Page 53 of Echoes of Us

I never thought I’d see the day

we’re on our way over right now

Ezra Tate

we miss you too

don’t ever leave us again!

I laughed, and Noah sat beside me, handing me a red cup.

“Thanks.”

He kissed my cheek. “Who are you texting?” Noah asked, glancing at my phone.

“The guys,” I said simply, looking down at my cup. It wasn’t foamy. I brought it closer to my face and sniffed it—fruity. “What is it?”

“You complain about beer so much, I thought you might like something else for a change. It’s vodka and cranberry juice.”

I raised my eyebrows at him, and he stifled a laugh.

“Just give it a try before you discard it,” he said.

I did. I made a face, and his lips quivered.

“It’s just as bad. No, it’s worse. It’s too sweet,” I complained.

“Just like you,” he said and kissed me quickly.

“Hilarious, Noah,” I said and put the drink on the table.

People started coming in, and as the place grew crowded, Noah pushed off the couch and moved to sit on my lap. I gave him a look, but he just shrugged it off and kept talking.He had his back to the armrest, sitting across my lap with his feet under Holly’s legs and his arm over my shoulders.

I spotted Colin and Ezra and waved at them. “Hey, let me get up.”

“Where are you going?”

“To say hi to Colin and Ezra. Come on, get up,” I said.

He kissed me before reluctantly getting up. He fell back and I walked over to them.

“Hey,” I said, and they both looked at me. I let out a nervous laugh. “What?”

“Nothing. How’ve you been, Att?” Colin asked, giving Ezra what seemed to be a warning look.

“I’m good. I mean, this place still sucks, but I’m good,” I said.

Ezra snorted. “It’s good to know some things don’t change.” His shoulders relaxed. “Are you drinking anything?”

“Noah got me a drink, but it’s terrible. Might be worse than warm beer,” I told them.

Colin gave me a fond look. “Let’s go find you something,” Colin said, touching my back and guiding me away.

I spared a look at Noah. He gave me a tight smile. They got me a beer again, and we stayed on the terrace talking for a while. I had missed talking to them after a week with Noah. It felt comfortable. I didn’t mention I was staying at his place, but I had a feeling they knew. My phone vibrated, and I checked it to find text from Noah asking where I was. I put it back in my pocket and ignored it for a bit.

I asked if we could go back, and they agreed. We went over to the couch we had been sitting on, and he was still there. I reached him, and he smiled at me, standing up. I glanced back at Colin and Ezra apprehensively before I sat back down. Noah sat on my lap again, and Colin and Ezra on my other side.

“Where have you been?” he asked, swinging his arm around my shoulders and kissing my cheek.

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