Page 53 of Mr. Picture Perfect
He appears confused. “But I … I live close.”
What am I doing? “It’s dark.”
He glances over his shoulder, as if to check. “It is,” he agrees. I watch him as he continues to reason it out. “I … heard about a … a raccoon someone saw around here. There’s a chance it could have rabies. Judging from how it was described to be acting. Maybe not a … not a very good idea to be walking home. Now. In the dark.”
I give the side of my car a proud pat. “Rabid-raccoon-proof.”
Noah gazes at my car and bites his lip, appearing troubled.
I wonder if he’s reliving it all inside his mind. Our unintended wrestling maneuver on the hood of Mindy’s car. The innocent kiss that precipitated it. The photo he snuck of me when he first came out of the restaurant.
Suddenly his eyes snap to mine. “Okay. I’ll take the ride.”
I smile with relief.
A minute later, we’re in my car slowly driving down the road. I didn’t turn on the radio. Unless I’m heading out to my cousins’, I never do. So the car is silent as we make our way to his home.
We only have a handful of minutes together.
I need to make every second count.
“A left up here,” he says.
I can only drive so slowly before it’s obvious I’m milking time. “So, Noah …”
“After you take the left, I’m the second house on the corner.”
I smile at the road. “I know where you live.”
“You do? Oh. Right. Because we—”
“—both used to live on this street,” I finish for him.
I’m already at the stop sign. After taking the left, we park by the curb in front of his house. Then we sit there and say nothing.
He doesn’t open the door. He doesn’t get out.
He’s just sitting there.
Like I’m sitting here.
Breathing.
Not speaking.
What are we waiting for?
Finally, I muster up the courage. “Noah …”
The second his name flies out of my mouth, he leans over the center console and kisses my cheek.
I turn, surprised.
Noah remains there, hovering near my face, his eyes shining with intention and gleaming in the light shining in from a nearby streetlamp. His lips are still half-puckered.
And his eyes reflect fear.
I stare back at him. “Did you just kiss my—?”
