Page 36 of Reconnected Hearts
“I was wondering if it would be possible to switch seats on my flight. If not, that’s fine, but I just can’t stand the window seat, y’know?” I fake a pleasant laugh. “I’m afraid of heights and being able to see all the way down to the ground makes me nervous.”
It’s scary how easy lying is becoming.
The man murmurs understandingly. “Oh, of course. Let me see what I can do for you.” He types momentarily then eyes me again. “Do you know your flight number?”
I tell him.
“Good news!” he informs me. “We have an aisle seat five rows up available. Is that alright?”
Five rows up? That would still be pretty close to Noah, but I suppose it’s better than being right next to him.
“That’s perfect,” I express. “Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help.”
The man returns the sentiment with a classic customer service smile and prints out my new boarding pass, which I’m quick to tuck away in my purse. I don’t want Noah to see it, not until there’s no avoiding it anymore. He’ll think it’s personal—that I’m trying to get away from him. He won’t realize that I’m doing itforhim, to make it easier. He’ll be crushed, even more than he already is.
I return to my seat just as Noah is walking up. He gives me an odd look. I hate that we’ve reached the point in our non-relationship that he’s so easily suspicious.
“Where were you?” he asks cautiously, sitting slowly. He doesn’t take his eyes off of me even for a second, but it’s not like how it was before. Now, his stare is cold and unforgiving. I find myself strangely missing the sunny warmth he looked at me with before.
I gesture to the help desk, feigning innocence.
Lies, lies, lies.
“I was just making sure we’re still taking off on time.”
“Oh.” Noah’s brow furrows, and I can see the guilt on his face. It makes me feel like absolutegarbage.I just had to fuck over the one decent guy on the planet—theone singlemale who actually has a conscience. That would be my rotten luck. I could’ve thrown a stick on the street and hit ten moderately cute guys without a shit to give. They would have made good one-night stands. Noah, on the other hand?
“Do you need anything?” he asks me, digging around in his pocket and pulling out his wallet. “Water or snacks or anything? I’m gonna go grab a coffee.”
He’s so nice. I hate it.
“No—no, I’m good. Thanks, though.”
He nods shortly, and I can tell he’s avoiding eye contact. I want to say something, but I don’t. I just watch as he walks into the nearest convenience store until he disappears from sight.
I can’t believe a man has managed to make me feel guilty. I didn’t think it would ever happen. If I were to tell myself from a week ago that I would be so torn up overNoah Laurierof all people, I would think I lost my damn mind.
I suppose this is my karma for judging a book by its cover. And its annoying foot-tapping habit while I’m trying to focus. And its stupid haircut, that makes his stupid glorious blonde curls fall into place. You get the point. The book isrough, but somehow, against all odds, it’s grown on me. Noah has grown on me.
He’s wearing a Superman T-shirt in the airport, for God’s sake (and it’s alarming that I find it sexy because I’ve never been into nerds before, but hey, I guess this trip is filled with firsts).
Noah comes back after a few minutes, balancing at least three bags that I can see and a coffee cup. He nearly trips on about seven different obstacles as he’s approaching, but he finally reaches me and sits down with a heavy sigh.
I want to laugh, but I don’t think that would be appropriate given the circumstances.
I watch him unpack the bags. He keeps a few snacks, drinks, and magazines for himself, then hands me a diet soda, cheddar chips, a chocolate chip cookie, and a small paperback book.
I hate him.
Well, no I don’t.
But I really,reallywant to.
“You didn’t have to get me anything, Noah,” I tell him, guiltier than ever.
He lazily glances at me out of the corner of his eye. For a guy who just bought me an entire airport feast, he seems sort of irked.
“Your stomach’s been growling for, like, forty-five minutes. It was annoying me.”
