Page 39 of Pages of Amber
“It’s been so long since I’ve been here. My mom and I don’t get out often.”
Noah hummed. “Then I’m glad you came with us. It’s been fun having you around.”
She swiveled to face him. “Really? You’re not annoyed that I’m intruding on time with your friends?” He was forced to spend every day with her at school, either tutoring at the library or when she made him talk to the other students. She thought he'd invited her as a simple courtesy.
His lips quirked up. “I asked you to come along, didn’t I? I thought that made it obvious that I wanted you here.”
Her cheeks heated up as his words sunk in. He wanted her with him and his friends.
“You’re going to miss it,” he said, pulling her out of her head. Amber looked up to the most breathtaking view of the New York skyline. The blues, oranges and reds blended together, reflecting on the water surrounding them. Her wide eyes took in the sight, not wanting to miss a single moment.
She reached for her phone when the carriage paused for a moment with them at the top. She wanted to capture the moment and keep a piece of this memory with her.
She sighed as she took her last picture. “I wish I could see this beautiful view all the time.”
“Look in a mirror,” Noah whispered beside her. Amber whipped to face him, her eyes bugging out of her head. Had she misheard him? Her heart beat an odd rhythm in her chest as her hand dropped to her lap.
Noah met her gaze, his dark eyes flashing gold like it was somehow reflecting the sunset. The flush that creeped up his neck and onto his nose drew her eyes. She couldn’t resist tracing his freckles as they popped against his skin. She’d never understood why she found the cute spots so fascinating.
The wheel jerked as they rumbled downwards. Their gazes danced around in the silence of the moment. Noah didn’t speak until they’d gotten off at the platform and he called the twins to find out if they were still at the restaurant. As they headed to meet them, Amber bit her lip.
“Back there, in the carriage. What did you say?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Noah,” she warned.
He side-eyed her. “Why do you want to know?”
“I thought I heard a compliment. You might be softening toward me and I want to soak it up. So, was it a compliment?”
He turned away to hide his smile but she caught it anyway. “Maybe.”
“Thanks for inviting me today. I had a great time.” Amber laid her head on Evelyn’s shoulder as they rode home in the back of the taxi.
“I should be saying that. I got to spend a sort of girl’s day with you.”
“We can plan a proper girl’s day,” Amber suggested, laughing as Evelyn’s eyes widened.
“I would love that!” she squirmed, pushing her elbow into Emmett who frowned at his sister.
“I’m good here.” Noah waved the taxi off to the curb. He’d mentioned he was getting down early but hadn’t said where he was going. The twins seemed to know as he got down and paid the driver his share of the drive.
“Bye.” Evelyn waved.
“Don’t miss me too much,” Emmett added.
Amber laughed as the driver got back on the road. “Where’s he off to?”
“Oh, he’s picking up some groceries for his mom. And there’s a bookstore a few blocks from down he loves to go to.”
“He’ll spend all evening there until Mrs. R starts asking for her groceries.” Emmett laughed.
Amber stared out the window as they continued down the road. Noah liked book shopping. Another thing added to all she was learning about him. It hadn’t even been a full two weeks since they had started working together. She could only imagine what more she could unearth about the quiet boy who, only a few weeks ago, had been the bane of her existence.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“GOOD, GOOD. AGAIN!”
