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“You like the view.” He says as if he doesn’t believe it.
“Yes. I like it here. Why do you seem surprised?”
“No one likes it here. It’s a dirt, uneven road leading uphill away from civilization surrounded by the trees, which means plenty of bugs and very little sunlight.”
I look down and around my feet. “Do any of them bite?”
“Probably.”
“Will it kill me?”
“I don’t think so.”
I shrug. “I’ll see you inside.”
With a headshake, he heads inside and closes the door. A second later, a light turns on outside the garage, illuminating my surroundings.
But I don't take the bait. I stare out into the darkness. I think about Pepper and what more I could do for her. Chase was right, she did end up curling up to me on the sofa by the end of the evening, praising me for everything I’m doing and for putting up with her.
And no. There will not be any birds or rice tossing of any kind at her wedding.
I still feel awful. There’s no way I could bring my parents back, but if there was a way I could help bring hers back, I wouldn't hesitate. It would be the least I could do after everything she’d done for me.
Like giving me a reason to love this town again.
I hear a splash in the distance and it takes me a moment to realize it’s coming from the back of the house. I walk around the perimeter until I reach the deck. My heels click on the steps as I climb and find Noah in the hot tub.
His back is turned to me. His hair is wet and slicked back. He walks to the edge and grips the rim, flexing his biceps as he pushes off. He drops his head and it’s almost like he’s…burning off steam.
“Why are you so angry with me?”
He turns, his blue eyes finding me instantly.
My mouth drops. How can he look so hot and so enraged at the same time? What kind of species is he?
“I’m not angry with you. I disagree with a lot of your choices.”
“I haven’t made any choices.”
“I saw you getting cozy with Landon.”
Is he jealous? Impossible.
And if he heard the conversation, he’d laugh. Landon had nothing to talk about except hockey and what commercials his agent is trying to land him. My immediate instinct is to assure him he has nothing to worry about. That I'm not interested in Landon or Pepper's plans to set me up.
But then I remember our fight at the restaurant.
“We…were…solidifying plans,” I say, a little too smugly.
That was so weak. If there was ever a time Noah calls bullshit on me. This would be it.
His glare turns hard. “You think you’re ready for that?”
“Yes, dad, I think I am.”
Landon was sweet and not as intimidating as I thought he would be. He was more like a big teddy bear, but still not my type.
“Charlie. You can’t just sleep with someone to cross it off your list.”
