Page 56 of The Ghost of You

“Really?” I honestly thought it would take a bit more coercion on my side.

“Yes. Now get out of here so I can make something and get ready.”

“You don’t need to bring anything.”

She looks at me like I’ve grown horns. “Yes, I do. I wasn’t raised by wolves. When did you want to leave?”

I smile at her as her free-spirited attitude comes out. “Noon?”

“I can make that work.” She stands and I follow. “Now scoot so I can get ready.”

15

Anna

I don’t knowwhy I said I would do this. I mean, spending time with Noah is my number one reason. But as we get deeper into the mountains, my hands start sweating. I haven’t been around family during a holiday in seven years. It should be easier because it isn’t mine. But after hearing what the Taylors went through, I can’t help but see the similarities. Not to mention they have a son that ran just like I ran when Kyle died.

I look over at Noah as he drives and see him flicking glances at me. Like he is worried I might change my mind and hitchhike back to Asheville. I know I will not find a taxi service out in these woods.

I nearly jump when Noah reaches over the center console of his SUV and grabs my hand.

“You don’t need to be nervous?”

“I’m not nervous,” I squeak.

“You sure about that?”

I shift in my seat. “Will they think it’s weird you are bringing a friend?”

“I told my mom you were coming. She was ecstatic. She loves company.”

“Oh god, does she think we are dating?”

He chuckles and I bask in the sound. I love when he lets down his guard a bit, acts more carefree. “No I made that clear. Said you were a friend of mine and Mase.”

“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “Okay. That would have been awkward.”

He raises a brow at me.

“I mean, not that I wouldn’t date you. I would. You are like the perfect specimen of a man and—” Shit.Did I say that out loud?I look over at him and I nearly die at the expression on his face. I can feel my cheeks are the color of a fire engine. I bury my face in my hands. “I didn’t mean that. I mean, I would. But goddamnit. Fuck me. Okay, I don’t want your mom thinking something—”

Noah starts laughing before squeezing the top of my knee. “Relax. It will all be fine.”

I just nod my head and turn so my hair covers my face. Hopefully the red of my hair covers the red on my cheeks. I stare out the window and hope he isn’t looking at me.

His hand stays on my leg for what feels like hours but I am sure is only thirty seconds. “So you would really date me?”

I try to keep my jaw from hanging open. Is he really wondering that? I feel like I am very obvious when it comes to my attraction to him. But wait, does that mean he wants to date me too?

Before I can say anything stupid Noah goes on. “I’m kidding, Anna. But it does something to my ego. Makes me not feel like an old man.”

I peek through my hair at him and see him smiling. “You’re not an old man.”

“I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime some days.”

“Don’t we all.”

We stay silent for most of the ride. He drums his hands along to the classic rock on the radio while I take in the views of the mountains. Every now and then we will pass a clearing on the winding road and the view will be incredible. Like I can see hundreds of miles away, mountain top after mountain top of green trees as far as I can see.

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