Just as predicted, I walk through the door of The Pie Shop and the little bell ringing over my head alerts
Noah to my presence. The sudden force of his gaze threatens to level me when he looks up from the counter where heโs writing in a little notepad. A classic little notepad for the classic man. His eyes lock with mine and BOOM, grumpy face. Itโs good he doesnโt smile. I wouldnโt be able to stay standing if he did. But thisโฆthisย I can make do with.
I approach the counter slowly. Heโs a lion Iโve just encountered in the wild. โHiiii,โ I say, stepping closer, one little scooting step at a time. He doesnโt say anything, just lifts a brow. I try not to tremble.
When I get close enough, I lay both bouquets on the counter like an offering right next to where his muscular forearms are resting. My eyes get tangled up with the light dusting of masculine hair on them. The hairs are so blond, fine, and unobtrusive you have to be close enough to see them. My mind reminds me unhelpfully that I am close enough to see them, along with the shadow his baseball cap casts over his eyes, nose, and cheekbones. The scruff of his jaw is a little more prominent than it was yesterday,
telling me he might not have gone home after sitting by my bedside all night. I donโt want to acknowledge why the thought of Noah worrying about me through the night sends a shiver through my body.
His eyes drop to the bouquets and then back up to my face. โFlowers?โ
โFor you,โ I say, scooting the bouquet I made for him closer before clasping my hands behind my back and rocking lightly on my heels. โAn apology-slash-thank-you for taking care of me last night.โ I tip my shoulder. โAnd I know you like flowers. Annie told me you buy a bouquet from her several times a week.โ
He doesnโt shift even an inch. โJust to be clear, I do it to help her. Not because Iโm obsessed with flowers or anything.โ
I widen my eyes at that incredible word. โObsessed,โ I say, letting it dissolve pleasantly on my tongue. โSure youโre not,โ I say, nodding and squinting my eyes.ย Play, play, play.
His eyes narrow. โAre you taunting me?โ
โIโm just not sure why youโre ashamed to admit youโre obsessed with flowers.โ I press my lips together against a smile.
โIโm notโโ He starts to say in an impassioned tone, rising up to his full height and taking the bait before realizing Iโm just goading him. He grunts and crosses his arms.ย Hello, Surly Pose. Itโs lovely to see you today.ย โI like them. Iโm not obsessed.โ
I mirror his stance, and itโs too much fun. โItโs okay to admit your deep infatuation. I wonโt force you to give up your man card.โ
The hint of a smirk touches his mouth now. Heโs on to me. โI own a pie shop. You think I give a shit about man
cards?โ He looks over his right shoulder, โPlease,โ and then back to me.
โIf thatโs trueโฆthen why so hesitant to fess up to your flower obsession? Annie claims you think sheโs at risk of bankruptcy, but do you want to know what I think?โ
โPretty sure youโre going to tell me no matter what.โ
โIย think,โ I begin in a fervent courtroom tone, โyou very well know just how many people love and support her shop, and that her flower business is doing just fine. I think, good sir, that you use your brotherly care as a disguise for yourโฆโ I let the word hang as we stare at each other. โObsession.โ
He leans his palms on the counter, angling himself closer. Something sweet and warm crackles in the air between us. โI thinkโฆmy obsessions are none of your business.โ
โAha!โ I hold up a finger toward his face. โSo you admit it?! Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you heard it from his own mouth!โ
To my complete shock, Noah hooks his finger around mine, lowering them both slowly down onto the counter. Too many sensations mingle in that small touch, and when he doesnโt immediately remove his finger from mine after theyโre finally resting on the counter, my heart gives out. I flatline. Someone get the stretcher.
A grin hovers on the side of his mouthโa lovely addition to the dark shadow his hat casts over his eyes. โI like the way they make my house smell.โ
I canโt say anything. Iโm frozen in this moment with Noah softly gazing at me, the skin of his hand against mine, and memories of his hungry kiss swimming in my mind. I never want it to end. โAnd your mom loved flowers, right?โ
Nothing, and I do mean nothing, could have been worse to say in this moment. A silence so menacing drops between us that it practically takes on a physical form. It would be a man gnarled with scars and slapping a baseball bat against his enormous calloused hand. I should run screaming in the opposite direction. Instead, I watch, holding my breath as Noahโs brows pinch together and he rises to his full height again, removing his hand from mine. He doesnโt acknowledge what I said, and maybe thatโs for the best since I didnโt mean for it to come out. He turns away and disappears into the kitchen without another word.
I mentally punch myself for acting like I was close enough to him to bring up his painful past like that. Like I had any right to call attention to it, let aloneย knowย that his mom loved flowers and isnโt around anymore. How vulnerable he must feel now.
Great job, Big Mouth. Real cool. Canโt you just be normal for like a second and not ruin it?
I should leave. In fact, I will.
But after picking up the bouquet of flowers Annie gave me, I decide that now I have two things to apologize for and set the flowers back down next to the other bouquet. After I cross the shop and open the front door, Noah calls out to me while reemerging from the back. โYouโre leaving?โ
I freeze and look back at him. Heโs holding two plates with a slice of pie on each one. โI thoughtโฆI thought you were mad and it was better if I left.โ
He rolls his eyes with a little hint of a smile before gesturing toward the slices of pie. โI was just getting you a slice of pie. If youโre interested, that is?โ He moves around the counter and out into the main portion of the shop,
setting the plates down on the two-seater table near the window. One plate is uncovered and the other has plastic wrap over it.
โSomething you need to know about me,โ he begins in a softer tone than Iโve heard him use yet. โIโm not talkative.โ I give a mock gasp of surprise, which makes him grin. โAnd I donโt like talking about personal stuff when Iโm not prepared for it. Sometimes I need a minute to process when Iโm caught off guard. But if Iโm actually mad, Iโll tell you. I donโt believe in the silent treatment when it comes to stuff like that.โ
Iโm still standing halfway out the door because I canโt move. Iโm overloaded with how incredible and heartfelt that speech was. I donโt think Iโve ever had a man articulate his emotions so well to me before. I didnโt even realize that was something I should expect or hope for. Itโs clear that thereโs so much more to Noah than his Surly Pose and burnt orange truck. Heโs obsessed with flowers. Is protective. Feels deeply, but prefers to keep it to himself.
And damn if I donโt find all that sexy as hell.
He lifts his eyebrows when I donโt respond. โSo. You in or out, pop star? If youโre in, turn that Open sign around and lock the door on your way back in. Itโs my lunch break.โ
I laugh and step away from the door, letting it fall shut behind me before flipping the sign and the lock. โWith your accent, it sort of makes it sound like you just called me a Pop-Tart.โ
โNo, definitely not.โ He takes his seat and then flashes me a grin. โI actually like Pop-Tarts.โ
I laugh and throw a pepper packet from the table at his head. It bounces off his cheek and hits the floor. Noahย tsks while leaning over to retrieve it. โBringing up my family
historyย andย littering in my pie shop. And to think this is how Iโm rewarded for keeping your ass safe last night.โ
โI already bought you flowers for that. My debt is paid in full.โ I sit down opposite him, realizing belatedly that this tiny table makes it so our legs are pressing up against each other. I would move mine, but heโs not moving his. So there they stay.
I clear my throat. โSo is this my farewell pie?โ Looking up, I see his confused expression. โI assumed you asked me to come here today because Iโve been a pain in your ass and you want me out of your house tonight instead of Monday morning.โ It physically hurts to think of leaving this town the day after tomorrow. Itโs too soon.
Noah chuckles. Actually chuckles. Itโs so deep and rumbly I imagine pressing my palm to his chest and feeling the laugh while hearing it. The complete experience. โYouโre definitely a pain in my ass. But Iโm not kicking you out. In fact, just the opposite.โ Noah nervously licks his lips. โDo you remember anything you said last night?โ
I didnโt until he asked. But at his questioning, my memories hit me in bursts.
My mom only likes me for my money. Iโm drowning and no one sees me.
You donโt like me anyway.
Ohhhhhh I hate all those words. Theyโre so raw and vulnerable they make my skin itch. And thatโs why I lie right through my pearly white teeth. โNo. I donโt remember.โ
He studies me closely, and I must have a better poker face than I realize because he seems to believe me. โWell, youโโ Before he can finish, thereโs a knock on the door. Noah looks out the window at the same time I do, finding two middle-aged men peering through the door. Noah
ignores them so I do, too. Especially because I have got to know what he was going to say. The way he left it lingering has me terrified that Iโm not remembering everything there is to remember from last night, and maybe I pulled my pants down and mooned him or something. Or worseโฆdid I hit on him?!
โYouโre killing me. What did I say last night?โ I ask as blunt as the knife edge piercing my gut. Dramatic? No. Not when thereโs a potential memory of mooning hanging in the balance.
He scratches his neck, the exact appendage I want to strangle at this moment until he tells me what I said and did.
โYou told me you wereโฆโ He looks up, seeing my horrified expression, and then smiles softly. โTired.โ
Noah has a poker face, too. We might as well be wearing neon visors and clutching cards to our chests. We stare at each other, wondering who will fold first. If I admit to knowing I never once said the wordย tiredย to him last night, then heโll know I remember my blubbering vomit of emotions and weโll have to discuss it. Iโd rather not. And I think heโd rather not as well.
โAhโtired, yes,โ I say, pushing my poker chips into the middle of the table.ย I call.
He grins. โSo I was thinkingโฆin light of you being soโฆ
tiredโโ
Our conversation is interrupted again by more knocks on the door and I want to groan. A small crowd of townspeople are starting to gather out there. โShould we let them in?โ
โNo,โ he says with a shake of his head and then frowns at the window where at least ten people have gathered, gesturing for Noah to open the door. โNo!โ he says sternly.
โIโm closed for lunch. Go away!โ He swats at the air but they donโt flee.
Itโs hard to focus but Iโm determined to hear where this conversation is going. Noah has the same thought so he adjusts his chair, positioning himself so his back is to the window. I do the same. Now weโre nearly shoulder to shoulder. This is excruciating.
โAnywayโฆI, uhโฆI thought about it, and Iโm okay with you staying with me until your car is fixed.โ
โYou are?โ I ask, turning my face to look at him. Weโre so close I can see the tips of his eyelashes.
He nodsโpoker face still in place. โThe guest room is yours if you want it. Andโฆโ He gives his throat a big uncomfortable clearing. โIfโฆyou want a tour guide, I moved some things around and have some free time now.โ
Now Iโm blinking as if someone has just flashed a camera in front of my eyes. โAll because Iโmโฆtired?โ
My mind autocorrects that wordย tiredย toย lonely,ย and I think itโs doing that in Noahโs head, too, but heโs too kindhearted to say it out loud. Heโs playing along in a way that makes me feel safe and I just want to know why. Anyone might have heard my sloppy speech last night and chosen to look the other way. What I said to him is messy and complicated. Instead, heโs choosing to extend a hand to me in the water.ย I see you.
Still, past experience has me wary to believe his good intentions. โAre you planning to sell the story of my visit to a tabloid? Did someone offer you an exclusive?โ
He looks deeply offended. Maybe even angry.ย โNo.โ
โThe pill I meant to take last night was a migraine medication. Iโve been getting them from all the stress and my doctor says I should take more breaks and get more
rest, but I chose medication instead. Thatโs a pretty juicy story, are you sure you donโt want to sell it?โ
โWhy would I do that?โ His voice is stern again. Irritated that I wonโt believe his kindness.
I laugh sharply. โBecause anyone else in the world would. My own mom has sold personal stories about me to tabloids on multiple occasions.โ I didnโt mean to say that last part, and I wince lightly at my slip. My poker face falters a hair and I think he can see my cards.
Noahโs eyes are soft when I look at him. He shakes his head the tiniest amount. โNot me. I would never do that to you.โ
Oh no. Those are good words. Too good. I feel my heart trying to suck them all up at a frantic pace. Itโs dangerous to let myself believe him, and yet, I do.
Iโm not sure what he sees in my face, but it causes his expression to soften. He lays his cards faceup and he has a winning hand. โYou can trust me, Amelia. I wonโt exploit yourย tiredness.โ
And now, Iโm beginning to think heโs not wrong about that choice of word. I am tired. Tired of loneliness. Tired of distrust. Tired of being taken advantage of. And tired of hiding myself from everyone all the time.
โOkay,โ I say, while looking down at my pie and scooping a bite onto my fork. If I say more than that, Iโll cry. And Iโve had enough vulnerability for the last twenty-four hours without needing to add tears to it as well.
โOkay? So youโre staying.โ
โIโm staying.โ My stomach does a little flip.
Noah lets out a breath almost like heโs relieved. And then pulls that classic little notebook he was writing in from his back pocket and sets it on the table between us. โYou should write down a few things you want to do while
youโre here. So we have a plan.โ Itโs adorable how awkward he is right now. He wonโt make eye contact with me and itโs painfully obvious that talking with me this much has him wanting to crawl out of his skin. I should let him off the hook and tell him he doesnโt have to spend time with me. But Iโll die before I do that, because even though itโs the worst idea in the world, I want to spend as much time with him as I can while Iโm here.
โBecause youโre my tour guide,โ I say, taking the notebook.
He fights a smile. โBecause Iโm your tour guide.โ
Iโm already busy trying to think of everything I want to do while Iโm here. Do I want to be restful or adventurous? Do I want to hide or see more of the town? I think some combination of all of it.
โOh, but just one thing.โ
Annnnnd here it is. The catch. The hammer. The thing he wants in return. I knew it was too good to be true.
Noah leans slightly toward me and lowers his voice like maybe all the Peeping Toms outside the window will hear us or read his lips. โThe other night. When I told you I wasnโt on the market.โ My cheeks flush a little at the memory. โI meant that. And I think itโs best if right out of the gate we get things straight. This isnโt going to turn into anything romantic between us. Itโs justโฆfriendship.โ
I should be disappointed that my summer camp crush isnโt interested in me. But Iโm not. Because little does he know, friendship is exactly what I want. What Iย need.
โPerfect,โ I tell him, feeling lighter than Iโve felt in years.
And then thereโs a firm knock on the window, making us both jump and look over our shoulders. Mabel has her nose pressed into the glass, and her brows pulled together
sternly. โNoah Daniel Walker,โ she says, sounding slightly mu๏ฌed from the glass. โYou better open up. You know I get low blood sugar.โ
He sighs at her nose print on the glass. โBatshit crazy town.โ He smiles, and itโs clear that he means that as nothing but affectionate.
Thatโs when I notice the slice of pie sitting in front of him covered in plastic wrap. โWere you planning to eat that?โ
โNo,โ he says, standing from the table. โItโs for someone else Iโm meeting just as soon as I take care of these loons.โ
โYou know? I canโt help but feel itโs completely unfair that youโre allowed to have so many secrets when I continue to spill mine.โ
โSounds like a you problem,โ he says with zero smile but amusement running through his voice, straight into the pit of my fluttery stomach.
Noah lets me borrow his truck to drive back to his place, and with the windows down and a smile on my face, the strangest thing happens to me. I catch myself singing along to the radio. Something I havenโt felt like
doing in a while.
