Page 84 of Catching My Dreams

She nodded and wrapped her arms around herself. “I think being around people will actually help.”

“Okay, but we can leave whenever you want to.”

It turned out that Ella didn’t last long at all. She enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by their friends at first, finding comfort in familiar faces, but the press of their worried gazes quickly wore her nerves down.

They’d all gathered in the living room, but everyone was quiet, clearly not knowing what to say. It felt like a gathering after a funeral. Nobody saying much. Nobody smiling. The kind of heavy silence that was only interrupted by quiet murmurs. Ella couldn’t stand it.

“I’m really tired,” she finally blurted out. “I think I’m going to try get some sleep.”

They all nodded, watching silently as she and Noah walked out of the room. She felt the weight of their eyes like knives pressing into her skin.

“Should I bring Archie’s water bowl?” Noah asked her.

“Oh.” Ella looked down at the Yorkie trotting beside her. Riley had brought his things as promised, and she’d been thoughtful enough to fill one of his bowls with water when they’d joined her and the others. “That’s a good idea.”

Rather than waiting where she was while he got it from the kitchen, Ella followed Noah much in the same way that Archie followed her around. She felt attached to him. Unable to be without him for longer than a few seconds. It was pathetic.

“Do you think your dad and stepmom would mind if we have dinner in the pool house?” she asked Noah once they were back in the room they’d stolen from Riley.

“Of course not,” he replied, placing Archie’s bowl beside the closed door. “They’ll understand.” He straightened and walked over to her, placing his hands on her waist. “What can I do?”

Ella swallowed. “Can we just lie on the bed? I really am tired.”

“Of course.”

He toed off his shoes and got onto the bed without another word, patting the spot beside him once he was settled. Ella took off the flip-flops she’d borrowed from Riley’s closet and lay down next to him, resting her head on his chest.

He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. Archie, not one to be left out, jumped onto the bed and curled up at Ella’s feet.

“Noah?”

“Mhm?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

She closed her eyes, letting the exhaustion take over her body. “For being here.” For not abandoning her like her parents. For taking care of her. For caring enough to worry about her.

“Always,” he promised, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“I love you,” she murmured sleepily.

“I love you too.”

Ella smiled, and if he said anything after that, she didn’t hear it.

24

Noah woke up to Ella struggling against him. He’d been holding her in his sleep, but as soon as his brain woke up enough for him to realize what was happening, he moved his arm from where it had been wrapped around her stomach.

His hand had been under her shirt, pressed against her warm skin, and her eyes snapped open when he removed it. The room was still well-lit, the sun yet to set, but Ella’s eyes darted around as though searching for a familiar shape in the dark.

“It’s just me,” he said, careful to keep his voice soft.

She rolled onto her back, her head turning toward him. “Noah?” she asked once her breathing had slowed.

“It’s me,” he repeated, longing to reach out to her but not knowing how she would react to his touch. “It’s just me.”

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