Perfect for You(4)

“That’s all?” she presses. “I know you better, Meg.”

“Fine. So, maybe at first I was excited he was paying attention to me. I’ve liked him for a long time. But I love Ash. Noah talking to me doesn’t change that.”

“Okay. If you say that’s all it is, then I believe you.”

“Do you? Because it would really suck if my best friend didn’t trust me.”

“I said I believe you. What more do you want?”

I shake my head. She’s totally killing my good mood. “I gotta go. I haven’t even eaten yet.”

“Meet you at the courts at three?”

“Sure. See you there.” I hang up and immediately text Ash.

Meg: Slept in. Can’t wait to see you later.

He’s at practice, which means any of the guys could pick up his phone or at the very least be there to read my text when Ash opens it. I don’t want to use the L-word or say anything too mushy.

I put the phone down and eat my cereal. Just as I take the last bite, my phone beeps with a message. I grab it, thinking Ash is taking a bathroom break.

Got plans for today?

It’s not Ash. I don’t recognize the number at all. I text back.

Who is this?

Guess.

Noah? No, he doesn’t have my number. My fingers hover over the keys, not knowing how to respond.

Noah: It’s Noah.

Why is Noah texting me? Sure we’ve been hanging out, but only at the courts. We’ve never called each other or anything.

Meg: How did you get my number?

Noah: I have my ways. How’s your head?

I haven’t even thought about it. My late night swim with Ash sort of cured all my ailments.

Meg: Better.

Noah: Good. Let’s go to the water park.

Is he asking me out? He knows I’m with Ash. I can explain being at the tennis courts with Noah since he’s the best player on the guys’ team, but going to a water park?

Noah: What, do you have plans already?

Yes, I do. Gray and I have to practice, and I promised Ash I would go watch the Football Challenge tonight.

Meg: Kind of.

Kind of? Why did I text that? What the hell is Noah doing to me? It’s like my brain shuts off when I talk to him.

Noah: Pick you up in twenty.

It isn’t a question. He’s not asking me to go out with him. He’s telling me he’s on his way to pick me up. On his way here. My house. My mind is mush right now. A week ago I didn’t think Noah knew my name. Now, he knows my cell number and where I live. How is this happening?

I snap out of my mind melt and realize I’m not dressed to go to a water park. I race back upstairs and throw on a bathing suit. Instantly, my late night swim with Ash comes to mind. I should text Noah and cancel. This is a huge mistake. Ash isn’t going to understand this. Grayson isn’t going to understand this. Hell, I don’t understand this. What is it about Noah that draws me in? There’s something there, but I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe if I can figure out what it is, I can actually be his friend and this stupid crush would go away.

A car beeps, and I rush to the window. Noah’s black Camry is in the driveway. Damn it. I can’t back out now; he’s already here. I throw jean shorts and a tank top over my bikini and run a comb through my hair. Then I shove my cell in my pocket and run to the front door, stopping to take a deep breath before opening it. Last chance. I could text Noah back and say I’m not home. Tell him I have plans with Ash. I want to cancel on Noah. I do. But then I’ll never figure this out. I’ll never get over him.

My hand turns the doorknob, acting on its own. Noah is leaning against the passenger side door. His outfit is the perfect combination of sporty and…I force my mouth to close. Staring at Noah, it all makes sense—why I can’t stop seeing him. Why I keep reading more into things than what’s really there. Why I’m hiding things from Ash and Grayson. Noah isn’t just the guy I’ve had a crush on for years. He reminds me of my ex-boyfriend, Derrick. The first guy I ever thought I loved. The guy who cheated on me with that freshman transfer, Stacy Leeman. The guy who broke my heart into a million pieces. As Noah waits for me by the car, I notice every similarity between him and Derrick. The dirty blond hair with the messy-on-purpose look. The deep blue eyes. The confidence oozing from every part of his body. I’m in trouble.

Making this connection should send me running back into the house, locking the door behind me, but my legs move toward Noah. I lost Derrick, and I never really got over it. It’s hard to forget the guy who cheated on you and humiliated you in front of the entire school. Hanging out with Noah somehow gives me back something I lost sophomore year. Something Derrick took from me. But it still isn’t right. I don’t want to hurt Ash just to get my self-esteem back in check.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Noah smiles at me, and I can’t help thinking I’m not imagining things between us. Maybe he really does like me. I wrack my brain, trying to remember him calling anyone else gorgeous. One of his friends? Nope. Can’t remember a single time in my two years of drooling over him.

“Um, what’s with the sudden urge to go to the water park?” I’m trying to keep my voice steady, but it’s not easy when he’s looking at me like I’m the only girl on the planet. He opens the car door for me and only moves aside enough for me to squeeze in. My entire left side brushes against him as I slide into the seat. My breath catches in my throat, but not before I get a good whiff of his scent. I’m not sure what kind of cologne he’s wearing, but it might as well be called Swoon, because that’s what it’s making me do right now.