Page 167 of I Shouldn't Love This Way

“Insightful.”

“I could explain my philosophical views to you, but I have some work to finish up, and you need to study.”

It was only 8p.m. for me, which meant it was 1a.m. over there.

“Before I forget,” Noah said. “Did you get that delivery today?”

“Yes, I did.” I turned my laptop toward my nightstand so that he could see the vase full of roses. “You really don’t have to send me flowers every day, Noah.”

“I know, but I meant it when I said you’d receive a single rose from me for all the days I’m not with you.”

He was so romantic.

“Why red, though? You know white roses are my favorite.”

“Because the red rose represents love at first sight.”

“Says who?”

“Says me… What are you doing?”

“Googling something,” I replied, clicking on a webpage that explained the meaning of rose colors. “According to this site, ‘a white rose represents purity and innocence. When a man presents a lady with a white rose, he is showing her he is worthy of her love.’ What do you think?”

“I think… I’m not worthy of you.”

I grimaced. “I wish you wouldn’t feel that way.”

“There are many things about my past I haven’t shared. I’m sixteen years older than you, Aria, and I’ve lived long enough to experience a lifetime of mistakes I deeply regret.”

His eyes seemed so remorseful. I knew he had difficulty digging through his past, and I never wanted to force him to tell me, but I was curious to know everything about Noah.

“You can always talk to me about it,” I said. “I would never judge you.”

“I know, beauty.” He smiled. “Give me time. I would prefer to open up about my past in person, not behind a computer screen.”

“I understand. I love you, Noah.”

“I love you, too. I always will. Don’t forget that.”

“Never.” I kissed my fingers and placed them over the webcam.

“One more,” he requested.

“Mmmmuah!” My lips almost touched the screen.

Noah grinned. “That hit the spot—gave me chills. Please tell me you’re not walking around college boys with your shirt buttons undone. I’d been hoping that was just a high school phase.”

“Maybe I’m trying to seduce my professor… am a divine confessor of love… an innocent dove.”

He stifled a laugh and said, “Innocent my ass! That’s way too much cleavage.”

“Vanessa would leave the house with her tits out!”

“Don’t compare yourself to her. You’re outrageously beautiful, and I just don’t want you attracting the wrong kind of attention.”

“Are you gonna stalk me and show up while I’m walking down a dark alleyway?”

“I think you’re watching too many psych thrillers. Don’t go gallivanting alone at night—or else.”

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