Page 9 of Keeping Noelle

We sit down to eat and fall into easy conversation.

“The rugs should be here tomorrow or the day after,” she says as we both dig in.

“Good.”

“The floors have been so cold, so they will be nice to have, especially here in the living room.”

I nod, and the conversation changes to us laughing over memories from high school and talking about everything that happened while we were apart. I’m so lost in her stories, in the way her laughter fills the room, that I almost forget the plan I’d made to finally tell her how I feel.

We finish eating and she helps me clear the table. I take a deep breath, reminding myself that this is it. Tonight, I’m going to tell her.

“Noelle,” I start as I set the last dish down, my voice coming out rougher than I intended. “Would you want to… maybe go see that new holiday movie in town with me tonight?”

Her eyes widen, and her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink. “Like…a date?” she asks, voice barely above a whisper.

I nod slowly, my heart pounding as I watch her expression shift from surprise to something softer, almost hopeful. “Yeah. Like a date.”

She bites her lip, nodding with a smile. “I’d like that.”

Yes.

“Great! The next showing starts soon so we should probably leave soon.”

“Okay,” I’ll just go grab a sweater and get my shoes on.”

“Me too.”

We both head to our rooms to change, and I can’t stop grinning as I pull on a clean shirt and jacket. By the time I return to the living room, Noelle’s already waiting, looking as beautiful as ever in a cozy sweater and jeans, her brown hair cascading down her shoulders. I offer her my arm, and she takes it with a shy smile.

As we step outside, I realize the snow has picked up, blanketing everything in white. She carefully walks down the porch steps, but just as she reaches the last one, her boot slips on the ice. Instinctively, I reach out, catching her in my arms.

“Whoa,” she breathes, gripping my shoulders tightly.

She’s pressed up against me, her eyes locked on mine, and I can feel the rapid beat of her heart matching my own.

I lean down, my face inches from hers. “Are you alright?”

She nods, her voice a whisper. “Yeah. Thanks for catching me.”

“Of course.”

We stare at each other, neither one of us breaking eye contact and something passes between us.

Before I can stop myself, I close the distance, brushing my lips softly against hers. Her hands tighten on my shoulders, and to my surprise, she kisses me back, her mouth warm and sweet against mine. My heart swells, and I pull her closer, pouring every unspoken word, every bottled-up feeling, into that kiss. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of and so much more.

But then, her phone rings, shattering the moment.

She pulls back, glancing at the screen with a frown and I know right away who it is.

“It’s them, isn’t it?” I ask, my voice tight with displeasure.

She sighs, nodding. “Unfortunately.”

“Don’t answer,” I tell her, and she looks up at me miserably.

“If I don’t answer, they’ll just keep calling.”

I don’t want her to answer. I don’t want her to feel that obligation, that pull back to people who don’t deserve even a second of her time, but I can see the guilt in her eyes, the familiar weight her family always puts on her shoulders.

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