~I'm sorry I didn't hear from you over the holidays. I hope they were good. I really hope you're better. I'm here for you. You know that. Have a happy New Year.~Veronica read the text from Derek again. She knew what he was thinking. That she was wallowing in self-pity through the holidays alone and pathetic. He'd texted her so much in the past few weeks that if she didn't know any better, she'd think his guilty conscience was getting to him.She hadn't responded even once. Maybe she should, just to let him off the hook, let him know that while he thought her buried in grief and eating herself to death, she'd had not only the best Thanksgiving but the best Christmas that she could remember in years—if ever.After nearly giving into her desires on Christmas day and possibly ruining everything, she'd managed to turn it around, and they'd had the most perfect day, watching movies. They talked and laughed the whole day. Other than the times she and her mother had done the same thing, th
"Veronica, it's good to hear your voice." His voice was exactly as she remembered. It brought back painful memories, but in a weird way, she was glad to hear him again."It's good to hear you too.""So you're stranded for the day?""Yeah, looks like it.""I was gonna say, since your plans are shot, how do you feel about getting together for some coffee?"No way in hell was she inviting him over for coffee. "I, uh ... I dunno.""We don't have to be out the whole day, just an hour or so. We can grab a cup of coffee and check out the latest exhibition at that photo gallery you like downtown. When's the last time you did that?"Veronica smiled, running her finger over the grout between the tiles on her counter. "It's been forever.""That's what I figured. Let's go, Roni, for old time's sake. I can pick you up in ten minutes and have you back before noon."Hearing him call her that made her stomach lurch. She knew it was irrational to think that she shouldn't go because Noah might
NoahThis was the first time since Roni had started working out here that she hadn't made it in. Her text simply said she wouldn't make it in and she'd see him tonight. Anxiety crept into him as he shoved his things into his locker.Noah heard the guys walk noisily into to the locker room."It's not his place, Hector," Abel said."Yeah, it is. He's paying rent, right?"Noah looked up at them as he slipped his arm into his jacket. Hector and Abel walked side by side toward him. Gio was just behind them."Hey, Noah." Hector grinned. "What do you say we have a New Year's Eve party at your place?"Noah chuckled. "It's not my place.""I told you," Abel said, shaking his head."You pay rent, don't you?" Hector insisted."Yeah, for one bedroom."The idea wasn't half bad. Noah had a feeling Roni would, once again, be flying solo on New Year's Eve, at least he hoped she was, and once again, he had every intention of being there to keep her company. Hell, he couldn't think of anywhere
Just like that, Roni's troubles seemed to fade—women and their shopping. She grabbed a pair of oven mitts and opened the oven, pulling out two round bread rolls way too big to be dinner rolls. She glanced at him and laughed. His expression must've been as blank as it felt. Noah was trying to figure out what they were for."I'm gonna hollow them out and pour the soup in them.""Ah," he said, feeling a little stupid.He helped out by pouring the drinks. Everything they did together now felt so perfect. Noah couldn't even imagine ever leaving.She must've been as hungry as he was because they both sat, devouring the soup silently for a few minutes. Then he remembered. "So you have any plans for New Year's?"She shook her head, taking another spoonful of soup and raised an eyebrow when she saw him smirk."So here's the thing. You don't have to say 'yes' if you don't want to, okay?" She nodded. "How would you feel about a small gathering here at your place New Year's Eve?" She eyed hi
VeronicaCoward—no other word could describe what she was. There was no reason, none whatsoever, why Veronica couldn't have simply told Noah about her afternoon with Derek the other day, and she'd had several opportunities since then to tell him about it. But what had she done? Each time she came up with some other stupid lie or way of changing the subject.She watched the guys set up in the backyard from the kitchen window. One of their friends had a sound system they'd be using, and they were putting up speakers in her garage. As much as she tried to not feel out of place, she couldn't help thinking about the last time she'd been to a backyard party. She'd been about Noah's age.Veronica had tried calling Nellie earlier. Her hope was that either Nellie would convince her to just go with it and enjoy her evening with these young guys or confirm that she wasn't being silly for feeling like a chaperone rather than the host of this New Year's bash.Still in her robe and at a complete
NoahAs hard as Noah tried to push away the anxiety about tonight, he couldn't help but tense up the moment he saw Roni walk into the front room. Seeing her had nearly sucked the air out of him.Her makeup was a little heavier than the norm, her curls seemed even curlier, and what she wore was enough to have every guy there staring at her now, threat or no threat. Noah glanced at Hector who was the most blatant and nudged him. "Take this outside," Noah said roughly and shoved the two six-packs of beer he'd been holding at him.Gio and Abel were more discreet, but Noah hadn't missed the way they took Roni in from top to bottom. Noah stifled a growl."Is anyone else here yet?" Roni asked, stretching her neck out to look through the kitchen window as she passed by Noah, shocking his senses. Unbelievably, she smelled better than she looked. It was completely intoxicating, and Noah had to close his eyes for a moment in reaction."The sound guy and his crew are here," Abel said, "and I
VeronicaSeeing Noah blindsided and knocked unconscious was probably one of the most horrific images Veronica had ever witnessed. Everything that followed was a blur. All she could think of, even as Abel beat the guy who did it to a pulp and the rest of the guys brawled it out with his friends, was getting Noah in the house and out of harm's way.She knew enough from taking first aid and CPR classes at the college to turn him on his side so that he wouldn't choke on his own tongue. He'd come to fairly quickly, but he was totally out of it. She managed to get some of the guys that were there with the sound crew to help her lift him and walk him to his bed.Veronica didn't even realize how unnerved she was, until she tried running her fingers through his hair and her hand shook uncontrollably. The minutes that passed as Noah slipped in and out of consciousness were the worst. She kept wondering if she should call 911. But each time she was about to, he'd come to.The guys came in aft
NoahNoah actually heard Roni gulp and felt his own gut tighten. Fuck! Too soon! Maybe it was too soon, but there was no way he could hold it in anymore. He had to tell her."Noah," she placed her open palm against his chest, and for the first time since they'd begun kissing, he felt her pull away. "I think maybe you're confusing things."Now it was Noah who pulled away. "What?""I'm feeling things too," she said, sitting up slightly. "But we have to be realistic, and I don't want you confusing the feelings you have for me as your good friend for anything more. I'm sorry," she said, adding insult to injury as she began to move off the bed."Hold on." He reached out and held her arm, feeling the pounding in his head start up again. "First of all, don't be sorry about anything, and whatever you do, do not take back what just happened here between us.""I'm not taking it back. I'm just saying maybe you're confusing this—""I'm not confusing a damn thing." Noah straightened out too