Page 45 of After All This Time

“Okay, I’m going to need a barf bag.” My body grows increasingly stiff as I gulp down a quarter of my iced tea.

“Now, you’re staring at his lips. And bam! You guys start making out. And shit escalates from there.”

Never going to happen.

“Are you sure you’re not a romance author?”

“Unfortunately, no. That’s your department.”

A small smile appears on my face. “As much as I don’t want to go home, I have to check and make sure Noah didn’t destroy anything.”

“He’s not a dog,” she says.

“I’m not so sure about that one.”

I get up from the chair with Bella following suit.

We walk out of Kailani’s and stand in front of my car.

“If you ever need to rant to me about Noah, don’t. I’m just kidding. Rant all you want. I know your mom is looking out for you. She wouldn’t have done this if she didn’t think it was right.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

She lowers an eyebrow. “I’m always right.”

I get into my car, sitting in the driver’s seat and rolling down the window. “I’ll update you when I can.”

“I’d appreciate that,” she tells me.

I wave to her. “Bye.”

“Bye.”

My drive home is a bit more peaceful than the drive to Kailani’s. That is until I pull up in my driveway and realize Noah’s going to be inside.

What the hell is Bella thinking? Hate sex with my childhood rival? Oh God, I’m going to throw up. Figuratively. Not literally. Like, why would she suggest that?

Glancing out my window, the sky is full of pinks, purples, and oranges. The sunsets here have always been so beautiful.

This one feels more special.

Thanks for lighting up the sky, Ben. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my family.

Walking into the house, I see Noah sprawled on the sofa. My sofa.

“Glad to see you made yourself at home!” I shout.

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters under his breath, taking his wireless earbuds out.

“Yeah, how does it feel to get scared shitless?”

He rolls his eyes and flips me off, licking his lips. “I thought you’d never come back.”

“Yeah, well, I never thought you’d be in my space. But, here we are.”

“Just admit you love me being in your space.”

“I hate that you’re in my space.”

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