Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 135522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135522 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
When I’m finished waxing poetically about Noah, I notice that Malcolm has barely said a word, his face reflecting nothing.
It suddenly occurs to me that this information might not be a good thing for Malcolm, who has been sweating buckets over this whole event, and who might see my surprise secret relationship with Noah as a terrible obstacle.
Maybe I shouldn’t have told him.
This was a huge mistake.
Then Malcolm gasps with such force, it’s like he’s trying to suck his face into his face. “Cole! This is the greatest news ever!”
I blink. “It is?”
“I’m so happy for you!” He glances over his shoulder, as if to check whether someone lurks there, then leans forward. “But we have got to keep this between just us, alright?”
“Oh, I know.”
“Nadine will lose her shit if she finds out. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure she will be happy and relieved that you’ve found a guy. But she’ll probably freak out first. Just between us, the mayor thing is a bigger deal than she anticipated, and she has these days where she calls me over and just … cries over wine with me. It is a side of her I never dreamed I’d see. Right now would be … the very wrong time to tell her that her leading bachelor isn’t actually a bachelor.” Malcolm reconsiders. “Though, to be fair, a bachelor by definition is just a guy who isn’t married. By that definition, even I’m a bachelor. Samuel would of course vehemently disagree and thrust a ring right on my finger if he heard that. Y’know what? I’m talking entirely too much. Tell me everything.” Malcolm comes even closer. “Spill all the tea, every last drop.”
With that, I tell him how it came to be. Running into Noah at the festival. Talking to him at the Strongs’. Our failed attempt at an interview the next morning. The photo shoot and the dinner. Our secret rendezvous at his house last night—minus the intimate details, of course. Malcolm is there to drink up every bit of it.
“I’m so happy for you,” he sighs when I finish. “Really, this is the best thing ever. I feel so relieved. By the way, how does Noah feel about you and the you-getting-auctioned-off-like-a-piece-of-art thing that’s about to happen?”
“Noah’s the one who wanted me to keep us a secret until this is all over with. He seems to be okay with it.”
“It wouldn’t be the worst thing to admit that you’re seeing someone. Celebrities get ‘auctioned off’ in fundraising events all of the time,” Malcolm points out. “People know it’s just an innocent night out. You’re not marrying the highest bidder or anything.”
“Don’t say that around Nadine. She’ll think it’s an idea.”
“Touché,” he mumbles.
“Still, I have to respect Noah’s wishes and keep this secret.”
“Do you think he’ll mind that you told me? Oh, this is fun,” he realizes suddenly. “Keeping a secret about Mr. Picture Perfect that no one in town knows. How scandalous. Cole, I am literally getting goosebumps. Look.”
I chuckle. “No, I don’t think he’ll mind.”
“Do you see the goosebumps?”
“Yes, I do,” I answer with another chuckle, “and I’m glad that my predicament is making your skin go bumpy. I think the bigger deal with Noah is all the attention it’d get him if people find out. I can handle the spotlight a lot better than he can.”
“Hmm, I see. But you know, that might not be avoidable, even after the event. There will be follow-up stories. Interviews. There’s no telling if other publications might catch wind and want to do their own thing on you or the other guys. Who knows? What if all of Texas wants in? It can blow up a lot bigger than you realize.”
My smile slowly fades. “You … You really think so?”
His phone buzzes. He pulls it out and gives it a look. “Sorry, I gotta take this. I’ll keep your secret, don’t worry.” He gives me an apologetic wince. “But you may want to warn Noah. You might be just a few weeks away—or less—from becoming a local celeb.”
I stare back at him, out of breath.
“It’s been great catching up,” says Malcolm with a warm smile, then points at his phone. I nod, understanding. He brings it to his ear and saunters off as he talks. “Is this the Queen? Queen Nadine? Oh yes, ma’am, you bet I just finished up with the boys here at the McPhersons’. I’m on my way to your place, and yes, I will take you up on that offer of tequila you haven’t made yet.”
Chapter 15
Noah
“Why didn’t you tell us you almost died, Noah Lawrence Reed?!”
I’ve never seen my mom’s face so red with rage. It’s suddenly possible her ears might emit fire, which would make her look like the gelatin dragonhead treats she made this past Halloween. For the record, they tasted a lot better than they looked.