Page 45 of Falling With a Spin

Emma

“Okay, here is your bowl of my most fancy stovetop ramen.” Hunter hands me the bowl, and between the steam and the spices, I can smell my stomach rumbling with hunger. “Does your stomach ever stop making noises?” He quirks an eyebrow up at me.

“Apparently not.” Laughter bubbles out of me. I take the chopsticks and scoop a small amount of noodles, blowing on them lightly before taking a bite.

I close my eyes, savoring the goodness because this is, in fact, fancy stovetop ramen.

“Holy fuck.” I moan and take another bite. “What did you put in this?”

“Red pepper flakes, garlic powder, sesame seeds, one scrambled egg, chili powder, and just a few other secret ingredients.” His voice is rough and husky as he avoids my gaze.

“Well, it's definitely the best ramen I’ve ever had. So, thank you.” I smile at him, and a small blush crosses his cheeks.

My mind drifts back to the night we went out for karaoke. After everything happened, including running into Chad and Caleb standing by, not doing anything, Hunter drove us back to his house. All of us watched a bunch of Disney movies. I somehow ended up falling asleep with my head in Hunter's lap as he combed his fingers through my hair. When I woke up, I was still on the couch with a blanket wrapped around me, a strong arm around my waist, and a limp hand in my hair. I looked up to see Hunter's head back and his mouth slightly opened, snoring softly. I turned to get up, only for his arm to tighten around me and keep me where I was. When I eventually pried it off and got up, all the boys and Taylor were looking at me with wide grins on all of their faces. Matt was even holding a Polaroid camera that had a picture developed already. I shook my head and smiled; that was the first night that I slept without nightmares plaguing me.

Since then, these feelings I can’t quite describe have started to stir in me, and I’m not sure what to make of it or if he is just comforting a friend. I need to ask him about this. I glance toward him and see the time on the clock.“Oh shit, I need to get going. I have work in forty-five minutes..” I quickly down the rest of the ramen and pack up my bag.

“Crap, I’m so sorry,” Hunter takes the bowl from me and places it on his desk. “Do you want me to drop you off?”

“If you could, that would be amazing.” I normally drive to his house, but my car is in the shop. I heard this weird noise the other day, and ever since then, my music hasn’t been able to drown it out.

“It’s not a problem at all. Come on, let's go.” He takes my bag from me and grabs my hand as we walk out of the house to his car.

We pull into the coffee shop with only a few minutes to spare. Hunter puts the car in park and looks at me, “Tomorrow instead of meeting at our houses why don’t we meet at the library?”

“Yeah, that works with me.” I bend down, grab my bags, and open the door. “Thank you again for dropping me off.”

“Anytime, Love.” He gives me a heartstopping smile.

“You don’t list really well do you?”

“What was that?” He asks.

Rolling my eyes I close the door, pretending that there isn’t a small blush isn’t filling my face.

I quickly walk through the doors, head back to clock in, and throw my stuff on the desk. Throwing my hair up in a ponytail and tying my apron, I walk out of the backroom and get greeted with a big smile from Laney. Giving her a questioning look, I look behind me because I’m quite concerned as she has never been like this with me.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Oh, I’m just so great. Today is amazing and there are just so many amazing things.” She squeals and starts jumping up and down.

“Laney, calm down what is going on with you,” Laughter escapes me as I watch her excitement over whatever it is.

“I saw you get out of that boy's car.” She whispers, eyes gleaming with joy.

That’s it? That is what has her all excited?

“Okay, and that is what has you all excited?” I question

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“No, it’s not.” I give her a straight face, all amusement gone.

“He’s why you've been so upbeat and peppy lately.” She rolls her eyes as if that could be the only explanation.

“That’s not true,” I cross my arms over my chest. “Life has just been great lately.”

“Mhm. Whatever you say.” She teasingly says and walks away from and to the back.

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