Perfect for You(46)

“Now you’re just teasing me.”

Crap. Guys and their hormones. “Sorry, should I—” His lips find mine. This time the kiss is much more controlled. He’s calmer. I relax and give in to the moment.

“Hey, you guys in here?” Nathan calls.

Noah groans, and we both turn to look at Nathan.

“Come on, man. That’s my bathroom.”

“Relax, Nathan. We’re not doing anything,” I say, hoping I didn’t lose Noah any points with his friend by admitting how innocent the kiss was.

“Yeah, well your friend is here, so you two should come out and join the rest of the party.”

Grayson’s here. Another mess I need to fix.

Nathan turns to leave, but he hesitates in the doorway. “Oh, and my dad called. He’s majorly pissed about the wall. I told him you’re going to pay for it, but you can expect a nasty call from him in the near future.” He walks away, and I pull Noah’s face back to mine.

“No more punching walls when you’re mad at me, okay?”

“I wasn’t mad at you. I was mad at the situation.” He puts his hands on my waist and helps me down from the counter, not that it’s a long way down or anything. I’m guessing it’s an excuse to touch me. “But, so you know, I’m ready when you are.” I’m not sure if he’s talking about us getting closer emotionally or physically at this point, so I nod, hoping that’s enough for him.

I take his good hand, lacing my fingers through his, and we head back to the party. Grayson is with her doubles partner, Leanne. Something about her bringing a friend along makes me feel uneasy. Is she so mad at me that she wouldn’t come to the party without bringing someone?

“Go.” Noah raises my hand to his mouth and kisses my fingers. “Fix this. You two need to talk.”

I smile at him and walk up to Grayson. “You came.”

“Yeah. I hope it’s okay that I brought Leanne.”

Leanne gives me a little wave.

“Yeah, sure. Of course. You guys want something to drink?”

“You and Noah look pretty tight,” Leanne says, ignoring my question.

“Um, yeah.”

“So things are getting serious? Even though you and Ash were so close before?” She’s grilling me, and I can’t help thinking these are really Grayson’s questions, not Leanne’s.

“Leanne, could you excuse us for a second? I really need to talk to Gray.” I tug on Grayson’s arm, but she pulls free.

“I think this was a mistake,” Grayson says. “Let’s go, Leanne.”

“Wait, Gray. You just got here.”

She stares at me like I’m a total stranger, not her best friend. “Yeah, but it’s obvious we’re done.” She turns and walks out. Leanne shrugs and follows her.

She’s done. Done being my friend. First Ash and now Grayson. The two people I love the most. Gone.





Chapter Twenty-One


I spend the entire weekend with Noah, trying to forget everything that’s wrong in my life and focus on him. It works for the most part. That is, until Monday morning arrives. Noah holds my hand as we walk into school. Now that tennis is almost officially over, I have no desire to be at school at all. As far as I’m concerned, senior year can just end. Mail me my diploma.

“She’ll get over it. Keep trying to talk to her, okay?” Noah turns me around to face him when we get to my locker. I can’t help noticing Ash walking by. Only Liz isn’t with him. She must be absent. Noah follows my gaze and frowns. “Seeing him will get easier, too. Of course that would happen a lot quicker if you’d focus on us.”

Ash is still within seeing distance, but I reach for Noah’s face and kiss him. “Like that?”

“It’s a start.” His dimple surfaces, and I run my finger over it.

“Photography. That’s when I’ll make up with Grayson. She has to have her project finished by now. I’ll make her talk to me, get this all out.”

“Sounds like a plan.” He leans down and kisses my cheek, my neck, and then my ear, sending chills down my body.

“Noah, we’re in a crowded hallway.”

“I know.” He does it again.

“You’re driving me crazy.”

“I know.” He pulls away with a devilish grin. “See you at lunch?”

I pull his waist toward me, not wanting him to go. “What about in between classes?”

“I have to go to a student council thing this morning. I won’t be around between classes. We end at lunch.”

I’m disappointed, and a huge part of me is happy I’m disappointed. Noah is getting to me—in a good way. Maybe I can forget about Ash after all.

“I’ll miss you,” I say, tugging on the belt loop of his jeans.

He kisses me again. “Emma’s going to keep you company for me.” He turns to leave and Emma’s already there. Did they plan that? Is this the Meg babysitting service?

“Hey,” Emma says with a smile.

“Hey.” Noah’s group has welcomed me in, but I’ve never walked to my classes with anyone but Noah. This feels a little weird. I put my stuff in my locker and grab my literature book. “I’m this way.” I point down the hall toward Ash’s locker.