Page 41 of Fall From Grace

Me:Yeah.

I didn’t text him what I really wanted to say: that I broke up with Dustin.

Noah:Do u care if I call?

Me:Go ahead.

I coughed a few times and straightened out my voice before it started ringing. I answered immediately. “Hey,” I breathed.

“Hey.” His voice sounded lively. “Seemed kinda pointless to text each other after going so long without hearing your voice.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Don’t let Dustin be an ass about me taking you home.”

“I’m not,” I told him.

“You looked beautiful tonight… You were always my favorite thing to look at though,” his voice sounded like it had gotten deeper just now.

“Noah.” I couldn’t stop smiling as I covered my face for the billionth time because my face was so warm.

“I shouldn’t be saying that to you when you’re with Dustin, though,” he added. Did he not want me thinking there were more to his words?

“Yeah, you shouldn’t be.”

He chuckled softly before he blew into the phone. “This feels so good, Priss,” he admitted. “I’ve missed this so much, just being able to talk to you. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you so much,” I told him back.

“Finally, I feel like I’m finally getting somewhere. Life just makes sense to me when you’re in it.”

I knew exactly what he meant.

“I still can’t believe I’m talking to you,” I murmured.

“I know, I was beginning to think your mom had just told me to wait and was never actually going to give in … I’m glad she did though, I was at the end of my rope. I was about to come see you with or without her permission.” I moved off the bed and turned off my light before crawling underneath my covers. Then I ended up having to bend down and help Gus up on the bed. “What are you doing?” he asked.

“I just turned off the lights and crawled underneath my covers,” I said as I got comfortable.

“I was wondering why you got quiet on me.” His voice was softer now.

“Keep talking,” I ordered him as I closed my eyes and waited for his words.

He laughed. “Are you going to sleep?”

“It’s just been so long since I’ve felt this comfortable,” I mumbled.

“I feel like I can run a marathon after seeing you tonight, and I’m putting you to sleep? Just how boring am I?”

“You’re not boring at all,” I promised.

“Don’t go to sleep on me, Grace, I don’t want to let you go so soon.”

“Mm.”

He sighed. “Grace?”

“Keep talking,” I whispered.

---