Page 122 of Make Me Dream of You

“Because it’s Noah!” Bex blurts.

I stagger back. It’s like the wind is knocked out of me at the same time I take a blow to the head, and nothing makes sense. My ears are ringing. I can barely keep my balance.

Macy is saying something about how backsliding with an ex is embarrassing but understandable and I am clutching my stomach. I think I might vomit.

“Are you okay, Livvy?” Bex asks, tilting her head.

“Yeah, you look really pale. Do you need something to eat? I have a granola bar.” Macy pulls a granola bar out of her pocket. Chocolate chip.

I’m definitely going to throw up.

“Oh, thank fuck!” Bex lets out a whooshing exhale, a brilliant white smile taking over her face, making the dimple in her left cheek deepen. “It’s negative.”

“Whew.” Macy puts her hand to her chest.

Bex throws the pregnancy test in the trash can. With a dreamy smile, she checks her hair in the mirror and reapplies her lip gloss. “All right, let’s go look at some apartments.”

CHAPTER 22

NOAH

This doesn’t look right.

Wood said it would be easy. Chicken marsala, his go-to dish to make when he really wants to impress a date. Delicious and easy, he said.

Yeah-fucking-right.

The mushrooms are supposed to be browning, but they just look sort of gray and wet? I’ve pounded the chicken, but fuck, I don’t think I did it right. Scratch that, I know I didn’t. There are parts that won’t flatten and others I can see through. And I’m supposed to dredge the chicken in flour? What the fuck does that even mean? Dredge. Jesus fuck.

I just wanted to make a nice dinner for Livvy so we can talk and I can apologize for what happened this morning. What I said was shitty and not even true. We don’t spend too much time together. I love that I get to see her all the time. She’s my favorite person, and all I want to do is spend time with her.

And I’m going to ask her to stay. To move in with me. For good.

Fuck, this chicken really doesn’t look right.

The front door bursts open, making me drop Wood’s little recipe card.

I knew she was upset when she left. I knew she was still upset since she hasn’t responded to my texts over the last several hours.

But I didn’t expect this.

Livvy keeps her head down as she walks directly toward the bedroom, avoiding eye contact. Not acknowledging me at all.

“Liv, hey.” I round the island, moving briskly to intercept her and reach for her hand.

She pulls it away.

When she looks up at me, her face is puffy. Her eyes are rimmed in red, still shiny.

Fuck.

I can’t breathe. It feels like my ribcage is compressing in on me.

“Liv, angel, no. Come here.” I go to her, opening my arms. I just need to hold her and fix this. Make it better.

She steps back, hardening her gaze and puffing up her chest. “I’m just here to get my things. I’m going to be staying at Spencer’s place with Bex and Macy.”

“What? No. You don’t need to do that. I don’t want you to do that. I know what I said this morning was?—”

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