Page 35 of The Stalker Snafu

“Friends?” Noah asked softly.

“Huh?” I dropped my arm and blinked at his stoic face as he pulled over to the curb in front of my dorm building.

“You told your mother I was a friend,” Noah said. His hand gripped the gearshift tighter than what seemed comfortable. “Before backtracking from even that.”

I winced, really not wanting to talk about my mother. “Yeah. It’s better if she doesn’t know I’m seeing anyone. She just… She wouldn’t understand.”

Noah nodded. “Of course.”

I let out a breath, happy that he got it.

He unlocked the doors, and I hesitated. I was so used to Noah opening the door for me, but he wasn’t budging from his seat and his eyes were still looking out the windshield. So I nudged the door open, grabbed my bag, and hopped out before quickly circling the hood of the car. I got to Noah’s door, but still no movement.

Okay, maybe he didn’t get it.

I tapped on his window, and Noah lowered it without a word.

“Do you wanna come inside?” I asked after a beat, hitching my bag higher on my shoulder.

He shook his head. “Can’t. I’m meeting up with friends for some poker tonight.”

“Poker?” I perked up. That sounded fun. “I’m not super familiar with the game, but if you want more company⁠—”

“It’s a six-person table, and we’re full,” Noah answered, adjusting one of the many settings on his car’s touchscreen.

Ouch. Okay, then.

I shifted my weight, digging the toes of my Keds into the pavement. “Okay. I guess I’ll see you later, then. Thanks for everything with my head and all. I appreciate it.”

I leaned down to give him a kiss, but Noah was already looking away and shifting the car out of park.

“Feel better, Emma,” was all he said, before the window rolled up as he pulled away from the curb.

He took off down the street, and I stood frozen on the sidewalk—staring at the spot where his car had been. My throat closed, and it wasn’t until I reached my dorm that it truly sank in.

This was the first time Noah didn’t walk me to my door.

CHAPTER 12

A Warning

Dear Diary,

What’s that saying? When it rains, it pours?

1. Noah isn’t talking to me.

2. I still have no clue why I’m being stalked. But I think Mr. Tall, Dark and Deadly got the hint, because I haven’t seen him for a few days now.

3. Mrs. Sterling called today. Apparently, Miles is really taking to his riding lessons and has even started learning polo. He doesn’t have time for piano anymore, so I’m down to zero clients.

4. I asked Mr. Everton if I could get some extra shifts, but he couldn’t make any promises.

Life kinda sucks right now.

On the bright side, I found an extra stash of Red Vines hidden in my dorm. And Westcroft gives away enough free pizza at events that it’ll tide me over for a little, because the last thing I want to do is dip into The Noah Fund for food money.

And, no, I’m not giving up coffee.