Page 44 of Before We Were

"Hey, Nate! Let's play Seven Minutes in Heaven because you're seven!" Justin says, super excited. We don't know what that means, but big kids play it, so we want to try.

Me and Nora end up in the dark closet together. I can smell the laundry soap Mommy uses and feel Nora sitting close to me. I can’t see her because it’s dark but my tummy feels all fluttery, like there are butterflies inside.

"Nate?" Nora whispers. "Why do you look sad?"

"I'm not sad," I lie, but my voice sounds wobbly.

"Liar, liar, pants on fire," she says, but not in a mean way. She says it nice, like when Mommy tells me everything will be okay.

“When Mommy or Daddy is sad, they give each other a kiss to feel better." Then Nora leans in and gives me a quick kiss on my lips. "Did it make it better?"

My heart does a funny jump, and I feel dizzy like when I spin around too much. "Yeah, I think so."

The door opens super fast, and the light hurts my eyes. "Time's up, lovebirds!" Justin yells and runs away laughing. Nora stands up and holds out her hand.

"Come on, Nate, I got you." Her hand feels warm and safe in mine.

In those seven minutes, Nora didn't just give me my first kiss—she made everything better. I think she took a piece of my heart. But I was okay with it because it was Nora.

CHAPTER13

BITCHES AND BONFIRES

NORA

PRESENT DAY

I trailbehind Camilla and Marcus, my sandals crunching softly against the path as we approach the bonfire's inviting glow. The crisp night air carries notes of sea salt and burning driftwood, mingling with bursts of laughter that rise above the rhythmic crash of waves. It should feel peaceful but my stomach remains knotted with anxiety.

Camilla catches my eye, her smile warm and reassuring. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I say, aiming for confidence I don't quite feel. "I'm gonna look for Jake and Ollie real quick."

"We'll meet you by the fire." As I turn away, Camilla catches my hand. "If anything goes sideways, come find me, okay?"

I nod, touched by her protectiveness after knowing me less than a day. But as I weave through the crowd, my heart plummets. Connor is here, a smirk playing across his features despite the fresh bruise where Nate's fist connected. His eyes lock onto mine, predatory, and each step he takes in my direction sends ice through my veins. I stand frozen, the festivities blurring around me as he closes in.

"I need to have a word with you," he says, voice low and menacing.

Before I can respond, salvation arrives in the form of a girl with flawless caramel skin and expressive brown eyes. Her long dark hair cascades in waves down her back as she steps between us with practiced grace. Dismissing Connor with a glance, she grabs my hand.

"You came!" she exclaims, her voice rich with both warmth and steel as she steers me away from him.

Relief floods through me once we're clear. "Thanks for the save," I manage, my voice lighter than it has felt all evening.

"No problem," she replies, her smirk blooming into a genuine smile. "I've had my fill of dealing with guys like him. Egotistical jackoffs seem to be everywhere."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "I see you're already acquainted with Eden's local wildlife."

"Well, I'm from London. We have our share of pompous jerks too. But trust me, they're universal." She pauses. "I'm Mia, by the way."

"I'm Nora." Despite her polished appearance, there's something immediately approachable about her.

She opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off preemptively, bracing for questions about last night's drama.

Instead, she asks, "Oh, I was wondering if you knew Lydia Sullivan?"

My features soften with surprise. "Uh, yeah. She's a family friend. We spend every summer with the Sullivans at their lake house." Guilt washes over me for assuming the worst. "Sorry, I thought you were about to ask if I was the girl from the??—"

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