Page 14 of Just My Type (The Boston Hearts #3)

CHAPTER NINE

HANNAH

“ G od, I just freaking love it here!” Jo exclaims, sliding in next to me on the long, velvet covered bench in the roped off VIP section of the Vegas club we’re gathered at while shimmying her shoulders to the beat of the music.

The low, square table is covered in glasses and the remains of the appetizers we’ve been picking at for the last hour, laser lights shooting overhead through the darkened room, and below us, the dance floor teems with people moving to the thumping bass.

On the list of ways I like to spend my time, a loud club on the Vegas strip wouldn’t even make the top one hundred.

I low key hate everything about this. But I would do anything for my sisters, and all Jo wanted before she got married was all of us together on a whirlwind Vegas weekend.

The sheer delight on her face makes this worth it, even though I’ll need copious alcohol to survive it and a week to recover from it.

“Jordan really knows how to do Vegas right,” Amelia says, taking the last sip of her margarita and grinning at us from the opposite bench. “Vegas VIP style fucking rocks. ”

“Only the best for my girl.” Jordan walks up to the table with a drink in each hand and slides in next to Jo.

He hands one drink to me and sets the other down on the table, turning to Jo and tipping her chin up, kissing her in a way far more suited to a dark room behind a closed door than a crowded Vegas nightclub.

“Hydrate, Mystery Girl.” Elliot takes the seat next to Amelia and kisses her before handing her a bottle of water.

She shakes her head and reaches for the margarita in his other hand, scowling when he pulls it away and puts the bottle of water in her hand instead. “You’re doing that bossy thing again, El. I don’t need the water.”

He grins at her and kisses her again. “You like it when I’m bossy. Drink the water, then you can have the marg. You’ll thank me later.”

“Will I though?” she snarks.

Elliot’s eyes go molten. He slides an arm around Amelia’s waist and tugs her closer, leaning in and whispering something in her ear that has her face flushing red and her teeth sinking into her lower lip.

When he’s done, she turns to him and takes the bottle, uncapping it and drinking deeply, her eyes never leaving his.

Elliot smirks at her. “That’s what I thought.”

“Jesus fuck, you guys,” Jo says, fanning herself. “I need a cold shower after that. Why are you, like, the hottest couple on earth?”

Jordan lets out an honest to god growl and leans down, kissing Jo’s neck. “Hurricane, no couple on earth is hotter than us.”

“No.” Everyone turns to me when I speak for the first time.

“I love you all more than life, but while I’m fifth wheeling this little gathering, we are not doing the who is hotter than who thing.

You’re all hot. I mean, god, just look at you.

But let’s be, like, ten percent less hot until I’m not the only single girl at the dance. ”

I’m mostly joking, and I’m also used to being the fifth wheel after being in Boston for almost six months.

I don’t even know if I would want any kind of relationship with anyone after the disaster of my last one.

But something about being around this wildly happy foursome so far from home, celebrating Jo and Jordan’s upcoming wedding, makes me feel too single to function.

And lonely.

So fucking lonely.

“Aw, Hans, I’m sorry.” Jo slides closer to me and tosses an arm around my shoulders.

Her eyes are just a little hazy from the couple drinks she’s had, and her grin is a mile wide.

“Cooper and Noah’s plane finally landed a little while ago, so they should be here soon.

And Hallie and Ben and everyone else get here tomorrow morning.

Until then, I promise we won’t be those gross couples no one wants to be around. ”

“Speak for yourself, Hurricane,” Jordan says, winking at me. “I love being that gross couple with you.”

“What he said.” Elliot grins and drags Amelia onto his lap, sliding an arm around her waist, his other hand playing with the hem of her tiny silver dress.

I try my best to ignore the way my stomach flips when Jo says Noah’s name. But when my phone dings and I see his name on the screen, the flip turns into full blown butterflies I have no clue what to do with. I grab my margarita, downing the rest of it in one long swallow before unlocking my phone.

Noah

Miss me?

Me

I can’t even tell you how much I don’t.

Noah

Savage, Gorgeous. I think you’re lying. I think you wish I hadn’t had to work today, so I could have flown out there with you guys this morning instead of taking this stupid late flight that got delayed a thousand times.

I think you wish I was sitting in that club with you right now.

Me

Why would you say that?

Noah

Because I’m amazing. And very missable. And really, really fun.

Me

And don’t forget humble.

Noah

Nah, I’ve definitely never been that.

So, how’s Vegas so far? Give me all the hot goss.

A laugh bubbles out of me before I can shove it back. My head snaps up to make sure no one noticed, but Jo and Jordan, and Elliot and Amelia are so wrapped up in each other that I’m pretty sure a bomb could explode in the middle of this club and they wouldn’t notice.

Me

The couples are being all coupley and the music is loud. I’m like ten seconds from pulling out my Kindle.

Noah

Bringing a Kindle to a Vegas club is extremely on brand for you and I love it.

Me

You love that I hate peopling so much I bring a book to a club?

Noah

I love that you do you, no matter where you are.

I inhale sharply, reading that last text over and over again, feeling strangely emotional at his words.

I spent a long time being told that the way I was wasn’t the right way to be, and it’s a real kick in the ass to realize that stuck so hard that I’m surprised when someone actually likes who I am.

And isn’t that just pathetic. I roll my eyes and type back a response.

Me

By me, you mean the compulsive reader and former writer who now can’t write a coherent chapter to save her life?

Even as I type the words, I realize they aren’t completely true.

Because I am writing. Sort of. A little.

I’m just not ready to share that with him in case it all goes away again.

After the bookstore the other day, when Noah had me tell him the story of the very first romance novel I ever read and list my top twenty favorite books, each of which he bought for himself because I want to read what you like to read , I went home and wrote a whole chapter.

It’s messy and needs all the editing, but there are words on a page, which is something I haven’t had in months and months.

I’m pretty sure I have this man and his wild idea to hang out with him to thank for it, and I find myself wishing he would hurry the fuck up already and get here.

Best not to think too hard about what that all means.

Noah

By you, I mean the avid reader who has given me more book recommendations than I could ever read in a lifetime and the extraordinarily talented writer whose next book is going to be her best one ever.

Me

I like your version better.

Noah

Stick with me, Han.

Me

What does it say about me that I want to do exactly that?

Shit. Shit, shit, shit.

Fucking shit.

I definitely didn’t mean to send that. I eye the two empty margarita glasses in front of me warily because those bitches really did me dirty.

Two drinks and I’m already saying the quiet part right out loud.

The quiet part being that it turns out I think I like Noah Wyles in the I wonder what his lips taste like kind of way.

And that is as thrilling to admit to myself as it is inconvenient.

He must think so too because I watch the three dots on our message thread bounce and disappear and bounce and disappear, over and over again, until I think I might perish from anticipation.

Then when my phone dings in my hand, I jolt so suddenly that I accidentally kick the table, and four heads swivel in my direction as the mess of drink glasses tip precariously.

“You okay, Hans?” Jo asks, giving me a strange look.

I wave her away. “Totally fine. Um…got a cramp. Yeah, a leg cramp.”

Jesus Christ, Hannah. Be better.

I feel her eyes on me even when I look back down at my phone. I’m sure I’ll have some explaining to do later, but I can’t bring myself to care about that just now.

Noah

It says you’re one of the smart girls.

Uber is pulling up to the hotel. We’re dropping our stuff, and then we’ll meet you. Get ready, Han.

Me

Bless. I was really worried about my caffeine situation for the morning if you weren’t here to bring me coffee.

I’m only half joking about that. Noah has left me an iced latte and a homemade chocolate chip muffin every single morning since the morning after the roof.

He makes it seem like it’s no big deal, when in actuality, the fact that he thinks of me and takes the time to do it, even with his insane hospital schedule, makes it the actual best part of my day.

Noah

I solemnly swear to never let you go uncaffeinated ever again for the rest of my days. The party is on its way.

Me

I’m counting the minutes.

The second I send the message, I forget that texts don’t send with sarcasm. Goddammit. I am really not thriving right now.

Me

*she says with sarcasm*

Noah

Sorry, I think your last text got lost in the mail. Did you just say you’re counting the minutes until I get there?

Me

I am doing nothing of the sort.

Noah

Liar. An hour or less, Gorgeous, and then Hannah and Noah are taking Vegas by storm.

Me

I have no idea what that even means.

Noah

You don’t have to know, because I do. See you soon, Han.

He adds a winky face emoji and fuck. Is he…

flirting with me? I mean, Noah always flirts with me because that’s just who he is, but this feels different, and I don’t hate it.

Ugh. A waitress stops by then and sets another round of margaritas on the table, and I grab one with a sigh of relief, taking a long sip and letting the alcohol do its thing to blur the edges of embarrassment and my potential feelings for Noah.

I need to get my shit together, and fast.

“Come on, ladies, it’s time to get our dance on.

” I click off my phone and look up as Jo kisses Jordan’s cheek and gets up from her seat.

I open my mouth to protest, but Jo holds up a hand, cutting me off.

“Hans, I know you’re about to give me ten reasons why you can’t possibly come join me on that dance floor, so I’m going to stop you right there.

It’s my bachelorette party, and you look so hot in that dress, it should actually be illegal.

You’re standing that hot ass up and coming with me to the dance floor, and I don’t want to hear one single complaint.

You, too, genius girl.” Jo swivels her head to look at Amelia, who makes a face and glances over at Elliot with a hopeful expression, like he can save her from Jo’s extrovert attack.

Elliot grins and kisses Amelia’s cheek. “Sorry, Mystery Girl, but the idea of watching you dance down there, knowing you’re mine? Hot as fuck.”

“Ugh, you’re no help. Do we have to?” Amelia glances at me, like I can do something to keep Jo from forcing us onto the dance floor. I can’t. No one can talk Jo out of any of her crazy ideas. There’s a reason Jordan calls her Hurricane.

“You must,” Jo says. “What I need is a full drink and my girls on the dance floor. All rise, ladies. We’re moving.”

I roll my eyes, but Jo just laughs and tugs me up from the bench. Knowing that arguing is futile, I grab a new drink from the tray the server just dropped off and follow my sister down the stairs to the chaos below.

“This is the best day of my life! I loooove Vegas,” Jo squeals, throwing her arm around my shoulders as she shakes her hips entirely out of beat.

My third margarita is doing its thing, and my entire body feels warm and relaxed.

The edges of the room are softened, and my senses are blurred enough that the noise and the crowds and the alcohol-soaked dance floor have faded to the background.

I don’t feel claustrophobic or sweaty or anxious that the room is so crowded I can’t move an inch without bumping into a sweaty stranger.

All I feel is a rush of fondness for my younger sister, and I’m happy to be down here with her and Amelia.

“I’m so fucking happy for you, Jo Jo,” I yell over the music, wrapping my arm around her waist and bumping my hip with hers.

“Me toooo,” Amelia sings, moving to the other side of Jo so the three of us are linked together. “I just love you guys so fucking much. A year ago, I didn’t even know you, and now I have no idea what I would do without you.”

“Aw, Ames.” Jo sniffs. “I love you too, but this night isn’t for emotions.

It’s for Deba…debauk…deb…debauchery!” Jo finally stumbles out, then bursts out laughing.

Her laughing sets me and Amelia off, and then all three of us are hysterical on the dance floor, arms around each other, and I can’t remember why I ever hated dancing in the first place.

Or why I was feeling all keyed up and anxious before.

I feel amazing.

“Look who we found!” I spin around at the sound of Jordan’s voice, immediately stumbling on my heels, but I’m saved from face planting on the dance floor by a strong arm around my waist. I glance up and straight into the deep blue eyes that have been haunting my dreams. The eyes that make me want things I don’t quite understand.

That make me want to ask for things my tipsy brain can’t parse right now.

Noah pulls me up, keeping his arm tight around my waist and my body tucked in close to his. The massive smile he aims at me has a curl of warmth snaking through me and my body buzzing with awareness as I draw slowly, infinitesimally closer to him.

“Hey, Gorgeous. Having fun?”