One Last Time(44)

Again, a bad idea.

I heard a car door shut and suddenly needed to search for food.

“Kristin!” Danielle calls.

“What?”

“Stop hiding, he’s not here!”

They all start to laugh, and I stick my tongue out at the wall. “I’m hungry not hiding!”

I really need to go food shopping, there’s nothing here. I’m on my hands and knees, digging in the bottom cabinets, scouring for some chips. A bag of Cool Ranch Doritos is what I need.

“Looking for something?” Noah’s deep voice scares the fuck out of me.

I jump, slamming my head on the wood. “Ouch,” I say as I rub the spot I hit. Seriously, one damn time I’d like to be totally normal around him. I’m not asking for much.

“You okay?” He chuckles.

“I’m great, it’s just another moment to beat myself up over later.”

I carefully extricate myself without further injury and sit back on my heels.

“Hi.” I give a sad smile. His hair is cut a little shorter, but his facial hair is grown out.

I like it. I like it a lot.

Noah returns my smile as he squats so we’re eye level. “Hi.”

I look around the kitchen, waiting for one of us to say something more.

Silence continues, stretching into the realm of uncomfortable.

“So, how are things?” I ask.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that? I know today was . . . the day and all.”

Is that why he didn’t try to get my number to call me? I didn’t even think about that. He knew my divorce was this week, and maybe he was giving me time to process it without him . . .

“Yeah, I’m single.” I shrug. “Officially on the market.”

Noah fights a grin, but I see the mischief in his eyes. “It’s a good day for all men.”

“All men, huh?”

He cocks his head to the side. “Well, at least I know one who’s happy about it.”

I pull my hair to the side and play with the ends. “He is?”

Noah’s finger elevates my chin. “He is, and he missed you.”

That’s sweet.

He’s sweet.

The things he said to me last week got me through today. I should tell him that. Seeing him right now brings everything I tried to bury back to the surface. The pieces of my heart that were trying to draw their battle lines are starting to pick sides.

I need to show him in some way that I may not act on it today, this week, or even this year, but he isn’t the only one feeling this. The mistakes of my past shouldn’t distort my possible future.

“She missed you, too. Maybe. A little.” I smile.

His hand drops, and I miss his touch. When I’m around Noah, it’s as if the issues in my life don’t exist. I don’t understand it, but my worries are easier to carry because he’s here.

Which is the most ridiculous thing, considering I barely know him. Yet, everything inside me tells me to trust my gut.

Something comes over me, and I have to kiss him. I push up quickly, fusing my lips to his. The force of my attack causes Noah to fly onto his back, and I land on top, kissing him. He holds me against him, and I allow myself to feel everything.

The way his tongue slides against mine makes my heart race.

He rolls us so we’re on our sides and takes over the kiss. I can’t move, and I don’t mind, either. My leg wraps around his hip as both of us lose control.

I’ve never had sex on the kitchen floor, but I’m game right now.

“Oh!” Nicole practically screams. “Well, okay then.”

I quickly sit up, pulling my clothes back to where they should be as she grins at me. “I was just looking for a snack.”

My hand slaps against my forehead. Really, Kristin?

“It looks like you found one.” She laughs. Nicole glances at Noah and then back to me. “We’re heading out, wanted to say goodbye.”

“Of course, we were coming.”

Nicole bursts out laughing. “You’re making this too easy.”

Noah gets to his feet and then helps me up. “You’re dead to me,” I whisper to Nicole as I pass her.

Once we’re all in the living room, Danielle hugs me and heads home. Nicole follows right after with her parting words of sexual appreciation. Heather, Eli, Noah, and I stand in the living room.

“So?” I shift my weight.

“We should get going,” Eli says, nodding at Heather.

“Yeah,” she agrees. “Noah?”

I look to him, not wanting him to leave. We need to talk about what just happened. I freaking attacked him on the floor. Normal people don’t do that on the day they get divorced. What is wrong with me?

“Do you think—” I say, but he speaks at the same time.

“I was going—”

Heather snorts. “Why don’t we leave you guys to talk? I know you’re behind on the article, right?”

I love her. She’s now my favorite.

“Yes. That’s what I was going to say.” I look to him. “We should probably talk a little and make plans for how we’re going to handle things.”

“Of course,” he agrees.

Eli lets out a mix of a laugh and a cough. “Good thing you brought your own car, Noah.”