Page 82 of Make Me Dream of You

Noah looks at me, that smirk still on his lips. “Yes. Yes, we will.”

“She’s not going.”

“She says she feels fine.”

Bex glares at Wood over her waffles and eggs.

“Maybe it would be better for her to stay and rest,” Wood concedes.

“I really am feeling perfectly fine,” I say.

“You’re not going on a six-mile hike after almost drowning.” Bex takes an aggressively large bite of waffle.

“This is probably the only time I’ll ever say I agree with Bex,” Spencer says over his earl gray tea.

“An abomination that will certainly never happen again,” Bex says. “So, that settles it. You are staying here, and I will stay with you.”

“I can stay back, too. You know, just in case you need someone with medical training,” Jake chimes in.

“That’s so sweet of you.” Bex smiles at him.

He smiles back.

“Oh crud. Jake, I know you were really looking forward to the hike, I can stay back in that case. I am a nurse,” Macy says.

Spencer puts his hand over hers. “This is your vacation, too. The fresh air and exercise will be good for you.”

She nods, blinking up at him. “Yes, you’re right.”

“Cool. So, it’s just me, Macy, and Spencer. Cool, cool,” Wood says, chuckling as he shoves an entire strip of bacon in his mouth.

Noah’s tall figure darkens the stairwell as he ambles down the steps in black joggers. His dark hair is messy, circles under his eyes. Eyes that find me as soon as he saunters into the kitchen. My pulse quickens.

“Noah! You’re coming on the hike today, right?”

Noah chuckles while filling a mug with coffee. “No.”

Wood’s shoulders droop.

“This is ridiculous. I don’t want anyone missing out on a good time because of me.” I look at Bex, trying not to make eye contact with Noah again. “I will go lie down. I’ll stay in bed the rest of the day and just rest and read my book. I promise. No one needs to stay and look after me.”

“Are you sure?” she asks.

“Yes!”

“Okay.” She looks at Jake and then Wood. “Looks like we’re coming after all.”

“Oh good!” Macy bounces in her seat.

“Thank fuck,” Wood mutters under his breath.

Noah sits in the open seat directly across from me, his dark gaze is thick on my skin, heavy, impossible to ignore.

I pause, about to take a bite of waffle, fork midair. A heavy bead of syrup drips from my bite, slow and stringy down to my plate.

He bites his lip. “I’d like some of your syrup.”

I don’t move. I don’t blink. I’m not certain I’m breathing. Is he brazenly flirting with me at the breakfast table in front of everyone?

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