Page 150 of Echoes of Us

“Is that an invitation?”

“As if I could keep you out if you wanted to come in, with or without one.”

“It’s good to know you’re already getting the hang of it. Hey, I need to ask you something.”

“Yeah?”

Noah let go of me and leaned back on the door, his handsliding down to mine. “I have to go to Seattle again, this week or the next. I want you to come with me.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, I’m dreading it. I have a meeting with my mom and the lawyers to set her allowance for the year. She wants it updated. I’m not going to stay at her place, so we could book a hotel. Have you ever been?”

I shook my head.

“I could show you around: the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the works.” His smile was warm.

“But—”

“It’ll be my treat. The only thing you need to bring is yourself,” Noah told me.

I stared out at the city. “How long would it be for?”

His smile grew. “Just one night. We can fly overnight, sleep there, and come back the next day, like I did last time.” He moved closer.

“Like on the weekend? ’Cause I can’t miss training.”

He nodded, understanding my hesitation. “We’d have to go Friday night and come back on Sunday. Is that okay?”

I took a deep breath. “I feel like it’s a lot, Noah. Getting last-minute plane tickets, a hotel…”

“I’ve told you it’s not a problem for me. Besides, I’d be getting the hotel anyway. I have a ton of frequent flier miles. I’m basically taking you there for free. I won’t be drinking as much, so I’ll end up saving money. It’s a win-win. Plus, you’ll be there as my emotional support boyfriend. The least I can do is pay for it.”

I bit my lip. “Can I think about it?”

“Sure, let me know when you’ve thought it through.” He smiled, but it was tight.

I could tell he was disappointed. I hated making him look like that.

“I’ll tell my mom about it, see what she thinks. If she’s fine with it, I’ll go.”

He gave me another smile, this time for real. “That’s great, Atty. I promise I’m a great travel buddy. You won’t regret it. If you’re up for it, I have a place in New York. We could go there for the summer, or wherever you want.” The words left him in a rush.

I smiled at his evident excitement. “Let’s see how this goes first. Now, I have to go shower.”

“You meanwehave to shower,” he said, grinning.

I rolled my eyes as he wrapped his arms around my waist, walking behind me.

“I have a great song for you. I’ll play it in the bathroom.”

Wednesday after the gym, I walked into the apartment to the sound of loud music and voices. I had gotten so used to it just being the two of us that it surprised me.

I placed my gym bag on the kitchen counter and saw Holly, Colin, Noah, and another girl I didn’t recognize out on the balcony, smoking weed. I knocked to alert them to my presence. They all turned and looked at me guiltily.

“Atty’s home,” Noah said brightly, walking over to hug me.

“Hey, man, what are you doing here?” I asked Colin, who gave me a side hug with Noah still wrapped around me.

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