“Just because Everly took pity on you doesn’t mean you’re a relationship guru,” Noah grunted.
They shuffled but neither of them gained any traction and Noah was starting to get a kink in his neck.
“Is Grace okay?” Everly asked, tilting her head to better meet Noah’s gaze.
“He hasn’t heard from her,” Chris said, circling them around again.
Everly bent and tilted her head so she was looking sideways at them. “Do you two need someone to yell ‘break’?”
“You can’t yell, Evs.” Noah grinned, rubbing his knuckles on Chris’s head.
She gave him a wry grin, stood up, and said, “Break,” at a perfectly reasonable decibel.
They released each other, both of them groaning a little as they stretched, rolled their shoulders.
Everly kissed his brother on the cheek, leaned her head against his shoulder, but looked at Noah. “You okay?”
He shook his head. “I just need to see her. Talk to her. I need to make it right.”
“How did her presentation go?”
“It’s not for a few more days.” His thoughts started turning like gears, making him miss whatever Chris and Everly were saying.
He pocketed his keys from the kitchen table and started for the door.
“Wait. Where are you going?” Chris followed him to the door.
He turned back, unable to contain his grin. “I’m going to win back my girl and show her I always keep my promises.”
46
Grace was livid at herself. She glanced around the classroom once more, taking note of how many of her classmates had brought significant others, including Rosie. Noah had left her alone for four days now, and the emptiness that crept inside of Grace’s body was unlike any she’d ever known. Different from the nights she’d hidden in her closet in their trailer because she kept hearing strange noises and her mother was out at the bar. Different from hearing that the grandparents she’d never known had died. But it was her own fault. She’d sent him away, told him to respect her words, and he did. He did exactly what she’d asked and he was going to miss her presentation.
“We can reschedule,” Rosie whispered, leaning over to Grace.
Grace shook her head, looking at Josh, wishing she could just ask about Noah, but if she said his name out loud, she might cry.
She’d worked toward this for so long. She would not make it less because her personal life was in tatters.Of your own making. If you don’t like how things are, change them.She lifted her chin. She’d go to him. As soon as she finished up with the slide show.
“No. Let’s do this.”
She did her part, speaking the words she’d rehearsed more times than she could count. She kept her gaze on the screen to lessen the nerves of having to stare out at the audience. Of having to deal with the fact that he’d promised.You can’t hold this against him. You told him to stay away.Rosie cleared her throat, pulling Grace back into the moment. It wasn’t until the clapping started that she took a full breath, forced a smile for her teacher, her classmates, their special someones, Josh… and Noah.
Grace’s knees wobbled as their gazes locked. He stood leaning against the wall beside Josh, focused on Grace. She pulled in a deep breath, her heart rebooting. She continued to stare, feeling the smile take over her face without any effort. Rosie nudged her shoulder.
Mrs. Kern stood, glanced back at Noah, which struck her as odd. “Fabulous job, ladies.” She walked to the front of the room, turned to face everyone. “All of you did so well. I’m not sure how they’ll choose an intern. I’m so proud of how far all of you have come and you should be as well.”
Grace locked her hands together, unable to break eye contact with Noah. Just looking at him was refueling her energy, her breath, herheart.
“Now, there’s one more special presentation but it’s for one person only. I’ve set up snacks in room 310 if you’ll all join me and we can celebrate your successes.”
Rosie squeezed her hand. Grace looked at her, squeezing back. “What’s going on?”
Her friend hugged her hard. “This is where you get the chance to choose the happiness you deserve.”
Grace pulled away, stared at her cryptic friend. Everyone filed out, including Rosie and Josh, until only Noah and Grace were left.
Noah walked to her, keeping too much distance between them. She wanted to close it, fall into him, and hold on tight.
