Page 255 of Hell Hath No Fury
“I mean, partly about why I pulled back after we hung out. Why I didn’t kiss you that day, as much as I wanted to…”
I’m shocked by his statement, and I stare, biting my lip as I try to make sense of it before he continues.
He blows out a long exhale. “Look Liza, I want you. You must know I do. But it’s more than that, and it wasn’t until we spent the day together that I realized just how much. You and me? We can’t have some summer fling.”
I open my mouth to disagree, but he cuts me off.
“We’re both going away to school in a few weeks, and, the pathetic truth is, I’m scared,” he offers me a small, self-deprecating half-smile. “I’m starting to realize that if I kiss you, I won’t be able to stop kissing you. And I’m not sure I know how to be with you knowing there’s an expiration date.”
His gaze is open and vulnerable, and I’m struck by his honesty, by his declaration. My heart swells in my chest, and I wish his words weren’t true. But I know they are, and I know he’s right.
“I wish we could make summer last indefinitely, you know?” he says sadly.
I nod somberly. I do know. I really do.
“But I’m leaving for Boston in a matter of fucking weeks, and—”
“Did you say Boston?” I interrupt him, my thoughts running a mile a minute.
Noah frowns. “Yeah. BU.”Boston University. “Where are you going?”
A small smile plays on my lips. “Northeastern.”
Noah’s eyes widen, and if I worry he might back down from his emotional declaration, his brilliant grin is utterly blinding. “Northeastern…in Boston…”
I nod, confirming.
Noah and I stare at each other for a full minute. So many possibilities playing in both of our minds, and before I can say another word, his mouth is on mine.
He kisses me. His lips take everything he’s just sworn they wanted, making good on all of his words, making brand new promises all their own.
Noah Reed kisses me for the rest of the summer, and quite a bit more. And when August turns to September, he doesn’t stop kissing me.
By fall I know without a question in my heart or mind, that I want him to kiss me forever.
