Page 28 of Make Me Dream of You

I glance at him and he’s watching me, his cheek leaning against his hand. Those eyes surrounded by dark lashes are pulling me in again.

“So, I should find some nude models? Got it,” he says with a grin. “Maybe that should be my new pick-up line at the bar.”

I smile and nod, but at the same time, a knot forms in my stomach. I hate it. Even just the mention of it as a joke. Was he joking? He was probably joking. Hopefully.

I’m being stupid, I know. He’s been with women, obviously. And he’s seen them naked. But the idea of him seeking out someone new—of drawing them—irks me. Even though it’s irrational.

“I’ll pose for you.” The words are out of my mouth before I even think them.

What are you doing, Livvy?

He looks at me, a tiny crease between his brows. Blood is rocketing through my veins.

“Really?” he asks.

“Yeah. Why not?”

Why not? What the actual fuck, Livvy?

He licks his bottom lip and there’s silence for a beat. Then another. Oh my god what did I do?

“Okay,” he says, low. “When were you thinking?”

I want to scream, I wasn’t thinking! But instead, I say, as cooly as possible, “When’s the next night we both have off?”

He stills, mouth slightly open. Me too, Noah. Me too.

“Uh, Thursday, I think,” he says.

“Thursday, then,” I say.

“All right,” he says, nodding.

And we just kind of look at each other and he’s so beautiful and I think I’m going to throw up.

The chime of the bell breaks the stillness in the air.

We look toward the door at the same time, not expecting anyone this late on a Monday night. In fact, we should have locked up half an hour ago.

Mark, the bouncer from the bar, walks in, giving me a small smile and a wave.

“The fuck?” Noah mutters under his breath.

“Oh!” Right. Shoot! I completely forgot. “Hi,” I say, standing up.

Noah stands with me, that crease between his brows deepening.

“Hey, you ready?” Mark asks.

“Yep.”

Noah leans in and whispers, “What’s going on?”

“He’s picking me up for a date.”

Mark had shyly come up to me Saturday after I said I was quitting and asked for my number.

“A date?” Noah checks the time. “Isn’t it a little late for a date? On a Monday?”

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