Page 12 of A Lapse in Time

I didn’t want either of us to get too far into our heads, so I was the first to break the silence.

“Where’s Nia?”

“Today, she’s with your parents. Tomorrow she’ll go to my father’s house. Carlie is going to get her too. We wanted you to get acclimated to being here first. She can come home whenever you are ready. But not tonight, though, because we have a date.” He smirked.

“Okay. I feel like you may have told me that already. So…” I started apologizing again, but Noah’s look made me shut my mouth. It wasn’t angry, but I could tell he would say something about me apologizing again. “Anyway, where are we going?”

Noah’s face instantly lit up, and it made me feel good.

“I can’t tell you. Just know it will be somewhere special. Your day starts soon. I’m going to take the dishes downstairs and confirm with your sister. I have some other things to do, but I’ll see you tonight.”

I wasn’t sure what Noah had planned, but I looked forward to whatever it was.

“Okay. I’m going to take the Tylenol and rest a little before Carlie comes.”

“Good idea.”

Noah released my hand and removed the tray from my lap. As he did that, I took the Tylenol and got comfortable. Once I lay down, Noah stood by the bed and pulled the covers over me.

“I’ll see you soon.” He leaned over, kissed my forehead, and left the room.

“I’m so nervous.”A few hours later, my sister and I were in my bedroom, putting the finishing touches on my look for the evening. We spent the last few hours getting pampered.

“I understand. But let me tell you something.” Carlie turned me around to face her. “That man is in love with you. There is nothing to worry about when you are with him.”

“It’s crazy because I believe that, and I feel comfortable with Noah even if I’m not familiar with him. I only remember the teenage him. He was nice to me then, even when his girlfriend was a bitch.” My eyes rolled toward the ceiling.

Carlie laughed loudly. “She was, wasn’t she? You should have beat her ass just for shits and giggles. It’s not worth it, though. You got Noah, and she’s still trying to find a husband. Anyway, there is nothing for you to worry about. Go out with your husband and have fun. Ask him questions if you need to. If Mom or I felt like it would be a problem, we would have made you come with one of us. Noah has your best interest at heart.”

I wrapped my arms around my sister’s waist and hugged her. Carlie had always been my best friend, and it felt good to know we were still close. If anybody knew how to ease my nerves, it was her.

"I love you, sister. Thank you," I expressed and squeezed her tighter.

"I love you too. Stand up so I can see the final look." She stepped back to give me room to stand. "Beautiful, and Noah is going to love it." Carlie pulled me into her arms and held me for a second.

Once we separated, the doorbell rang.

"Who is at the door?" I asked Carlie.

She had the biggest smile on her face when she said, “Go find out."

My stomach felt like a swarm of butterflies was flying around as Carlie and I made our way downstairs. I would do what Carlie advised and try my best to enjoy my time with Noah. If my sister trusted him with me, and my parents seemed to be okay with him, I knew I was safe.

I stoodon the porch of my house, anxious as hell as I waited for Carsyn to open the door. I knew she was ready because Carlie and I planned this date, and I had already told her what time I needed Carsyn ready. My palms were a little sweaty because I was so nervous. The date could go really well or badly. I was surprised Carsyn even agreed to go with me. She seemed cool with it being only her and me.

Carlie suggested I treat it like a real first date since, technically, it was. That meant ringing the doorbell, bringing her flowers, and doing all the other things men do on first dates. I have done stuff like that all the time for Carsyn over the years, but this time was different. She had no recollection of our past, and I wanted all of her new memories to be good ones.

My pulse quickened when the door opened, and Carsyn came into view.

"Wow, you look beautiful."

"Thank you." She dropped her chin toward her chest, but I noticed the moment her cheeks reddened.

Carsyn's skin always reminded me of warm caramel, and she was sweet like it too.

"I got these for you," I told her, handing her the bouquet.

She took them from me, sniffing them before putting them on the table near the door.

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