Page 37

“You got it.”
Noah reaches out, tugs at a piece of hair that’s fallen in my face. “If you didn’t come for the alcohol, then you came for something else?”
I’d driven here with the intention of chatting him up, seeing what I could get out of him. But this close, information isn’t what I feel like taking anymore. There’s real chemistry here. It lights up my body, makes me feel like a sparkler on the Fourth of July.
I tilt my head. “Maybe I came for the free hot wings.”
His lip twitches. “Would you like me to order you some?”
“No thanks. I’m not hungry.”
Noah’s playful dimples make an appearance. He reaches forward, puts a hand on my hip, and my skin tingles beneath his touch. I remember how those fingers dug in not long ago, how good they felt on my bare skin.
“Is this where you spend all yourfree time?” I ask.
“Not usually. I prefer the Big Devil Bayou on the north side of town. Do you know it? I fish off the old dock.”
“I do. Though I’m surprised that dock is still standing. I haven’t been there in decades, and it was rotting back then.”
Noah sips his beer. “I replaced the decking a few years back. Not too many know I did it, so I usually have the place to myself. I go there to calm my mind.”
“Why aren’t you there now?”
He grins. “Because I met you here, and I was hoping I’d run into you again.”
I feel heat rise within me. He’s an irresistible temptation I can’t ignore.
Suddenly, the music blaring through the shitty speakers cuts mid-song and a woman’s voice comes overhead. “Hey, everyone. We’re about to get started. Our first brave soul for the evening is Tonya Woodsman. She’s going to be singing ‘Before He Cheats.’ Let’s give her a warm welcome.”
The bar erupts in applause, a bunch of whistles and hoots and hollers. Unfortunately, the only thing I hate more than country music iskaraokecountry music. Though a few seconds later, the woman takes the mic and starts to belt out something about bleach blondes, and she’s actually pretty good. Her deep, raspy voice sounds better than the stuff that was playing a few minutes ago. Noah and I watch her for a moment. Halfway through the song, he leans over and says something, but it’s so damn loud in here now, I have to cup my ear.
“What?”
He yells louder. “I asked how your mom is doing.”
“Oh.” I shake my head with a frown. “Not great. They had to put her on a ventilator.”
We go back and forth for a few minutes, trying to have a conversation. But more than half the time we have to repeat ourselves. Eventually, Noah yells, “How about we get out of here, so we don’t have to scream? Maybe go to my place?”
He reads the wariness on my face withoutme having to say anything and leans to my ear again. “I promise I’ll be on my best behavior. I won’t try anything, if that’s not what you want. We can just talk, without having to yell.” He pulls back and winks. “Unless you decide otherwise. I really like it when you make the moves. It’s sexy as fuck.”
The first time we met, we had sex, and I almost left with him. The second time we were alone, I was on top of him ten minutes after we went inside the house. What are the chances we’re going tojust talk? Though I do need to get closer . . .
“How about we go for ice cream instead?” I ask. “Or for a walk?”
Noah shrugs. “If that’s what you want. But I would love to show you the work I’m doing on my house. I’m renovating it top to bottom. Taking me forever, but I’m doing it all myself. I make furniture as a hobby. This is my first real construction project.”
He sounds sincere, but it’s not actuallyhimI don’t trust. It’s me. I’ve been making some dumb decisions lately, present company included. I’m still debating, getting ready to decline the invitation, when he sweetens the offer.
“It’s not far. Only about two miles away. It was my parents’ house for thirty years, so I’m trying to update it and make it my own.”
My parents’ house.
I know where Mr. Sawyer lived. Drove past it enough times with Jocelyn back in the day. But I’ve never been inside. Maybe it holds the answers to all the questions I have. How can I say no?
I take a deep breath. “I’ll follow you in my car.”
Noah smiles like he’s just won a prize. “Excellent.”