How to Love Your Neighbour(68)

“So are you.”

Noah grinned.

She winced. “Not pretty,” she amended. “Well, you are. But also, you look great. I’m going to shut up now.”

Taking her hand, he brought it to his mouth, kissed the knuckles while keeping his gaze locked on Grace’s.

“Don’t do that. I like your voice.”

Okay. Smoothed over. First word jumble over and done. Chill out now. It’s just a date. Which you haven’t been on in a while. Anyone would be nervous.

He opened the door to his truck but before she slid in, he asked, “You really think I’m pretty?”

Looking up at him with a forced bland look, she poked him in the stomach. “Don’t start.”

“You make me laugh, Grace,” he said, leaning in to kiss her softly.

The way he said it, the way his lips lingered against hers, made her feel like however many high-profile dates he’d been on or how few dates she’d been on in the last few years just didn’t matter. She’d gotten to this point in her life by looking forward. She was learning to appreciate the moment, but nothing good came of looking back.

Noah backed out of her driveway. “Not going to ask where we’re going?”

She shook her head. “Nope. I like surprises.”

She got one when he reached over, took her hand, and threaded their fingers together. “Me too. Tell me something about you that no one else knows.”

Whatever she’d thought he might say, it wasn’t that. He really did want to know her. She thought about it for a few minutes, then turned her head in his direction. “When I was younger, I used to take any old magazines I could find or flyers and I’d cut out furniture, lamps, anything that went in a house really, and I’d glue them or tape them all on a piece of paper. Sometimes, if we didn’t have glue or tape, I’d just arrange each of the items on the floor.”

He sent her a quick glance before looking back at the road, just long enough for her to see the affection in his eyes. “That’s really sweet. I can actually picture you doing that because you leave little sketches everywhere. I found two on the back of napkins in my house yesterday.”

Grace laughed. “I don’t even realize I’m doing it. Your turn. Something no one else knows.”

She watched him, saw his jaw loosen, his fingers on the wheel tighten. “I’ve been helping Rob out with some community kids. We get together once a week to play basketball. There’s a tournament coming up to fundraise for a new building and I’m trying to get some big donations together.”

Her mouth fell open. “Why is that a secret?” Then she clapped her hands together. “This makes so much sense! Rosie thought she saw you leaving the basketball court when she went to pick up her nephew. He’s really struggling with his parents’ divorce. Lashing out and throwing attitude around. Noah, that’s really awesome.”

He was such an outgoing person, it surprised her to see the discomfort in his stiff shoulders and the firmness of his mouth. “I don’t know. I wanted something that was my own. Something that my brothers wouldn’t razz me about, saying I’d never keep up with it. As it is, Rob made me practically swear in blood I wouldn’t let them down.”

Grace worked to stymie her anger. When she felt like she could speak calmly, she said, “I think when people have magnetic, powerful personalities, people can make assumptions. I guess we do it for all personalities but just because you enjoy a party or socializing does not mean you’re unreliable.”

“Tell my brothers that. Shit. Sorry. No. My brothers are great. They just like giving me a hard time.”

“Sometimes we let how other people see us color how we see ourselves.”

“I agree. I’m trying to stop doing that. I’m working on making choices I want for myself rather than to make someone else happy.”

Her heart squeezed tightly. “Is that part of why you left New York?”

He turned down a street she recognized but she kept her eyes trained on him.

“That and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was always pushing for something but none of it had any meaning.” His fingers tapped the wheel.

“Is that different now?”

Once again, he looked her way. “Things seem pretty meaningful.”

Reaching over, she used the hand not holding his to stroke his arm. It was time to lighten the mood. “Speaking of meaningful, those brownies brought new meaning to my life.”

Noah’s chuckle filled the cab. “I saw your eyes widen when Stacey and Everly brought it up. “Were they good?”

Grace let out a deep sigh. “So very good.”

“Did you save me one?” He pulled onto the highway, piquing her curiosity.

“There might be a few left. I could probably split it. I’ll decide after the date.”

“Ouch. No pressure.” His lips twitched. “Fingers crossed I earn one.”

They settled into an easy silence, but the smile stayed on her face. If she didn’t think about how a relationship could derail all of her hard work, she’d be fine.

Noah took the exit for Venice Beach. Grace’s heart rate accelerated. “Are we going to Mi Casa?”

He turned his head, a wide smile giving her the answer. She bounced on the seat. “You’re going to love it!”