Page 45 of Make Me Dream of You

I don’t say anything for a beat.

Her cheeks deepen to a dark crimson. “Oh.” she says suddenly. “That’s none of your business or concern, Noah.”

Fuck. “You’re right.”

I’m breathing rapidly. I’m standing too close. I can smell her perfume mixed with the strawberry scent of her hair.

“Obviously.” She crosses her arms and quirks an eyebrow.

“Also, he’s so loud and you’re so… you’re so?—”

“I’m so what?” She doesn’t break eye contact. She’s even more adorable when she scowls. And it draws attention to her pouty red lips…

I drag my gaze back up from her mouth. “You’re so…” Shit. “Quiet and reserved. It just doesn’t make sense, you two.”

“Well, it’s a good thing it doesn’t need to make sense to you, then.” She twists the knob behind her, and I almost stumble when she opens the door I’ve been leaning on. “Good night, Noah. Don’t wait up for me.”

I’m not waiting up for her.

I’m not.

I’m simply up in the loft at one in the morning taking notes on the difference between Monet and Manet. And, no, I didn’t know there was a contemporary of Monet named Manet who was also a French impressionist painter until fifteen minutes ago, either.

Keys rattle in the door downstairs, and then it opens with the sounds of laughter.

Bex is at work, and it’s too early for her, anyway. It could be Wood coming home with his date. But I already know—I know that laugh is Livvy’s.

I start down the steps to, I don’t know, greet her? See if she’s still mad at me? To say sorry?

But they’re there, standing in front of the door, arms wrapped around each other. He’s kissing her. And she’s kissing him back. More than a peck. More than a simple good night kiss. It’s a probably-leading-to-more kiss.

It’s a they-don’t-want-me-around kiss.

I don’t want to be around for it, either.

So, I turn to go back up to the loft to give them privacy.

But then Livvy lets out a low grunt and says, “Ow. That hurts.”

Black seeps in around the edges of my vision and I’m crossing the apartment toward them. I don’t even recall going down the steps.

In an instant I’m between them, pushing Anthony away and keeping Livvy at my back.

I yank at his shirt and pull him up to my face.

Pulse pounding. Blood red hot in my veins.

Fist shaking.

I can barely think.

Barely talk.

Anthony looks up at me in shock.

I look him dead in the eye. “I don’t care if you are my friend. You hurt her—I will end you.”

CHAPTER 9

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