Page 101 of Something Like Hail

Hearing that voice again had been hardenough, but when it spoke his name… “Yeah,” he croaked. “It’sme.”

“Why didn’t you say so fromthe beginning?” Harold laughed, sounding happy. “Man! How have youbeen?”

“Great,” he replied. “I uh…I have a lot of calls to get through, so do you think you can bethere? It’s one of Marcello’s—”

“Fundraisers, I know. I’vehelped out with them before. Is he short on waitersagain?”

“Basically. There’s alsothis date auction thing to raise extra money. Think you’d be up forit?”

“Sure!” Harold replied.“Are you going to be there that night? It would be fun to catchup.”

He wanted to say that, no, in fact he wouldnot be there and they would never see each other again, thank youvery much. But that wasn’t true, in regard to either future eventsor current desires. “I’ll be there.”

“Cool! So I’ll see youthen?”

“I’ve got you down on thelist,” Noah said. “Sorry. I need to contact the next personnow.”

“No problem. I’m reallyglad you called.”

“Thank you for helpingout,” he said quickly. Then he disconnected the call before Haroldcould say anything else. He looked up and got an approving nod fromNathaniel, so at least there was that, but the brief conversationhad left him shaken. As did the idea that they might see each otheragain. He redoubled his efforts to get through the list.Afterwards, his help was required for other small tasks, but thiswas a welcome distraction. When he was finally free and had leftthe studio, he knew the perfect cure for his uneasyheart.

Where are you?he texted.

Home, came the response, along with a blushing emoji.

Noah grinned and got in his truck. Fifteenminutes later, he was parked in front of Felix’s apartmentcomplex.

Comeoutside, he texted.

Mom’s not home. Come inside!

I wouldn’t get any sleep. Again. And neitherwould you.

LOL True.

He waited next to his truck, watching asFelix left the apartment and looked around uncertainly. Then hespotted Noah and shyly smiled while walking over to him. He waswearing an outfit too pressed to be the one he had worn to class,and his dark hair was freshly styled. He might have even showeredrecently, because Noah could smell body wash or cologne.

“So,” Felix said when closeenough. “Do we talk first, or do we just… Um.”

“Get over here,” Noah said,pulling on him. “You’re adorable, you know that?”

“No,” Felix answeredseriously. “Are you sure?”

Noah laughed. “I’ll prove it.”

First he stared into those dark eyes,watching them widen as their faces neared. They closed at the sametime their lips touched, Noah keeping it short and simple. Morethan just a peck, but a kiss that was innocent despite beingintimate. When he pulled back, Felix nearly fell forward, clearlynot wanting it to end. He was shorter than Noah, which meant thosebig vulnerable eyes were trained upward, like a pet who knew themost effective way to beg.

“You really are my cutelittle cat,” Noah said, brushing the smooth cheek with the back ofhis hand. “Except without any whiskers.”

“I can try growing some,”Felix offered.

“I like you just the wayyou are.”

“Oh. Because I was thinkingof dyeing my hair. Sometimes I like to add a little color, but ifyou don’t want that, then—”

Noah smooched him again to stop him short.Then he pulled back. “Some relationship advice: If a guy wants youto change, especially this early on, don’t waste your time on him.He’s not worth it.”

“Okay.” Felix thought aboutit. “Are you saying Ishouldn’tchange? It would just be a couple ofstreaks.”