Page 85 of Forever and Ever

My belly flutters with the intensity of how he says it.

I’m not someone who is generally self-conscious because I rarely think much of myself in general. But, in Noah’s eyes, I feel beautiful in a way I never have before. I feel like the dark goddess he says I am.

“It’s weird though right?” I say. “I’m so used to watching you disappear with random people and us doing that awkward avoidance thing out in public.”

Noah tightens his grip and shakes his head. “It feels right.”

His mouth lands on mine like a statement.

Our tongues tangle.

I’m his.

Our bodies sway.

I’m his.

My heart pounds.

I’m his.

We dance for what might be minutes or hours or days. All I know is that I don’t want to ever stop.

26

Noah

SebastianandEloisestormin circles around Adrian’s living room, and I’m glad I’m not a songwriter for the band because one more opinion on this song and we would never finish this album.

“You’re not hearing me,” Eloise says, throwing her arms up. “I’m not saying to cut the song altogether, but it isn’t working as is.”

“It was fine yesterday,” Sebastian argues.

“No, I was just too tired to say anything about it yesterday.”

Sebastian tips his head back and laughs. “El, you’re driving me fucking insane. You’ve never had this many complaints about one of my songs. And they’re not bad, ask Adrian.”

He waves a hand toward Adrian, who looks like he wants nothing to do with Sebastian dragging him into this conversation. Eloise glares at them both and I think she’s officially going to blow a gasket.

“So that’s how it is? You’re ganging up on me now?” She crosses her arms and stands tall for battle.

Shit is about to hit the fan, so I finally stand up and decide that even though Rome is going to sit here smoking weed like this doesn’t involve him, someone has to play peacekeeper.

“Can we all sit back down?” I ask, moving between Eloise and Sebastian.

They might be siblings—they certainly fight like it—but ultimately this is band shit, and they need to calm the fuck down.

I look back and forth between them and wait until they sit on opposite couches facing each other.

“All right, let’s talk about this.” I swipe my hair off my face. “El, Sebastian does have a point, what’s with all the resistance? Normally you guys are pretty in sync with writing styles.”

“Not you too.” She glares at me.

“I’m not judging here.” I throw up my hands. “I’m just trying to understand where you’re coming from. His songs sound good, from what I’ve heard. And it fits with what you’ve been working on. Where’s the disconnect?”

Eloise rests her elbows on her knees and leans forward to bury her face in her hands.

“I don’t know,” she says, frustrated.

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