Out of My League

Chapter 11 (Izzy)

If you would've told me one year ago that my first kiss would be with Noah Parker, I would've slapped you, laughed at how insane you were, and then fainted.

In that order.

And yet, I just did.

I just kissed Noah Parker.

Knees weak and wobbly, I manage to get out of his car without falling on my face.

I even make it to the front door without getting too excited.

However, the moment I'm safely in the hotel's lobby, surrounded by three, random strangers - one worker, one man wheeling a suitcase, and one lady trying to get a baby to fall asleep - I let out a small squeal and do a tiny dance in one place.

I can't contain my emotions anymore and anyway, I don't care what these strangers think of me.

I'll never see them again.

Both men at the front desk ignore me; they're so interested in their own lives they don't even notice me.

The lady with the baby looks at me curiously, but when she notices me noticing her, she just gives me a small smile and takes a seat on one of the cushioned chairs in the lobby.

I head towards the elevator, fingers still quivering and butterflies in my stomach still fluttering about wildly, up into my throat and back down.

I'm barely able to push Reagan and I's door open after sliding the key through its slot, but I manage.

I do not manage, however, to keep my face straight as I step into the door and meet my best friend's eyes.

"What?" She looks entertained at my obvious excitement, "You're smiling wide enough that you'd think he kissed you or something."

"He did!"

My voice is so high-pitched, I'm surprised she can understand me, but she must because she bounces immediately to her feet and rushes over to hug me.

"Ah, I cannot believe you kissed Noah!"

She'd shared a kiss with Connor at the beginning of the week, so I'm not the only one who'd kissed a celebrity.

Apparently, she'd forgotten that, though.

"Wait a minute," she holds me at arm's length, brown eyes wide, "You didn't just kiss a guy, Izzy. That was your first kiss."

"I know!"

"Did he?"

"Not until after," I smile at the dumbfounded look on his face that is now permanently engraved in my brain, "I told him."

"What'd he say?"

"I think he was surprised."

I had my doubt, at first, about waiting to tell him, about telling him at all.

After all, what if he thought I was a bad kisser and then I made him realize why?

Whether or not I told him before or after was unimportant for him, but meant absolutely everything to me and, looking back, I'm glad I told him when I did.

I think it made the moment even more special.

"Tell me everything," Reagan says, pulling me down onto her bed, "Start to finish."

I do tell her everything - everything except for what Noah had told me about his daughter, Vivi.

That isn't my secret to share, even with my best friend.

The day that Reagan finds out, I can promise that, unless Noah gives me permission, it won't be by my mouth.

When I finish telling her about our sort-of date, though, she seems happy enough, not like she needs more drama to make the night even better.