Page 43 of Before We Break

“How the hell am I supposed to do that?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. Figure it out.”

I look back to Ben for help, but he just holds up his hands, mirroring my wide-eyed expression.

“Fucking hell.”

I stand and wrap my arm around Clio’s waist, pulling her against my side. She glances up at me and smiles, her green eyes sparkling in the harsh overhead lighting. Her delicate hand presses against my chest, and my heart pounds out a dramatic rhythm.

In a steady voice, I say, “We don’t need your permission to be together, and even if we did, I wouldn’t give one flying fuck what any of you think.”

Teddy scoffs. “Come on, Noah. She’s not exactly your type.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“It’s not like you to be tied down, especially not to a single mom with way too much baggage.”

My jaw ticks. “Nobody talks about my woman that way. Apologize.”

Clio’s hand cradles my jaw, forcing my gaze back to her. “Noah. It’s fine. Let it go.”

Her touch grounds me, her voice a balm to the fury that’s still simmering beneath the surface.

“Theodore Sinclair,” Janet chastises. “That was uncalled for.”

The council starts bickering back and forth, but I’m too goddamn captivated to care. I may never understand this hold Clio has on me, but I’m helpless to fight against it.

I tuck the lock of blonde hair behind her ear and let my knuckles brush the side of her cheek.

“Is this convincing enough or should I kiss you?” I whisper for only Clio to hear.

Her breath hitches as she stares up at me. “I think”—she swallows and breaks eye contact—“I think that was more than enough.”

I drop my hand from her cheek, but I don’t let her go, too caught up in the moment to consider how dangerous it is to linger like this. “What do you say we get out of here?”

She nods, and I take her hand in mine, pulling her along with me out of the exit without another word.

“Slow down,” she says through a laugh, jogging to keep pace with me until we’re outside in the alley. “I think you’ve made your point.” She presses her back to the brick wall and stares up at the sky, smiling from ear to ear. “That’s one way to hard launch a relationship. Are your first dates always this dramatic?”

That relentless tug in my chest resurfaces, swift and painful. “I’m glad you find this amusing. Personally, I’m tired of this town meddling in my life.”

“They mean well.”

I huff out an indignant breath.

Truth be told, I envy Clio. What would it be like to face the day filled with hope and optimism rather than this bitter cynicism that’s been a staple in my life for as long as I can remember?

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” And I have a feeling the road to hell is the path I set us on as soon as I started this thing. There’s no going back now. Might as well enjoy the view. “Wanna grab something to eat?”

“Say less. I’m starving.”

ELEVEN

WONDERWALL

♫ Wonderwall - Oasis

NOAH