Page 50 of Stick Move

“No.” I step up to him and put my hand on his back, giving it a small rub. “I want to go meet them. You’re right, we’re not cruel teenage girls anymore, right? Plus, this is important to Camryn and she’s my main priority.”

His smile is soft and sweet and pierces something deep in my heart. Dipping his head, he swipes his lips over mine, a soft, barely there kiss that curls around me and hugs tight, almost making me forget what we’re doing here isn’t for keeps.

“Thanks, Sunshine. I appreciate it, but honestly if you’re not comfortable.”

“Can we get ice cream afterward?” I ask, lightening things, even though I am worried about meeting up with Gemma and Julie. My friends weren’t very nice to them. Which once again makes me hate myself for staying in that group and staying silent.

“Of course.”

“Triple scoop?” I tease.

“Whatever you want, Sunshine.” He gives my ass a whack. “Now let’s get started on these pancakes. For some reason, I’m starving this morning.”

I laugh and go to work on making the batter, teaching Noah how to do it for next time. By the time Camryn comes back into the kitchen, her no-lump pancakes are ready. We sit at the table like a small family of three and Camryn tells me about her friend Becky as we eat. After breakfast, we clean up, and I return to my wing for a shower. I dress in comfortable yoga pants and a t-shirt and thirty minutes later, we’re all headed outside, ready to make our way to the park. Camryn is still talking, so excited to be seeing her friend.

“Do you think Becky could come swimming at the beach with us sometime?” she asks as she buckles herself into the back seat of Noah’s car.

“If it’s okay with her mom.”

Camryn crinkles her nose and frowns. “I think her mom is mad, though.”

“Oh, why is that?” I ask as I close her door and slide into the passenger seat, watching Noah as he circles the front of the vehicle.

“She wanted to be my mommy.”

“Oh,” I say, as Noah slides in beside me. “I didn’t know that.”

“Didn’t know what?” Noah asks.

“That Becky’s mom wanted to be Camryn’s mommy.”

He sucks in a breath through clenched teeth. “We’re friends,” he explains.

“Camryn is worried Becky won’t be able to come play here because her mom is mad.”

He adjusts the rearview mirror. “I’m sure she’s not mad, Bean, and that Becky will be able to come swimming.”

“Okay,” she says cheerily and picks up her portable tablet.

I take in Noah’s sharp angles as he backs out of the driveway and merges into traffic. He said I knew why he was single, but the truth is, I don’t think I know the real reason.

“Something on your mind?” he asks, casting me a fast glance.

“Just thinking about my triple scoop ice cream,” I tell him. He eyes me like he doesn’t believe me and I just smile. What’s really going through my mind is how much I like Noah, and how he can have any woman he wants, I’m sure. Yes, it’s true, I did feel a tad—or a lot—jealous when Camryn said Becky’s mom wanted to be her mommy.

His hands slides across the seat and he gives my thigh a squeeze. It curls through my body and instantly lets me know how easily I could fall for this guy.

You mean you haven’t already, Brighton?

Oh boy.

Needing a distraction, I turn up the radio and sing to the songs as I push back in my seat, enjoying the drive. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t drive myself somewhere, and I have to say it’s kind of nice just to sit back and let someone else take care of me. Noah has definitely taking charge since he bought the resort, and it’s nice to know I can count on him in a way I’ve never been able to count on anyone.

Are you sure this is really about revenge?

Actually, no, I’m not sure. The more time I spend with him, the more I get to know him, I see there is something very special about this man. He has a good heart, and maybe, just maybe he bought the resort to help out his old boss’s daughter, and maybe the resort holds fond memories for him too.

I sit up a bit straighter as we reach the downtown core of Boston, and Camryn is practically squirming in her seat, anxious to get out. Worry niggles in my stomach as Noah parks. As if sensing it, he unbuckles and checks in with me.

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