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I laugh, scoffing like it doesn’t appeal to me. But in my heart, I’m secretly crying that I can’t be that for him.

“Come with me, Piper,” he urges. “To the wedding, to the birthday. To all the things.”

I lift my brows. “As friends?”

“No.”

“Noah, I?—”

“I’m not going to bite you,” he vows solemnly.

“Because it’s illegal?”

“Because I don’t want to deprive you of your vegetables.”

“I do love my cucumbers…”

“I know.”

“I’ll go with you tomorrow so you don’t have to face your birthday alone—but as your friend, not your girlfriend.” I meet his eyes. “Okay?”

“Baby steps.”

“Baby larva steps?” I say, trying to diffuse the heat building between us. This whole time, Noah’s been leaning closer to me. I’ve been leaning closer to him, too.

“I thought we were going to retire that?”

“I am. Last time, I swear.”

He smiles as his hand settles on my knee, and my eyes drop to his lips.

“How much are these jar arrangements?” asks a shrewd-looking woman carrying a canvas bag, jerking me back to reality.

I quickly face forward, feeling my cheeks flame red. “Fifteen dollars for one or two for twenty.”

“Will you take five?” She offers the bill like she’s going to tempt me with an Abraham Lincoln.

“Sure,” Noah answers for me. “As long as it's joined by a few more of its friends.”

The woman rolls her eyes and wanders off.

Unfortunately—or maybe fortunately—the moment has been lost. Noah gives me a knowing smile and then turns his attention to the next customer browsing my flowers.

For the rest of the evening, I try to focus on my business and not the handsome vampire sitting beside me.

9

I leavea note on the kitchen counter for Noah, wishing him a happy birthday and letting him know I’m going to Silverthorne with Olivia this morning and will be back in time for dinner with his family.

Dinner with his family.

We can tell them whatever we like, but they’ll still assume we’re dating. Even though I haven’t known Noah that long, I’m very aware he isn’t the type to bring random friends home.

He’s not even the type tohaverandom friends.

I hurry down the steps to Olivia’s waiting car. I told her not to come inside because Noah has had a rough week, and I’m sure he’d like to sleep in on his birthday.

“So, what are we looking for?” she asks as she pulls out of the drive.