Page 39 of False Start

"Yes, we can keep hanging out." I try (and fail) not to laugh at the cute happy dance he does beside me. "But! I still think we should keep it on the low. We're just having fun, keeping things light. There's no need to tell the whole world, especially when I can think of at least one person who might be pissed."

I don't miss the slight slump of his shoulders, but his smile remains intact.

"That works for me," he says brightly. He kisses my cheek and stands. "Listen, D. I need to head back to my place and get cleaned up, go for my run, meal prep. You know, Sunday shit. Text me when you want to hang and next time, don't wait a week."

He winks and starts for the door.

"You could also text me," I call after him. He just smiles as he leaves my room.

I fall back onto my pillows, certain I've got a goofy grin on my face. I most definitely will not be waiting a week.

Chapter seventeen

Cory

Noah

Noah:Hey, bro! I've got an extra ticket to tonight's premiere. There's an after-party that's sure to be your brand of fuckery. You in?

Ilookdownatmyphone and chuckle. As a partner at a talent agency that was recently named "one to watch" by Variety, partying with potential clients like a freshman on Spring Break in Cancun is practically Noah's job. For years, I've been his default +1, bedding more than my share of beautiful actresses and models. Since restarting things with Denise a few weeks ago, though, I've been screening his texts.

The Monday after I first volunteered at the center, she texted me a block from my house. Someone at Bailey Maxwell ordered the wrong material for her design prototype, setting her back another week, and she needed to work out her frustration. She'd slipped her panties off in the elevator and attacked my face with her lips as soon as I opened the door.

The next day, I was so distracted by flashbacks of her mouth all over me I had to double-check my simulation for a VIP clienttwicebefore sending. I showed up on her doorstep that night with a bottle of rosé, a bag of hot wings, and a mission to drive her as crazy as she'd had me all day. I had to leave for work straight from her place the next morning after accidentally falling asleep.

I promised myself I wouldn't text her on Wednesday. Not because I didn't want to, but because she would probably figure out I was slowly becoming obsessed if we hooked up every day. By Thursday, however, I wanted her so badly I was itching under my shirt.Thank fuckshe texted to meet at my place later that night before I caved.

When I showed up to volunteer with her again the following Saturday, not only did we spend the entire night afterwards in bed, but we also stopped pretending we weren't addicted to each other. Since then, we've been hooking up four times a week,—minimum—and I've upped my volunteering game so much, her girl Tiffany asked if I wanted to join the center part-time. I'm still mulling that over.

Even sticking to late nights and weekends, my family is starting to catch on. Adam mentioned I've been MIA in the group chat, and Damon complained I missed the last flag football game. Excuse me for skippingonegame. He misses them the entire basketball season!

Noah, in particular, has been salty about my absence.

Noah

Sorry, man. No can do. I've already got a hot date tonight. ;-)

One I'm currently speed-walking to so the fudge brownie ice cream I bought doesn't melt before I can lick it off her body. I harden in my pants just thinking about it. Our booty calls aren't technicallydates, but Noah doesn't need to know that.

My phone vibrates again.

Noah

Noah:What gives, bro? You missed football, drinks with the bros, AND opening night of the New York Film Festival. Now you're turning down another chance to act a fool on the red carpet?

I sigh and nod to Mike on my way through the lobby. Even he mentioned "seeing a lot of Ms. Jeffries" last week before I politely, but firmly, asked him to mind his damn business.

Noah

My bad, man. But if you saw this woman, you would understand.

A minute passes before he responds.

Noah

Noah:WOMAN? As in SINGULAR? I figured you were just cycling through your roster, but you're telling me ONE woman has you tangled up like this?

My shoulders bunch under my shirt.Shit.That was a hell of a slip. I unlock my door and drop my keys on the counter before putting the sweating ice cream into the freezer.

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