Page 4 of Moonstruck at Midnight
“Don’t worry. I’m just messing with you.” Had Caleb kissed more girls from school? Or just Noelle? I couldn’t stop wondering, but I quickly dismissed the thought because the answer was pretty obvious.
The real question was, why did I care?
“Besides, Noelle’s really—pretty,” I added. She was. A wave of unexpected emotions caught me off guard. One thing is to see girls trying to get his attention unsuccessfully, and another is to see himFrench kissingblonde Noelle from school.
It was more than likely he would prefer I didn’t find out about his escapades. It bothered me that he would seemeas a child butthemas something else.Why?I’m sure he found them way more exciting than dull, book reading, stay-at-home on the weekends me.
The rest of the ride to the restaurant was quiet as the grave. I regretted teasing him about it, especially in front of Aaron, who would call him out on it for sure.
But I always teased him, so why wouldn’t I this time?
I caught myself overthinking.
Stop.
Caleb darted out of the car as it was still coming to a stop,his signature move, and rushed to open the door for me. He followed me inside, where the hostess greeted me and showed me to my table.
I double cheek-kissed Sophie and Cecile and tried to sound casual when I apologized for being late.
“Good evening, ladies,” Caleb said, pressing his lips together afterward, looking guilty. He pulled the chair out for me and walked away to join Aaron outside.
“Is everything okay?” Cecile asked in the cutest French accent ever, following Caleb with her eyes.
“Ah, yes! Just caught Caleb and Noelle smooching outside of the Residence.”
“Smooching?” Sophie asked with a grimace.
“Kissing!” I replied with a nervous laugh.
“Wait. Noelle, as in your sister’s friend, Cecile?” Sophie inquired.
“I thought she had a boyfriend,” Cecile said, lifting the corners of her mouth with a frown.
“Oh, come on, she’s been hunting him since high-school,” Sophie said.Basically. “And Caleb, well, he’s a flirt.”Yup. “He’s always loved the attention.”Double yup.
Our table was beside the window where we had a clear view of Caleb, who had just lit a cigarette—probably trying to smoke his embarrassment away.
“Did it—upset you?” Cecile asked, her eyes locking mine with speculation.
“Psh, of course not.”
I peeked over my shoulder again, but Caleb caught me staring at him. He must’ve known by then that he was the topic of conversation. I swiftly looked away, pretending to sneeze afterward. I don’t know why I did it.
“Bless you!” Cecile chirped.
“I see now why he calls you Red, and I don’t think it’s only because of your hair. I wonder how many times you’ve blushed like this with him,” Sophie teased with a playful smile.
“Sophie, stop!” I laughed. My cheeks were warm. Inflamed. I felt doomed by the newfound, silly infatuation, but I wouldn’tdaretell a soul. If my father somehow knew about it, he would send Caleb away. And not having him come to New York wasn’t an option for me. Ineededhim.
Caleb’s presence in my life became an essential element of my sense of security and happiness. He was a friend I couldn’t afford to lose. I had to make myself snap out of it.
Besides, he was kissing Noelle, which meant he likedher. I mean, he undoubtedly had kissed a bunch of girls by then. It would’ve been naïve of me to think otherwise.
Cecile stared at me with a puzzled expression on her face. I shook my head as I came out of my daze, completely lost in thought.
“Ah, yes, sorry—what?”
“Ready to order?” she asked, apparently for the second time. The antsy server took our order and left the table promptly. Sophie and Cecile kept talking, but I couldn’t keep my focus on their chatters. My mind was elsewhere, thinking about Caleb and Noelle kissing.
