Page 121 of Mr. Picture Perfect
“$800, it is! How about you, sir? Will you counter?”
The floral gentleman hesitates, staring at me with interest, his paddle trembling in his grip as he licks his lips in contemplation.
The young man lifts a cocky eyebrow, arms crossed, waiting.
I can barely breathe. “F-Frankie …” I try to say. “I think … I … I think I’m about to—”
“No counter, sir? Is that what I’m hearing?”
The pavilion is spinning. I’ve broken out into a cold sweat. Even my palms. Even my cheeks. Even the tips of my ears. I have mere seconds left before I finally give in and faint. I just know it.
“$800 going once …”
The floral gentleman cringes, maddened and shaking, fingers balled into fists as he gazes at me, heartbroken.
“$800 going twice …”
The young man lifts his chin triumphantly, ready to claim me.
Until at once, from the heart of the darkness that is the rest of the crowd, comes a new voice—a sweet, inviting voice I happen to recognize instantly, a voice that speaks directly to my heart …
A voice that confidently shouts out: “$1,367, give or take!”
Chapter 21
Noah
A spotlight shines on me at once.
I squint against the harsh assault of light, blinded.
The reality of the number that just flew from my lips hits me like a tidal wave.
What did I just do?
I shouldn’t have let this go on for so long. I was so foolish and trapped in a mind loop of doubts and crippling anxieties yesterday morning. It was a complete and utter impulse that drove me out of that cozy room with my backpack, where I’d been so comfortable with my head on Cole’s chest, listening to the music of his heart.
The impulse being: Cole is about to realize he’s better off with a guy who’s more his caliber. Cole deserves to see what else is out there. Cole is being rightfully given the opportunity to find the best of the best for a partner, and I refused to be the person who would hold him back.
That was the greatest gift I could give him: removing myself from the picture completely.
“Why in the heck am I takin’ you home?” chirped my mother the second she showed up in front of the McPherson estate.
“Just drive,” I begged her, hugging my backpack to my chest as I sat in the passenger seat, and though doubt twisted her face, she obliged, taking me away from the sprawling mansion.
We were halfway back to town when she started talking. “You havegotto start explainin’ yourself, Noah.”
“Can I not, though?”
“After your father dropped you off last night, I thought you’d be stayin’ through the weekend to support your new pal Cole!”
“Mom, he’s not just—” I froze and clenched my eyes shut. It suddenly seemed impossible to tell her the truth. I choked up and fought back tears, refusing to let them out.
That’s when my mom said: “Sweetheart, you think it ain’t as obvious as hair on a horse? I know you aren’t justpals.”
I opened my eyes and stared ahead at the windshield.
“I know,” she repeated. “Your dad does, too. We were sure of it. It’s not exactly subtle, what you two are. I know what love looks like. And goodness, do I know whatyounglove looks like. Y’know that was your daddy and I, right?”
