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Noah moves toward the couch, my eyes following his approach. He sits down, making himself comfortable with a sigh that tells me he’s had a long week. Dropping his head back against the sofa, exposing the thick column of his throat, he mutters, “I don’t remember that conversation.”
I’m distracted, openly watching the cords of his neck move as he swallows. “You need to get your hearing checked then, because it happened nearly an hour ago, over there.” I point over to the kitchen, as if that will refresh his memory.
A blush steals over my cheeks when he pops an eye open, turning his head to look at me. “No, you made a comment, there was no discussion.”
Turning back to the TV, I can’t help the chuckle that slips through my lips. “Tomayto, tomaato.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see his lips twitch. Did Noah Parker just consider smiling about something I said? I feel like that hasn’t happened in such a long time. We fall into a comfortable silence, watching the rest of the episode.
When it’s finished, I flick through the channels looking for something we might both enjoy.
“You want to put a movie on and order some food?”
I don’t say anything, instead turning to face Noah, I lift the back of my hand to his forehead. “Are you sick?”
That gets a laugh out of him and the sound of his rich, deep timbre echoing around the room, sends a bolt of electricity through my body. I squirm in my seat. My first thought is he should laugh more because it’s delectable. My second is that it was highly inappropriate and I should leave.
Standing from my seat, I run my palms down my thighs, which of course because this night couldn’t end with me making a dignified exit, has my sweats shifting lower on my hips. “I should leave you to it. I just ate anyway and I’m sure you’ll want to call Sutton before she goes to bed. Or whatever it is that you two do.” I don’t even know where she’s gone. I’m just rambling at this point.
The easy going look on his face morphs into one of confusion mixed with concern before he wipes it away and says with an air of nonchalance, “Sutton and I broke up three weeks ago.”
TWENTY-TWO
Noah
“Sutton and I broke up three weeks ago.”
Savannah’s eyes flare in surprise as her jaw goes lax. It only lasts a matter of seconds before she masks it. I can see her mind working as she tries to process the information. Her dark blue eyes showing a storm of uncertainty that she can’t hide.
After a few minutes, I continue, “I’ve been working a lot recently and haven't eaten all day so thought I’d come home and recharge. I’d really like some company, if you’re up for it.”
White teeth pull at the corner of her mouth and she chews on the sensitive flesh. I want to tug her lip free and kiss it better. And tell her to stop because she might hurt herself.
Woah. Where did all of that come from?
I genuinely just want to be her friend and hang out. Forcing my eyes back to the TV, I berate myself for having such inappropriate thoughts about her. I’ve been single for three weeks. It’s hardly appropriate to be thinking about moving on, let alone doing things with Savannah.
It’s been a while since I last sat down and just relaxed and although I have work I’ll probably end up doing if Savannah says no, I want to actually take the time to reset tonight. Although, if I can’t control my roaming thoughts, maybe I should go and work instead.
Savannah clears her throat, bringing my attention back to her as she straightens her shoulders and says, “First of all, I’m sorry to hear about you and Sutton. From hangin’ out with her, she seemed like a great person and much too good for the likes of you.”
There’s a twinkle in her eye and the corner of her mouth lifts as she teases me. I can’t hold back the huff of a laugh that breaks free.
Savannah sits back down, curling her legs underneath herself, asking, “What movie do you want to put on?”
With that simple question, I feel a weight lifting off my chest. Her just sitting next to me, and the light lavender scent that’s uniquely her, has a calming effect on me. It’s like I can finally breathe again.
The thought has my brows tugging together in confusion.
I’m only feeling this way because I’m comfortable around her. She’s been in my life as long as Jack; it’s normal for her to feel like a safety net. That's all this is. The lightness is from knowing that I can take a break from the crushing pressure of my work and relax in good company.
“I’m easy. Do you want something light to eat? I’m gonna order from the sandwich shop on the corner.”
A smirk tugs at her full lips, drawing my attention there again. I have to remind myself to not focus on them. I’m not sure this was a good idea after all. Shifting my gaze back to the television, I pick up the remote and navigate to one of the many subscription apps I pay for and never use.
“It’s been a while since we last hung out, huh? I’m guessin’ you forgot about my bottomless pit of a stomach? Do you really want a sandwich?”
I laugh at her reminder, because she’s right, it has been a while and I did forget. She’s so tiny, in comparison to my bulk, that it’s hard to imagine her eating two meals back to back.
