Page 55 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“Yeah, so? I’d like to plan the big event ahead of time.” He raised my hand to his lips and kissed it. Oh, how I hated constantly blushing around him.

“I don’t know—I’d like to have something small.”

My birthdays were never a huge event in my family. Rob wasn’t a fan of spending money on cakes or presents, so my mom usually baked me a chocolate cake and personalized her gifts. Jade and Ally always went out of their way to make my birthdays feel special. But I wasn’t in New York anymore, I was in sunny California.

“I guess I’ll have to plan your party myself,” Noah said. “And just so you know, I suck at organizing special events, so I’ll have to hire a party planner. Would you like a band?”

“A band?”

That took me by surprise.

“Yeah, you know … drummer, guitarists, and I think there’s also a person who stands behind a microphone and sings,” he said teasingly.

“Obviously, I know what you’re referring to.”

“Name your favorite band and I’ll make sure to have them booked for your party.”

“Oh my God, Noah! You don’t need to do that.”

Suddenly, I saw myself sitting on the sofa, watching an episode ofMy Super Sweet 16on the television screen. I remember the first time I saw that show. I scoffed and shook my head at all the spoiled little rich teens every five minutes. They lived in a world so opposite from my reality. It’s funny how I still watched that program even though I despised it and hated the fact that those girls lived under a sky from which money rained down on them. Nothing but cold, wet rain poured down onmyhead, not cold, hard cash. That was my reality in New York, and Noah had changed all that with a snap of his fingers.

“I’ll figure something out,” he said. “There’s no way I’m going to let you do something small this year.”

A part of me felt so happy that he cared so much. In truth, I would have been content with spending my birthday with him, but of course he didn’t know that.

Yearning for more contact, I hooked my arm around his as we strolled along the seashore. I didn’t exactly feel comfortable discussing my birthday, so I decided to take the focus away from myself and bring up the subject of his ever-doting wife.

“How are you and Vanessa doing? I hardly see her around the house.”

It took him a while to answer. “We’re doing well, Aria.”

Ah, the eternal poker face. He couldn’t fool me.

“She’s just busy launching her company,” he added.

“I know you think I’m young and all, but I’m here for you if you ever need to talk … about anything.”

“Thank you. That’s sweet of you.” Noah kissed my head and moved his arm over my shoulder.

I was courageous enough to reach over and wrap my arm around his waist. Thankfully, he didn’t recoil. It all seemed so natural; even the movement of our bodies brushing side by side felt so fluid. We walked and talked like this for the longest while, until I decided to get a little playful.

Removing my flip-flops, I stepped in the water and splashed Noah with my legs.

“Hey!” He laughed, kicking off his V-strap sandals and lunging toward me. I tried to dodge him, but he grabbed my waist and held me in a tight embrace.

“Don’t drop me in the water!” I screamed and giggled as he spun me around.

“Maybe I should—you got me wet, after all.”

“No, no, please!” I begged, unable to control my laughter.

Noah chuckled and carried me a little deeper into the ocean. I held on to his arms and raised my knees up to avoid the water.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I so would,” he whispered wickedly in my ear. “All I have to do is let go.” He shifted me in his arms and carried me sideways the way a groom carries his bride to their honeymoon suite.

“One … two …”

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