Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
He pulls me back into his arms, scooching us down in bed as he pulls me into his chest, and as my fingers run over the beautiful pendant hanging from my neck, his lips press against my temple. “You’re my whole world, Zoey James,” he tells me. “I don’t know how I would ever survive without you.”
33
Zoey
March, April, and May passed in a blur, and I don’t know how it happened, but one second, we had months up our sleeve, and the next, Noah is close to graduation, and all we have left is the upcoming summer.
It’s been a long day and an even longer final period. My gaze drifts up to the clock above the whiteboard, watching the last few seconds of the school week countdown with heavy eyes. I’ve been so tired lately. I even slept right through my alarm this morning, and it has everything to do with the constant worrying about what this next year is going to bring, that and Noah calling me every night. It’s always a short call, intended just to say goodnight, and somehow, we end up talking for ages. Sometimes hours go by before I realize what time it is.
The second hand makes its way right to the top, and on cue, the bell sounds through the school. My classmates quickly pack their things and file out of the room, all of them buzzing with excitement over the weekend and a woods party tonight. I’m not surprised to find I’m one of the last ones through the door. I just don’t have the energy or the enthusiasm over the epic party everyone can’t stop talking about. It sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. How many horror films have started with a party in the woods? I’ll pass.
Making my way to my locker, I stop to get my things when a big body falls in beside me, his familiar scent hitting me first. Noah grabs me, pulls me away from my open locker, and presses me into the next one. As his body pins me there, his arms cage me in, and before I can even smile up at him, his lips are on mine.
He kisses me deeply before his lips trail down my neck. “You ready to get out of here?” he murmurs between kisses.
“Mm-hmm,” I groan.
His lips come back to mine, kissing me once more before allowing me a second to finish getting my things and closing my locker. Noah immediately takes my books out of my arms, holding them for me as he slings his other arm over my shoulder, pulling me right into his side.
As we head toward the student parking lot, we pass Tarni, who glances up at the last moment and glares. I look away, not letting her hate affect the rest of my afternoon. As Noah always reminds me, I’ve already spent too many hours broken over her, and she sure as hell doesn’t deserve any more of my time. Besides, it’s been at least eight months. It’s time for her to move on.
We get into Noah’s car, and as he’s reversing out of his spot, he glances at me. “What do you wanna do?” he questions. “Hungry?”
“Ummmm—”
“Park? Lake?” he says, throwing around options. “We could take Hazel to see that movie she keeps bugging you about.”
“Nah, I think she said something about having a sleepover at a friend’s place tonight, so I doubt we’ll see her all weekend,” I tell him before letting out a heavy sigh. “I’m kinda tired though. Some guy wouldn’t quit talking my ear off all night.”
“Some guy, huh? Do I have something to worry about?”
“Oh, yeah. This guy is . . .” I hold my hand up, mimicking a chef’s kiss. “Little rough around the edges, hot as sin, and definitely has a mean streak, but I have it on good authority that when he really kisses a girl, she crumbles in his arms.”
“Hmmm,” he says, a smirk playing on his delicious lips. “Sounds like a loser.”
“Massive loser,” I tease.
Noah rolls his eyes and glances across at me, his hand bypassing the gearshift and dropping to my thigh, giving a gentle squeeze just as he always does. “You wanna just chill at my place?”
“Yeah, unless you wanna eat,” I say. “I could sit at a table and pretend not to fall asleep while you scarf your food down like a pig.”
“I don’t scarf my food like a pig.”
“No, you’re right,” I say. “You just inhale it.”
Noah grins. He knows I’m right, but nonetheless, he takes the turn to head back toward his place. He hands me his phone to give me full control of the music, and before I know it, he’s pulling to a stop outside his home.
I go to grab my things and reach for my door when I glance back and realize he’s not making a move to leave. He hasn’t even cut the engine, and I settle back into my seat. “What’s wrong?” I ask, watching how his usual carefree expression becomes almost fearful.