Page 37 of One Killer Night

I grin harder. He kisses me.

A quiet, breathy laugh leaves me before I pull away, teasing, “Your windows are all nailed shut. How exactly would I do that? You know what, scratch that. It’s no fun if you know I’m coming.”

So gently that it makes me shiver, his thick fingers find their place right around my throat as his eyes fix on mine.

“Killer, I always know.”

I swallow because that felt dirty before I’m kissed for the second time.

As his hand lowers, I’m struck by a thought. Something I’ve come to realize about Noah is that he’s a man of few words, but the ones he chooses always hit the mark.

I sigh as I open my eyes, still stuck in a bubble.

He lifts our joined hands, brushing his thumb over my cheek, where I know I’m blushing, but damn if he doesn’t always make me. People cheer from next to us, reminding me we’re not alone, so I clear my throat, hoping to pull myself out of my Noah haze.

Thankfully, I’m saved by the ding ... the ding of my phone.

We both step away to a more respectable distance, smiling sillily, as I let go of his hand to see who’s texting me, already knowing it’s my sister.

Evie:I’m here. Just parked. I stole a spot in front of some news vans.

And this is why she should be labeled “Evil,” not “Evie,” in my phone. She’s a demon.

I chuckle and look up at Noah. “My sister said there’s news vans. That’s great, right?”

He nods, glancing over his shoulder but saying nothing before shoving his hands into his pockets.

Me:Hurry up. We’re in the middle at the dunk tank.

Evie:Ten four.

Noah’s voice nabs my attention, pulling my face up to his.

“Does she know you’re setting her up?”

My mouth falls open, and I pretend to be shocked over such an accusation, even though Noah’s onto me.

I’ve hung out with Noah and his bestie more than a handful of times now, and each time, I’m more and more convinced Chase is perfect for my sister. But that’s stayed my little secret, especially since when they first met, it didn’t exactly go swimmingly.

Evie’s an acquired taste ... although Chase’s refusal to dine on her every word wasn’t the problem.

“I’m not setting her up ... I would never. How dare you accuse me of such nonsense. I’m just notnotsetting her up.”

He shakes his head as we step forward in line again. “You’re just gonna throw them together again and see what happens?”

“Exactly.”

“You know who else famously did that? The Romans. You didn’t bring any lions, did you?”

I laugh, rolling my eyes. “Hear me out ... Evie’s like a hot guy in a girl’s body—allergic to commitment, immune to being love bombed, and food is her love language. And Chase is, well, the ultimate sarcasticdudebro chef. They’re the same person. They just need a little nudge. It’s a perfect match.”

“Or a potential bloodbath.” He winks.

I shove at his chest, but Noah catches my hand there, lowering his voice so only I can hear. “Let’s make a deal. If they hate each other—”

“Which they won’t,” I interject, but he ignores me, continuing.

“—andsheeatshimalive again, you’re staying up late with the baby to dry his tears.”