Noah (More Than Friends Book 2) Read online

  “He slept with me all night. I think he likes me.” I heard Lizzie as the door opened behind me. I was grinning too damn wide to turn around. She did things to me, and I wasn’t sure how to control it. Try breathing. Nope. Still feeling damn butterfly wings.

  Muffin hobbled along the walkway toward my feet, struggling to wiggle up the steps before pausing at ten dark blue toenails sparkling in the sunlight at my side. I trailed the length of Lizzie’s legs, swallowing hard at the excitement I felt when she sat next to me. She traced the outline of my mermaid and dropped her head against my bicep. Muffin shoved his stubby face into Lizzie’s hip until she pet him, a pestering fiend who actually made me a little jealous. Muffin hated everyone except the chief and me. And Lizzie.

  I reached across Lizzie’s lap to scratch Muffin’s head, whispering to him but in Lizzie’s ear. “I know, Muff. I like Lizzie too.” Her hands wrapped around my forearm, holding me across her body while she softly laughed and nuzzled her head against my arm.

  “Thank you for the walk, the wine, the date…Noah?”

  “Mm?” I pressed my lips to her curls, the perfume of her shampoo intoxicating me.

  “If I were to come over again, or more, or whatever, could you,” she moved to pull the shirt from around my shoulders, tossing it onto the porch, “keep not wearing shirts?”

  I leaned away from Lizzie, beaming at the smile she fought with a lip pierced between her teeth, catching her blush and knowing she’d caught me. “Whatever you say, Lizzie. It goes both ways, though. I’m not a piece of meat. I’ll keep my shirt off and you can wear it.” I snickered, moving to her side and taking my arm back so I could tug on a stray curl of her blonde hair. “You looked adorable in my sweatshirt last night.”

  “This morning,” Lizzie corrected. “Let me have some?” She took the cup of coffee, its contents still hot, and swallowed three large gulps without spilling a drop on either of us or Muffin, who continued pressing his lump of a body against Lizzie.

  “Thank you for staying,” I admitted. “It felt really good to talk…to you.”

  “Thanks for keeping me safe. I like your hero thing,” she flirted. Lizzie sighed after checking the time on her cell phone, turning on the porch to let me know she’d promised her friend Ella a lunch date.

  “What are you doing on Tuesday night?” she probed, her blue eyes flicking between mine hopefully. It was an irresistible expression, and one I assumed she didn’t often use, because one look at her and the world was hers.

  I tried stifle my grin, but it was futile. I wanted my fingers in her hair, tugging at the same curl she nervously twirled around her left index finger while she waited for my reply. I waited too, knowing it drove her crazy as I let the image of her perfect smile and bright blue eyes sink into me.

  “I’m on call,” I whispered, reaching to tug on a blonde curl, “starting at four, lasting through midnight.” I noticed her twirling slow, her pout appear. “But…”

  “I like buts.” Her smile returned, reaching her sparkling gaze. “Tell me more.”

  “I’ll be wherever you want me to be.”

  “My house, six on the dot.”

  “Is this an official date?” I watched her stand, walking to the steps in front of me while she leaned forward and pressed her soft lips against my temple.

  “Yes,” her quiet giggle came out with a hum, “and you can wear clothes. Just make sure they’re easy to come off so I can wear them later.” I. Was. Rigid. I stopped breathing, and she kissed me once more, resuscitating me. “See you in a few days, mermaid.”

  Chapter Eight

  “This counts as a real date, you know,” Lizzie reminded as she kissed my cheek, stepping back from her tiptoes to gaze into my eyes.

  “I’m well aware,” I teased, grinning at her. “That’s why I’ve got my phone on vibrate and my attention is focused on a beautiful woman.” Lizzie smirked as I took her hand while she stepped down from her stairs onto the sidewalk. It was only a few blocks to the art museum, so we walked. I couldn’t help but peek down at her toenails that poked out of her open-toed heels; this time, a sparkling red polish replaced the navy from a few nights ago.

  “I’m getting used to walking everywhere with you, mermaid,” she admitted, squeezing her small arms around my right bicep. “You’re growing on me.”

  I let her words swirl around before responding, considering the depth of our conversation when Lizzie spent the night, the threat of reality interrupting every perfect moment we shared. It happened so quickly, this unplanned happiness…I almost felt like I didn’t deserve it, like something would interfere with us being more than friends.

  “Good.” I kissed the top of her head, pushing away my pessimism. She stopped walking, jerking me back into her while her blue eyes narrowed. Hands on her hips, Lizzie pursed her lips. She even puffed out her chest and lifted her chin, defensive about something, and honestly, it was cute as hell. I bit my lip to fight the smile she gave me with her posture of challenge.

  “What?” I finally asked, trying to act serious while she stared at me, but it was nearly impossible. I kept thinking of her sparkly toenails and how soft her toned calves looked while she stood there.

  “That first weekend at the bar,” she began, blinking at me, “I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

  “Oh?” I bantered, licking my lips. “So you don’t actually like me?”

  “No,” she blurted. “Wait. Yes. I do. Too much. It’s just…I didn’t want you to think I’m some weirdo who’s falling in love with you after a few weeks of knowing you.” Dammit, she’s perfect.

  I reached out to tug one of her curls, feeling her soft cheek against my knuckles as I teased her. “Bleh. Love is the worst. Let’s not fall in love, Lizzie.”

  “Well, I can’t promise that…but I want to tell you that I’m not nuts. And!”

  “Yes?” I let go of her curl and stepped forward, closing the space between us before cupping her face in my palms. She looked up at me while I kissed her forehead, her speech stopped. I cocked my head, observing her pink cheeks with a grin I couldn’t resist.

  Lizzie swatted at my chest, her voice lower than usual as she spoke. “I know you’re going to be important to me, just like Sean is to Avery and like Jesse is to Ella. I felt it right away.”

  Blood rushed through my body, a searing flow that left me feeling invigorated, like the heart throbbing out of my sleeve found its home after all it had seen. After all it lost, it found a place to be for however long she wanted me around, in her life, as more than her friend.

  I pulled Lizzie’s hands from the curve of her hips and lifted her knuckles to my lips, softly kissing them while she stared at me. “Lizzie,” I paused, holding her hands to my mouth, “we have to trust the timing of life.”

  “You sound like Avery,” she playfully mocked. “Everything happens for a reason.”

  “Smart woman.” I considered a moment. “And she chose you as a best friend, so I already like her. Lizzie, can you try something with me right now?” She nodded, pulling her hands back to her body, and we began walking. This time, I held my arm around her shoulders and she clung to my waist.

  “Just breathe, babe.”

  ***

  It was almost seven by the time we entered the art museum, following the crowd of people gathering around the entrance. The lobby swelled with adults of all ages, some carrying flutes of champagne, others deep in conversation as they flowed throughout the galleries.

  Lizzie’s fingers slipped through mine as she reached to throw her arms around the guy who approached us. I stuffed my hands into my pockets, waiting while they exchanged greetings, Lizzie’s palm spending a little too long for my comfort level on his chest. I reminded myself to chill, considering she wasn’t mine…yet.

  “Thank you for coming,” he told her, beaming. “I owe you.”

  She turned to me, her cheeks pink, and nodded for me to take three steps toward them. “Noah, this is my boss.”

  “
Declan.” He extended a hand to me, and I was momentarily blinded by the silver watch slipping from his cuff.

  “Noah,” I responded, shaking his hand. He had a stiff shake, strong, powerful, and not obnoxious. I figured he was a good guy, considering Lizzie was back at my side, arms winding around me, while Declan and I were introduced. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “It’s about time.” Declan laughed, smiling at us. “Lizzie doesn’t shut up about her paramedic boyfriend.” I felt Lizzie still against me, and I smiled to myself, squeezing her fingers while Declan continued. “It’s great to put a face with the stories. I’m really glad you came, Noah. It’s open bar, so help yourselves.”

  “This is why I love you,” Lizzie teased him, tightening her hold around my waist. I ignored their exchange while I glanced around the room, paying attention only to how tightly Lizzie’s arms pressed around me. The pressure asphyxiated all other senses, only letting me focus on her. Her boyfriend. She and I definitely had some things to discuss…and I couldn’t wait.

  Lizzie’s grasp dropped before she took my hand from my pocket and guided us toward the bar, ordering two glasses of champagne from the bartender.

  “Do you think he’s cute?” she questioned, receiving my skeptical expression in response. “Tell me,” she cackled, reaching for the champagne glasses, “do you think Declan’s cute? I mean, I guess he’s handsome, but I’m trying to understand it because we have these interns who seriously follow him around with their tongues dragging on the floor. Did I tell you he and Avery dated?” Her eyes widened, quickly blinking as if to shake away a thought. “That was simultaneously awesome and awkward.”

  “So is this conversation,” I teased her, clinking our glasses once she finally stopped talking. “Cheers, Lizzie.”

  “Ooh,” she cooed, lifting her eyebrows, “to what?” I watched her eyes sparkle in suspense, buying time while my delay tortured her.

  “Oh,” I scanned her face, avoiding the eyes she batted at me, lifting my free hand to graze her cheek, “everything. Your friends. Your job. Your…boyfriend.”

  Lizzie sipped from her champagne, eyeing me over the rim of her glass. I swallowed and returned my glass to the bar, smiling at Lizzie’s inability to respond. I heard her shriek, spinning around and squealing instantly at the couple greeting her.

  “You came!”

  “Of course we would.” I recognized Jesse as he hugged Lizzie in greeting. Lizzie’s arms snaked around me once she finished hugging the couple.

  “You guys—” Lizzie was interrupted by an eager Ella, who was actually bouncing between us.

  “Oh my god!” Ella took my breath as she battled Lizzie’s embrace to squeeze the air from my lungs. I looked helplessly at Jesse, who was laughing before taking a glass of beer from the bartender.

  “Hey, Noah.” He nodded. “It’s great to see you.”

  “You too,” I coughed, unable to speak with four arms weaving around me like dainty, and ridiculously aggressive, vines. “Ladies…air…”

  “Sorry.” Ella blushed as she pulled away. “It’s just so amazing to see you…and,” she glanced at Lizzie and me, “well…”

  “Right.” I chuckled, kissing the top of Lizzie’s hair, feeling her body limp as I wrapped my right arm around her back. “Hi, Ella. Jesse.”

  Their smiles brought to life their friendship, but anyone who understood knew they were missing part of their group. Anyone who knew, that was. Anyone who saw through the laughter, the conversation, could see the patient unease displayed on their expressions. From Ella nibbling on her bottom lip to Lizzie’s fourth glass of champagne, something felt off for them, and it radiated into me.

  I tried catching up with Jesse, learning he was three years younger than me and he worked in educational policy. He was a policy wonk with a beard and polka dot socks and a laugh that surrendered anyone within earshot. He and Ella didn’t mention Sean, and I was desperate to ask. The small-talk game didn’t exist with them, though, so there wasn’t an awkward space to fill or an artificial need for me to try and remind them I knew them once, however morbid it was. We simply talked, and it was so different than with Ben or Silas. It was…hopeful. Granted, it could also have been the babe latched around me, whose heart I could feel pounding against my ribs whenever she squeezed me.

  I didn’t think she even noticed, and I liked that. A lot. Just like I really liked her. I listened while she and her friends discussed something about Ella trying to poison her boss, definitely an issue I’d want to ask more about in private, smiling at the right moment and answering any questions they had about me, not that there was much to share. Or that I wanted to share.

  Declan wandered back a few times, taking Lizzie with him to meet more people I didn’t know. It was the final time they left that Jesse poked the elephant.

  “I’m really sorry I haven’t had a chance to talk to you, or actually meet you, since we met. It’s really all a blur.”

  “No worries, man,” I reassured him, smiling kindly. “I’m happy to meet you now.”

  “I know, but…you did a lot for us that day, and I know I speak for all of them when I tell you we haven’t forgotten. But,” his palm met my shoulder as he started to laugh, “you’ve also done us the massive favor of occupying Lizard, which we will forever appreciate.”

  “Lizard?” I took a champagne flute from a passing server, taking a swig while Jesse snickered in front of me. He shook his head with a boisterous laugh spilling between us.

  “Sean started it. It’s her nickname,” he explained. “Lizzie’s one of my best friends, and she’s also a basket case, but one with a heart deeper than an ocean.” I nodded along, smiling while Jesse essentially gave me his version of the talk about Lizzie. I wondered what she told them, how much her friends knew about me or whatever Lizzie and I were, how we even got there. Boyfriend. Callie no longer counted, and I knew it by the way Lizzie made me feel. I had hope with her, and it felt how the books said it would. Calm, exciting, deserved. She was beautiful inside and out, and I had a hard time focusing on anything Jesse told me while Lizzie sauntered toward us.

  Ella bounced back from the restroom, adjusting her short brown hair while she glanced around at the crowd. “I’m done,” she announced with a smile. “I want to go home. Noah?”

  “Yeah?” I turned to Ella as Lizzie took my hand, feeling the spark rush throughout my body.

  “Do you want to get coffee or something next weekend?”

  “Why don’t you come to dinner on Sunday?” Jesse added. “Lizzie’s hosting this weekend.”

  “This weekend?” I peered down at Lizzie, catching her eyes. They were wide, hesitant, and encouraging in the same vibrant glow of blue. I kissed the top of her head and let my cheek rest on her curls. “Dinner with everyone at Lizzie’s this weekend sounds amazing. I’d love to.”

  ***

  It felt great to leave the bustle of downtown, our focus on the quiet walk home. Lizzie gave up on her heels, which honestly I battled admiring all night because of how gorgeous her legs looked in them, and I carried them in my left hand while my right intertwined our fingers.

  “You didn’t tell me Jesse and Ella would be there tonight,” I stated gently. “I would’ve been a better boyfriend if I knew that.”

  “I didn’t think they’d come. This night’s been in the works for months. I’m sorry.” She shrugged. “You’re not going to stop calling yourself that, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Good.”

  “Anything for you, girlfriend.”

  I heard her giggle as she pulled her fingers from mine while walking ahead. I stopped, letting her go at the crosswalk between Butler and Gorham. I waited for a moment, following her barefoot silhouette while Lizzie stepped away. The subtle sway of her hips, the delicate way her fingers simply dangled against her thighs as she walked, and I was hypnotized.

  “Mermaid?” She turned around, her thin eyebrows furrowing as she caught me staring at her.

  “
Come to the park with me.” I cocked my head to the left. “Please, girlfriend?”

  It was serene in the summer evening, the sounds of downtown just barely audible, covered by the sporadic traffic and peaceful lapping of waves against the shore. Lake Mendota sparkled beneath the moon, just like Lizzie’s eyes as we wandered through the park, finding a dry spot to settle on the ground. I bent my legs and opened my arms, welcoming Lizzie to sit against me, melting into a damn pool of ecstasy when she did. She told me more about Declan, her work, and what a relief it was for the museum event to conclude. I listened to every word, lapping it like one of the waves only feet away from us, eagerly waiting for more.

  I folded back the sleeves of my dress shirt, catching Lizzie’s head turn downward as she studied the ink on my exposed forearms. I stretched my arms around her from behind, holding her bent knees in my palms as her back fell against my chest. Her warmth rippled into my chest. I could feel the rush of oxytocin like the drug Lizzie was, pumping through me, helping me forget that at any moment I could’ve been called for work or called away.

  She rolled her head from side to side while she found a position that comforted her within my arms, resting her left cheek against my chest, head tipped back and eyes on mine.

  “I never come here during the day in the summer,” she whispered. “Too many people.”

  “I helped a woman give birth by that tree once,” I nodded my head in the distance, “and wrapped two broken noses from a frat fight up by that sidewalk. Over there, by the shoreline, I helped your friend Ben when he was puking.” Lizzie’s right hand folded over my right forearm, the fingers of her left tickling my mermaid on the other arm as I spoke.

  “Ben,” she hummed, “what a stud.” I grunted, shaking my head and refusing to acknowledge her banter. Thinking of Ben took me back to work and, until the phone vibrated in my pocket, I didn’t want to think of it.