Page 114 of Echoes of Us

“Could have fooled me,” she quipped.

Noah leaned his head back on my shoulder with a sigh, his hand running through my hair, nails grazing my scalp. I practically purred at the touch.

“He makes it feel a million times better.” Noah swayed gently in my grasp.

“I noticed. What does that even feel like?” she asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.

“Like the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I feel complete.” He smiled and kissed my jaw again. His words made happiness swell in my chest.

“This is the happiest I’ve been too.” My face ached from smiling so much. I kissed his cheek and stretched my jaw.

Holly giggled. “Do you want gum?” She offered.

I grinned and took it gratefully, feeling immediate relief as I started chewing.

“That’s what he meant. I thought he was kidding.”

“Who?” Noah asked.

“Chase, that’s who called before we got in,” I told him.

“Why?” Noah asked.

“I asked him about this,” I said.

Noah’s eyes held a trace of disappointment.

“Are you jealous again? I think the last hour should have permanently eradicated jealousy from your brain.”

He grinned. “I’m not jealous,” he said but didn’t elaborate.

Holly’s brows raised as she glanced at her phone. “Oh shit,” she muttered, looking at Noah. “Noah, Colin’s here,”

“That’s great! Colin’s here,” I said happily.

“It’s fine, Holly. We like Colin, remember?” Noah said with a laugh.

She glanced at me and gave Noah a look. “Noah, come on.”

“We do like Colin,” I told her.

“We do, Att. That’s not the problem,” she said, looking at Noah.

“He’s a big boy, Holls. He doesn’t have to answer to them. He’s having fun. Aren’t you having fun, sweetheart?” he asked me.

I smiled and nodded.

Holly closed her eyes and pressed her lips together. “This is going to be a fucking mess.” She downed her glass and reached for the bottle.

Noah turned in my arms.

“Why is she worried? I’m fine,” I told him.

He kissed me. “I know you’re fine. We’re good. Don’t listen to her,” Noah said, and I tried to kiss him back around the gum.

“That has to go,” he told me.

I tittered. “No, it feels good. Stop kissing me.”

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