All Chapters of Daddies Taste Better : Chapter 411 - Chapter 420

That actually made me go quiet.I wanted the answer to be yes. It would have been easier if it was. If Noah really didn’t see me that way, then everything he said this morning could stay exactly what it sounded like. But I couldn't force the word out.“I don’t know,” was all I could manage.Riley’s mouth curved into a grin. “Guess we’ll have to figure that out.”“Riley, don’t—” I opened my mouth to stop her, reaching out to grab her arm but she was already turning her head.“Damian!” she called out, her voice easily cutting over the sea breeze. “Can you come help Saraphina? She doesn’t know how to swim!”Damian looked over from where he was standing near the edge of the surf.“Sure,” he said, already starting toward us.I leaned in so fast my shoulder bumped Riley’s.“What the hell are you doing?” I whisper-yelled. “I can swim!”Riley didn’t look the least bit guilty. She just kept her eyes fixed ahead, whispering out the side of her mouth, “Then you’d better start pretending.”Damian

I stayed like that until the pounding in my chest slowed enough that I trusted my legs again. Then I stood, pulled his shirt over my head, and shoved my arms through the sleeves. It swallowed me whole, the hem reaching halfway down my thighs, still carrying his distinct scent that instantly made my face flush hot. I pressed the back of my chilled hands against my burning cheeks, a futile and silly attempt to cool down the sudden rush of blood on my face.It didn’t help at all.Exhaling softly, I smoothed down the front of the cotton, and pushed past the privacy curtain.Riley was already waiting just outside the changing area, arms crossed like she’d been there the whole time and the second she saw me, her eyes dropped to the shirt, then back to my face.I immediately looked down at the scuffed floorboards, my heart doing a ridiculous flutter. I wasn't even entirely sure what I was so embarrassed about, only that being seen wearing his shirt felt like revealing a massive secret.Riley

I couldn’t hold on to any of it. “…how many did she—” “I didn’t think she’d—” “—get her in the—” The words slid off me as I tried to stand on my own, but my knees didn’t agree, and heat rushed up my neck as the light continued to burn too bright. Then it wasn’t, because someone had stepped in front of it. Before I could figure out who it was, arms swept under my legs and across my back, lifting me off the floor like I don’t weigh a thing. I made some embarrassed, half-baked sound of protest, but I didn't have the strength to fight it and before i knew it, my forehead dropped against whoever’s shoulder it was. The world kept bouncing with each step and all I caught was the distinct smell of vomit and salt and then nothing. Sleep took me like a door slamming shut. I woke up once, somewhere in the middle of the night, inside a moving car. The vinyl seat was blessed and ice-cold against my burning cheek, and the low, muffled rumble of the engine vibrated through my ribs. Someone

“You’re not?”“No,” he muttered, pulling the cigarette back to his lips.I took a small breath, deciding to push just a little further. “What about Mr. James, then?”Noah’s forehead creased into a frown. “What?”The sudden shift in his tone sent a wave of nerves through me, making my stomach twist. I rushed to fill the silence before he could misinterpret. “He—he was just worried about my safety, that’s all. That’s why he said what he said yesterday. And honestly, regardless of whatever you two decide, you don't have to worry about me. I’m not going to go around blabbing to anybody.”Noah didn't say a word and stood there in silence, taking a long pull from his cigarette while letting me stew in my own awkwardness.“I don’t know what kind of drama you think is going on,” he finally said, his voice level as he tapped the ash off his cigarette, “but James and I are fine. He just had some shit to deal with tonight. That’s the only reason he’s not at the table.”“Oh... okay.”I stayed qui

“Bet the only fucking reason you’re not complaining is ’cause your last exam’s tomorrow,” Riley said as the car rolled through. “You’re basically free.”I laughed under my breath. She wasn’t wrong. The relief of being one exam away from the break sat in my chest like something I could almost relax into — if I ignored the part that came after. Once the last paper was done, there would be no more convenient excuses. My parents would expect me home. Or worse, they would come here. Either way, the careful distance I’d been managing would collapse.“Yeah,” I said. “Lucky me.”The car stopped in front of the house and I stepped out, bag over my shoulder, and then I saw him.Noah was working the soil near the east wall, his sleeves pushed high, smudges of dark soil streaked across his knuckles as he knelt by the flower beds. I stopped without meaning to, one foot still near the car, and watched him for a second longer than I should have.Mr. James clicked his door shut and began walking