Page 32 of Someone Knows

He steps forward and kisses my forehead. It’s sweet and feels innocent enough.

“Take care, Elizabeth. I wish you well.”

I watch him walk away, but as he does, an overwhelming sense of fear that I’m about to lose something I need hits me. “Wait!” I yell as he’s pulling his truck door closed.

He unfolds from the driver’s seat and gives me his full attention.

“Why don’t you come inside for a little while?”

“Is this you?” Noah picks up a framed photo and turns it to me. I’m in my communion dress, hands steepled like the good Christian my mother always wanted.

“It is.”

“Are you religious?”

“No.”

He looks at me expectantly. After a minute, he grins. “Aren’t you going to ask if I am?”

“Nope. That’s your business.”

He smiles and sets down the photo. “You see, that’s what makes you different from the ladies around here. You think it’s okay to keep some things private.”

“Of course it is.”

He shakes his head. “The women I’ve dated want to know every thought going throughmy head.”

“Sounds like they’re insecure.”

Noah shrugs. “Maybe.” He looks around the room. “So is this where you grew up? This house?”

“It is.”

“It’s nice.”

“It’s a shithole.”

He laughs. “See? There you go again. No bullshit. You just tell it like it is.”

“Would you rather I bullshit you?”

“Not at all. I appreciate a woman who is straight with me.”

I tilt my head. “So does that mean you’re being straight with me, Noah?”

His brows draw together. “About what?”

“Everything. Anything.”

His eyes jump back and forth between mine. “I haven’t told you one lie since we met.”

Again, he looks sincere. But did he select his words carefully? He hasn’ttold me a lie—but are there things he’s failed to tell me? Omissions? Like he knows who I am? That he sat down next to me on purpose? That he is a student of mine . . .

I make use of the attention he’s giving me, keeping our gazes locked. “What made you approach me last night?”

“You were the prettiest girl in the room.”

“Woman, notgirl, Noah.”

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