Page 20 of Stolen Kisses
Chapter 5
Noah cleared his throat, trying to get it to open up because right now he felt like he was suffocating even though he was outside with the fresh salty air that he loved.
Krista cocked her head to the side and pointed a finger. “Don’t tell me you forgot.”
He shook his head softly. “No.” In fact, the memory had even haunted his sleep last night.
“Good.” Krista crossed her arms at her chest and looked up at the stars. She sighed dreamily. “God, I wish this was my view every night.”
His throat started to tighten again. He’d never had a panic attack before, but this must be what one felt like. Was she aiming to move in with him now?
She glanced over, concern lighting her blue eyes. “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?”
Everything is wrong.
“I’m fine. Just need some water. Want some?”
“Sure.” Krista was smiling again, even though her brow was slightly furrowed.
Noah took one deep breath and followed that with another as he entered his tiny kitchen and poured himself a glass. He drank half its contents before heading outside to see Krista again. He had to tell her. A relationship with him would never work. He needed to tell her about his college girlfriend, proof that he was a relationship dud. He couldn’t handle commitment. He was flawed and that would probably never change.
Krista frowned. “It’s just one day, Noah. You said you’d take Adam out on the boat and he really needs this. I will owe you big-time.”
Noah blinked. His fingers tightened around the glass in his hand. “What are you talking about?”
Krista pointed at the chair. “Sit down. Are you sure you’re all right? You’re acting really weird, even for you.”
He handed her the water he’d poured her and sat down. “Is that what this is about? Taking that kid out fishing?”
“What did you think it was about?” Her eyes searched his. “Oh, no. Please tell me I didn’t say anything when you took me home the other night. What did I say?” She covered her ears. “No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. I always embarrass myself when I drink too much.”
Despite his near panic attack a few moments earlier, he chuckled under his breath. “Getting you drunk is how I access all your secrets.”
Her gaze slid over. “I only have the one. And you’re the only one who knows that I am a total pig after dark.”
Noah laughed harder, his mind pressing in and objecting that Krista only had one secret. She had two. She loved his little dimple. That didn’t mean anything, though. Maybe their kiss was no big deal. He cleared his throat and looked at his friend. She had no idea what had happened in her bedroom the other night. Relief poured over him. They didn’t have to talk about the kiss. They didn’t have to acknowledge it or figure out what to do about it. It didn’t have to mean anything. The elephant in the room was merely a fly sitting on his shoulder now.
“I’m just teasing you,” he told her.
“Oh.” She blew out a breath. “Phew. So Adam. Can we do the fishing trip tomorrow? I know it’s last minute, but you’ve been impossible to get in touch with over the last forty-eight hours. He’s a really sweet kid. You’ll adore him.”
“I don’t really think I have a choice, do I? I told you I’d take him on the boat, so I will. It’s officially the weekend and tomorrow is just as good a day as any.”
Krista cheered. “Okay, great. I’m going to go call his mom right now and set it up. I’m so excited I can hardly think straight. Thank you, Noah.” She reached over and touched his forearm, a simple gesture that she’d been doing all their lives. Simple until it was complicated by that not-so-simple kiss.
“No problem,” he said, stiffening under the graze of her fingers.
Krista stood. “Talk to you tomorrow morning.”
With a small wave and a huge smile, she left Noah to his stargazing.
She didn’t remember the kiss. Now if only he could forget.
—
Being on a boat was second nature to Krista. She loved the breeze, the sun, the buoyancy of the water below making her feel like she was weightless. She glanced over at Adam and smiled. It was his first time experiencing the feeling. His wide green eyes lit with pure childlike excitement. After the week he’d just endured, he deserved this.
Krista hugged one arm around his tiny shoulders and turned to look at Noah. He stood behind the helm, dark glasses shading his eyes. She couldn’t tell if he was looking at them or the water. Or if he was simply lost in his own tangent of thoughts, which was often the case. Especially this week. He’d fallen off the earth after Wednesday. She’d had to track him down last night and he’d been jumpy at first, almost as if he was scared of her.
