Page 108 of Chasing Infinity

I nod my head, my lips pulling wryly to the side. “Eli’s never been one to keep his thoughts to himself.”

Noah hums. I know he’s not pleased with my attempt to make an excuse for Eli's comment, but pulls me close again anyway. We sway to the music, easily falling into a rhythm together. A new song begins, and his strong arm tightens on my back. The opening melody draws me in with a whimsical hook. The perfect song for the perfect moment. Something about being in Noah’s arms feels right like this was always meant to happen. I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt so content. I lean my head against his shoulder, my cheek pressing into the smooth fabric of his tuxedo.

“You’re quiet,” I whisper. “What are you thinking about?”

Noah voice rumbles against my cheek as he says, “I’m thinking about punching Eli in the throat for saying something that absurd to you. You look lovely.”

“You like the green?” I ask him hesitantly. I won’t outwardly admit I picked it out because it’s his favorite color, but I know he knows.

His eyes flash with something I can’t place, and his gaze travels from my face down my body. He swallows thickly. “Ilovethe green.”

My heart flutters, and I smile, pleased with his response. “I’m so glad you came tonight, Noah. You being here makes everything feel right.”

Noah’s fingers trail up from my waist to my shoulder and then dance over the ridges of my spine. The feel of his hand against the bare skin of my back has me shivering. For the first time in…well, ever, I feel this is right. The whole time I was dating Eli, he would touch me or run his hands over my shoulders, but it would feelwrong.

I’m not sure if I ever realized how different things with Noah were until this moment. I’ve known that I always feel more myself with him, but even with his touch, I feel more alive than ever. His hands on my body makes me yearn for more as if we’re magnets, drawn to each other.

There’s just something about Noah that I can never get enough of. It's what drew me to him in that hallway and what has kept me always coming back. As we move across the dance floor, it finally starts to come together. Memories of Noah and me play back in my mind like a reel, as if to squash any type of doubt. He’s everything I need, everything I could want. Noah’s the one I turn to through bad days and good days. Even when we clash and go head to head—I do always come back to him, and he always comes back to me.

He’s the one who challenges me when I need it but will back off when he knows I need space. He will pick me up if I’ve fallen and run with me when I’ve finally found my stride, supporting me through everything I need to accomplish. I can go off and ramble about academics and he can follow along, chiming in with his own opinions when needed. He drives me absolutely crazy sometimes, in the worst and best ways possible. I never have to be anything other than me when I’m with Noah.

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to realize it, but Noah’s not just my best friend. He’s my other half. He understands the ins and out of who I am. The epiphany comes to me as I stare straight into his silver-blue eyes. He must be able to see something in my expression because he leans closer to me, his gaze like molten steel on me.

“I really want to kiss you right now,” he whispers, his breath warm against my lips and his eyelids drooping.

His words weigh on my heart, and I make a decision that I know I won’t regret. “Then do it. I want you to kiss me.”

Noah stares at me, his eyes tracing my face as if looking for any sign of doubt before a small smile appears on his lips. He leans closer to me until his lips brush against mine. I close my eyes, thinking this is it, maybe the timing will finally be right, and we can do this…

Desire courses through my body when his lips press against mine. His hand splays across my back, applying slight pressure until I’m pressed flush against him. Like the last time I kissed Noah, the world explodes into vibrance, making everything more bright and meaningful. If I could kiss him forever, I would.

Noah pulls away from me all too soon, putting a slight distance between us. His attention darts around the ballroom, ensuring there are no teachers or chaperones coming to yell at us. Then his gaze is back on me exploring my face. The heat in his eyes suggests he wants to kiss me more. But he doesn’t.

“Parks, there are a few things I want to talk to you about,” he says in a husky voice, staying so close to me that I can still feel his lips moving against mine. His fingers continue to trace patterns against my back.

“Okay,” I whisper back, my lips parting slightly.

“Everything about you is amazing to me. I’ve been falling for you ever since you came and sat next to me in that hallway,” he tells me. He’s looking right into my eyes, and I feel like he’s reaching for my soul. My heart aches. “I want everything with you, Parks, and I’m hoping you want the same thing.”

“Noah, I want—“

“Addison.” A sharp, deep voice has me jerking away out of Noah’s arms and spinning around to face Charlie, watching us with wide, confused eyes.

“Charlie,” I breathe, my hands nervously running over the lengths of my dress. I can feel Noah step up closer behind me, his hand resting on my waist.

“I was just—” Charlie looks away for a second, takes a deep breath, and then turns back to us. “I’m ready to leave if you still want a ride.”

“Oh, right. Sure, let me just—”

Charlie holds up his hand, stopping me in my tracks, “I’ll meet you outside in ten minutes.” He turns around to leave and then has another thought, turning to face Noah and me again. “Eli left already. Just in case you were wondering.”

Guilt courses through my body, but I quickly dampen it. Eli asked me to this dance, sure, but he’s also the one who ditched me right after we got here. I have nothing to be guilty about. I turn back to Noah. He’s observing me with a guarded expression.

“Noah,” I start as he steps close to me, his hand raising to my cheek. He brushes a few strands of hair away from my face and tucks them behind my ear.

“You should go with Sullivan,” he says, and surprise courses through my body.

“Why?”

---