Page 142 of Here With Me

I don’t admit that I mostly watched her reactions out of the corner of my eye and spent ninety minutes memorizing every flawless inch of her face.

“Mallory and Serena make me watch it once a month.” She giggles. “And then we blast her music and dance until the sugar high wears off.”

“I thought Mallory was the Swiftie?”

“Where do ya think she learned it from?”

I laugh with her. “They’re lucky to have you.”

“I’ve been super busy this summer and haven’t been around as much. I need to change that. Ayden and Laney’s reception is next month, and I was helpin’ them plan it.”

“Well, right now, all you need to do is rest.”

“I haven’t even seen the new baby. Maybe I’ll have Momma take me tomorrow.”

My shoulders tense as I think about her leavin’ the house without my help, but I can’t hang on to that fear. She needs to learn how to get around and figure out what she can tolerate without me telling her.

“I think that’s a great idea.”

She jolts back with an amused grin. “You do?”

Lifting a shoulder, I smile. “Yeah.”

Once I help her get comfortable again, I make sure she has everything she needs, then double-check that everything’s locked up.

“G’night, Noah.” I stand in her doorway.

After a moment of silence, she clears her throat. “I wish I could hate you for makin’ me fall in love with you, but you’re the Taylor Lautner of exes.”

“Am I supposed to know what that means?”

The corner of her lips curves up. “He’s the favorite ex of Taylor Swift because he’s unproblematic and treated her like royalty.”

“Guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”

She smiles and nods. “Good night, Fisher.”

ChapterTwenty-Nine

Fisher

Ihaven’t seen Noah in two days unless you count parking outside her house and sleeping in my truck all night like a stalker, but I don’t think it does.

That first night away from her, I couldn’t stop thinking about how Craig could come onto the property to mess with her or even break into her house. It made it impossible for me to sleep at home, so I drove over at midnight and watched her house from a distance until I passed out.

I did the same thing last night, except I didn’t even bother trying to go to bed. Just came over at ten and stayed until her mom and Gramma Grace showed up at eight.

“Rough night?” Landen asks.

I’m in the middle of trimming a hoof when he approaches me. When I look up, his arms are crossed, and he wears an amused grin.

“No. Why do ya ask?”

He shrugs, but amusement is written all over his face. “You look tired, is all.”

“Nah, I’m fine.”

He steps toward me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “I'll put a small air mattress in your truck for ya. Should fit in the back and be a helluva lot more comfortable than your front seat.”