Page 26 of Until Then

Because I would.

If I went back, if I spent one more day with Noah Hayden, I would’ve fallen. Utterly and completely.

I don’t tell him any of it, merely whisper, “Can my reasons stay my own?”

His mouth tightens, but he dips his chin. “A truce then. We tolerated each other for a day before. We can do it again.”

He flashes me a soft grin, like he’s trying to lighten the mood.

Maybe he is.

The Noah I met was a witty, easygoing guy. I’m starting to think that’s just him. I’d believe it encapsulated all the man save for the glimmer of secrets behind the light in his eyes.

We drift across the floor. More couples randomly join, laughing and spinning for fun. I almost let the awkward history between us fall when I accidentally stumble on Noah’s shoe, and he’s forced to catch me before I tumble to the ground.

For half a breath we laugh. Together.

Then I straighten and catch the cool, gray eyes of a man in the corner. My pulse quickens. “Why?”

Noah follows my gaze. “What’s wrong?”

My throat goes dry, like I swallowed too much air, too fast. “Um, that’s . . . that’s Jasper.”

“Your douche of an ex?”

I can only nod.

The woman who’s sitting beside my ex-fiancé doesn’t look familiar. She must be related to Briar or Tyrell somehow.

Jasper holds my stare, looking like he won some great victory, and lifts his glass.

He’s horrible.

All those words he used to spew my way flood back.

The insults disguised as gifts, like gym memberships, clothes two sizes too small, nail appointments, and vouchers for plastic surgery.

The way the man cut me at the knees, subtly telling me I was not enough for his world, left me bleeding out before I even knew he’d taken the strike.

I freeze in Noah’s hands.

Noah.

The man who didn’t want to share his life because he didn’t want to freak me out.

The man who told me I was stunning, beautiful when he didn’t need to.

The man who stole the pain of the past for a night and filled it with something brighter.

“Wildfire,” he whispers.

I blink, embarrassed by the tears in my eyes. All the mental work I’ve done to feel okay with myself, to feel a little worthy, cracks and splinters, and I’m going to crumble.

In front of everyone.

No. Not on Briar’s special night.

I take a step back, forcing a smile. “Um, since the dinner is over, I think I’m going to convince my partying mom and grandma we better get home.”

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