Pushing the Limits (Pushing the Limits #1)(34)

A stall door opened. A little old lady stared at me with pitying old eyes. “Boy troubles?”

I snatched a paper towel to wipe my eyes and hide my face. Gasping for air, I reminded myself that I’d come here to be normal, not a spectacle. “Yes.”

The old lady smiled at me in the mirror while washing her hands. “A pretty girl like you will find someone new quickly. By the way, I love your gloves. It’s not very often that you see a young person wearing them.” She left.

My cell phone vibrated in my back pocket. Luke texted me: Whr r u?

In the girl’s bathroom losing my mind. There was no way I could go back: 2 violent 4 me. shpg. Meet u aftr movie.

I waited a few seconds and my phone vibrated again: cool cu then.

Eight-thirty. I had two and a half hours to blow until the end of the movie. Seemed to be a recurring theme in my life.

The food court sat right next to the movie theater. I needed something to drink. But like an idiot, I’d brought no money, not even my purse. Luke insisted that I leave it at home. Blah, blah, blah … our first night to the movies together … blah, blah, blah … he would pay for everything … blah, blah, blah … he took me to see the worst movie ever …

The employees of the food court were cleaning and preparing to close. But some places stayed open to feed the night owls. I headed to one, the burger joint that had stools next to the counter.

I sat on a stool and watched some tall guy flip burgers. Lila would so love that cute butt. “Excuse me?”

The cook turned and I slid off my seat. “Noah?”

He flashed his wicked grin. “‘Sup, Echo. Miss me?”

I sat again. “No.” Kind of.

Noah scooped the burgers off the grill, placed them on some buns and called out a number. A lady came and carried the burgers away. He sauntered to the counter. “What can I do for you?”

The red bandana he wore held back the hair that typically covered his eyes. I loved his eyes. Chocolate-brown, full of mischief and a spark ready to light the world on fire. “Can I have a glass of water, please?” And please let it be free.

“Is that it?”

My stomach growled, loud enough for Noah to hear. “Yep, that’s it.”

He fixed me a glass and handed it to me. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like a burger? A nice thick burger on a toasted bun with salty fries on the side?”

I sucked on my straw, gulping the ice water down. Funny, water didn’t give me that warm, fuzzy, full feeling like a burger and fries would. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“Suit yourself. You see that nice-looking piece of meat right there?” He motioned to the patty frying. The aroma made my mouth water. “That’s mine. When it’s done, my shift for the day is over.”

He returned to the grill and lifted the fabulous patty onto a toasted bun, topping it with various vegetables. He then tossed an ample amount of French fries on the plate. “Hey, Frank. I’m outta here.”

Somebody called from the back, “Thanks, Noah.”

Noah slid his bandana and apron off and threw them into a container. He left his plate next to me on the counter, made himself a Coke and then walked around to take the seat beside me. “Shouldn’t you be on a date with your ape boyfriend?”

He bit into his burger. I watched every delicious movement. “I was. I mean, I am. Luke’s still in the movie theater. But he’s not my boyfriend. Not now. He was—a long time ago, but he’s not now. We’re just, you know, dating. Or something.” Right? And why was I rambling?

Noah chewed his food while he narrowed his eyes. “If you’re on a date, why aren’t you in there with him?”

I stared down at the fries. They looked so golden and crispy.

“Do you have any money?” he asked.

“What?”

He rubbed his fingers together. “Dinero? Cash? Do you have any on you?”

Unsure where this was headed, I shook my head. He reached over the counter and grabbed a knife. He cut the burger in half and slid the plate between us. “Here. Don’t bogart the fries.”

“Are you serious?”

Noah took another bite of his half. “Yeah. Don’t want my tutor to starve to death.”

I smacked my lips like a cartoon character and bit into the succulent burger. When the juicy meat touched my tongue, I closed my eyes and moaned.

“I thought girls only looked like that when they orgasmed.”

The burger caught in my throat and I choked. Noah stifled a laugh while sliding my water toward me. If only drinking it would erase the annoying blush on my cheeks.

“I think I missed your answer to my previous question. If you’re on a date, why are you out here sharing dinner with me while Luke’s in there fondling himself?”

I cleared my throat. “Do you always have to be so crude?”

“No. I’ll rein it in if you answer the question.”

“We were running late and I didn’t know what movie he’d chosen until it started. Enemies at War is a little too violent for me.” I stirred my water with my straw, focusing on sounding nonchalant while the images of war tortured my mind.

Noah balled up his napkin in his hand, his playful demeanor gone. “So why isn’t he out here with you?”

Good question. “I told him to stay and watch the movie. He’s been looking forward to it.”