Page 62 of Sweet Ruin

“Newbie?” He gasped when he turned to face me. I must have caught him by surprise because he’d reverted to calling me by my old nickname.

“I thought I was just Isobel to you now.”

“Right.” He cleared his throat before he continued. “What are you doing here, Isobel?”

“Apparently, I’m crashing my ex-boyfriend’s birthday party.”

“I see that. The question is why?”

“I’m trying to work that out myself,” I said. “I was hoping you might have some idea why my dad dragged me here.”

“Your father’s here too?”

“Yep.”

Luther shook his head. “Is he crazy? William’s going to lose his mind, and Noah won’t be happy either.”

I nodded, dreading to think how either Noah or his grandfather would react if they saw my father. And if they saw me. Last time Noah saw my dad, he’d punched him.

“I shouldn’t be seen speaking with you,” Luther said, quickly finishing the rest of his drink and placing it down on the nearest table.

“Seriously?” I scoffed. “I get that Noah doesn’t want you to be friends with me. But does that mean we can’t even talk?”

Luther gave me a sad smile. “Whatever you’re doing here, I hope you enjoy your night, Isobel.”

He hurried past me without looking me in the eye and made his way back into the ballroom.

“Traitor,” I muttered to myself before moving closer to the edge of the balcony. I leant my arms on the wall and stared out at the Manhattan skyline. The clouds were low this evening, and the bright lights of the buildings were barely visible in the fog that shrouded them. There was no sign of the Empire State Building or my father’s name lighting up the sky.

Light drops of rain continued to fall, though they were coming in slightly faster. It was clear it wasn’t just a passing shower and anyone else who was still outside on the terrace began to retreat inside. I had no desire to return to the ballroom though. There was too much uncertainty in there. Too many surprises lying in wait. The rain seemed a far more acceptable foe. At least I knew what to expect from the rain.

“You’re here.”

I struggled to stop a shiver running through me as I heard Noah’s voice behind me. He sounded calm compared to Cress and Luther, who had both been shocked to see me. I turned to face him. He was dressed in a tuxedo, looking as handsome as he always did. Despite his formal outfit, his dark hair was still slightly messy, and his black bowtie was loose. His face echoed his composed tone of voice. He didn’t seem angry or surprised I was here. If anything, he seemed glad. It felt like I was never going to understand this boy.

“Yep, I’m here,” I said. “I’m not sure why, but I’m here.”

“Well, I did invite you.”

“You what?” I frowned. “Why would you invite me? My father?”

Noah let out a sigh and glanced up at the clouds overhead. The rain was getting heavier, but he didn’t seem to care as he let it fall upon his face, run down his cheeks, and splash against his suit.

“Noah?”

He lowered his eyes to me once more, and they almost seemed to sparkle as the slightest smile curved his lips. “Will you dance with me?”

“What?”

He held out a hand toward me and repeated the question. “Will you dance with me?”

“Out here? In the rain?”

“I don’t see you running inside to escape it,” he said. “So, yes, out here, in the rain.”

“Noah…”

“It is my birthday, after all.”

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