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Reaching my hand out for Will’s, I gave it a firm shake. “It’s great seeing you again, Will.”
Glancing at Grace and then back at me, Will smiled. “You too, Noah. Hope to see you around more often.”
I gave Will a quick smile. “That’s my goal.” Taking a quick peek at Grace, I saw it on her face as well. I’d be spending a lot more time with Grace and her friends. When Grace and I started dating, I knew she was keeping our relationship on the down low with her friends. I didn’t mind because I knew she had her reasons at the time. The closer we got, the more I started coming around, until Grace got spooked.
We were finally together again, but we weren’t. Pushing it all from my mind, I wanted to enjoy tonight with her. I’d worry about our living arrangements later.
“So, midnight drive, my lady?” I asked as Grace gave me a naughty look.
Giving me a wink, she said, “That sounds amazing.”
Grace
After changing into a skirt, we walked out to Noah’s car. I couldn’t shake the ill feeling I had. So far this day had been like a dream come true. A dream I knew wasn’t going to last much longer.
Slipping into the front passenger seat, I worried on my lip. I didn’t want to think about Noah leaving me and heading back to Austin to help his mother die . . . alone.
Noah backed out of the driveway and began driving. I could tell his mind was weighing heavy also. If I had learned anything this last year at all, it was talking was the number one thing Noah and I had to do.
“Noah, we need to talk about our situation.”
Looking over at me quickly, Noah frowned. “What situation?”
“You in Austin. Me here. I only have three months left of school, but I feel like they are going to be the longest three months of my life and I don’t know if . . . well . . . if—”
“My mother will pass away before then?”
Turning to look out the front window, I whispered, “Yes.” Taking in a deep cleansing breath, I waited to get my emotions in check. The one thing Grams said to us girls that always stuck in my head was her advice on letting your emotions take over.
Take a deep breath. Count to five, then speak from your heart. Your heart never leads you astray.
Slowly blowing out the air, I closed my eyes before opening them and looking at Noah. “I don’t want to be away from you. I know that much. After seeing one of my best friends almost die and what Colt went through . . . I know how precious life is. I don’t want to waste another minute away from you.”
Noah quickly pulled into the parking lot of Target. Putting his car in park, he dropped his head back against the headrest. Shaking his head, he opened the car door and quickly got out.
Following his lead, I walked over to him. “Talk to me, Noah.”
Turning to face me, his eyes were filled with tears. “I won’t let you give up what you’ve worked so hard for, Grace. It’s only three months, baby. You’ll graduate and then we can take it from there. You’re not quitting school when you’re this close.”
Walking into his arms, I felt my tears slowly fall from my eyes. “I’m not quitting school, Noah. But I don’t want you to leave, and I know that is so selfish of me.”
Holding me close to his body, Noah kissed the top of my head. “Believe me, I don’t want to leave, but we will make this work. I promise, baby.”
Pulling my head back, I smiled and said, “I’m holding you to that promise.”
Noah smiled the sweetest smile as he placed his hand on the side of my face. “I knew the moment you first looked into my eyes, you were it.”
Grinning, I raised my eyebrows. “Oh yeah? What about on the beach? I saw you checking out my ass. You sure you weren’t all about that booty?”
Laughing, Noah shook his head before his eyes turned serious. Searching my face, Noah’s mouth turned up into a slight smile. “I was all about those eyes . . . those lips . . . that smile that makes my knees weak . . . your amazing laugh that rushes through my body and instantly makes me happier. It’s even your smart-ass remarks you make when I least expect them. You’re it for me, Grace. If I were to ever lose you again, I’d lose all control. I wouldn’t be able to live and breathe without you.”
Noah pressed his lips to mine as I let myself get lost in our kiss. Pulling back slightly, Noah spoke against my lips. “I love you, Grace Johnson.”
Smiling, I replied back. “I love you the most, Noah Bennet.”
Kissing me gently, Noah slowly pulled his lips back when we both needed air. “Impossible,” he whispered.
Noah and I spent the next forty-five minutes sitting on the grass leaning up against a tree in the parking lot of Target, talking about our future. Noah had a degree in business management and I picked his brain about Alex and I opening Wild Flower, our nursery in Mason.
