at me again, his eyes still red-rimmed but clearer now, searching my face.
“Are you serious?” he asks, his voice less shaky but still uncertain. “About…about loving me? You’re not just saying it because I said it first?”
“Noah,” I say softly. “I was trying to tell you at the picnic, before Rick’s stupid text came through.”
His eyes widen. “You were?”
I nod, reaching out to brush his cheek. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone. Not this fast. And it scares the shit out of me, actually.”
“Me too,” Noah whispers.
“Come here.”
I tug at him gently, and Noah hesitates for only a second before climbing awkwardly over the center console and into my lap. It’s a tight fit—he’s not short, and my car isn’t exactly spacious—but we make it work, his knees on either side of my hips, his face hovering just above mine in the dim light of early dawn.
“Am I dreaming?” he asks, looking at me.
“You’re not,” I murmur, my hands finding his waist to keep him balanced. “I’m right here. I love you.”
“I love you too,” he says, and hearing those words in his voice sends heat rushing through me. His hands frame my face, his touch careful as he leans down to kiss me.
I kiss him back, and it’s the best kiss I’ve ever had. It’s short and soft, but it’s real.
When he pulls back, there’s something almost shy in his expression, a vulnerability that makes me want to wrap him up and protect him from everything bad in the world.
Including his ex.
“About Rick,” I say, because we should probably address the elephant in the room. “Are you okay? After everything that happened?”
Noah nods slowly. “I am. It was intense, and I feel bad for Cassidy, but…” He shrugs. “It’s over. It’s been over for a long time, really. I just needed to see it clearly.”
“And you do now?”
“Yeah,” he says, his eyes never leaving mine. “I do.”
“And you…” I draw the words out, not sure I want to be that person. “Are you sure you don’t love him anymore?”
Noah smiles and shakes his head. “No, I don’t. I love you, Connor.”
I nod, then ask, unable to stop myself, “And you were crying because…?”
Noah looks away, his cheeks flushing. “Because I thought I was going to lose you tomorrow. And I was scared to tell you the truth. I didn’t know you felt the same way.”
“I do,” I tell him, catching his chin and making him meet my eyes. “You should’ve asked me before crying your guts out. Could’ve saved yourself some fluid.”
Noah laughs, his face lighting up with a smile so warm I want to kiss him again.
For a few long minutes, we just stare at each other.
