I Fell In Love With A Stranger (Dylan O'Brien LS)

Chapter 3

-Jessica POV-

For the last three days, Dylan and I had been texting nonstop.

Good mornings. Late-night check-ins. Random thoughts that turned into long conversations. It felt easy—like something I hadn't realized I'd been missing until it was suddenly there.

Tuesday afternoon found me in my living room with Danielle and her three-year-old son, Noah. I sat back in the recliner while Danielle knelt on the floor, helping Noah slip his shoes on.

"So," she said casually, "how did the date go?"

I smiled before I could stop myself. "Fun. We sang, danced, played questions. There was a lot of laughing."

Danielle glanced up at me and smirked. "Look at you. You look like a five-year-old."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, whatever."

"Yeah, Auntie Jess," Noah chimed in proudly.

I laughed and moved to sit beside them on the floor.

"What are you talking about, Noah?"

"Five year old," he said, tugging at his shoes.

"Watch him for a second," Danielle said, standing and disappearing down the hallway.

I turned Noah toward me and stood him up on my lap.

He immediately burst into giggles.

"Oh, so you think Auntie Jess is a baby now?" I teased.

He laughed harder.

I tickled his sides, and he collapsed into my lap, squealing with laughter. I couldn't help smiling—really smiling.

A soft click made me look up.

"Did you just take a picture of us?" I asked.

"Yep," Danielle said. "And I'm sending it to you."

I nodded, then looked back at Noah. "Ready to go for a walk?"

"Yes!" he shouted, bouncing.

"Hey—don't get my clothes dirty," I warned.

"Sworry," he said, wrapping his arms around my neck.

Danielle smiled. "Aww."

"It's okay, baby," I said, setting him down. "Let's go."

Outside, the air was warm and calm. Danielle picked Noah up, balancing him on her hip as I held the door open.

"You got everything?" I asked.

"Yep."

We took the elevator down and walked toward the park, holding one of Noah's hands each.

"So," Danielle said casually, "when's your next date with Mr. Dylan O'Brien?"

I smiled. "Tomorrow."

"Ooo," she teased. "What are y'all doing?"

"Breakfast at IHOP."

She laughed. "Lord knows you love IHOP."

"I want IHOP," Noah said.

"IHOP or the park?" Danielle asked.

"Both!"

"No, Noah," she said firmly. "Pick one."

"Park!" he yelled, yanking his hands free and running toward the swings.

"He's too much," I said as we jogged after him.

"I know," she laughed.

She lifted him into the baby swing and started pushing gently.

"Faster, Mommy!" he squealed.

She pushed harder.

"WEEEEE!"

I laughed, watching them, warmth settling in my chest.

An hour later, Noah rubbed his stomach.

"Hungry, Mommy."

"Alright," Danielle said, lifting him from the swing.

"Let's go home."

"What do you want to eat?" I asked.

"Chicken nuggets."

"With fries?" I added.

"Yeah!" he grinned.

Back at the building, I held the elevator door as Mr. Sirks walked by.

"Hold the elevator!" I called.

He smiled and stepped aside. "No problem."

Inside the condo, Danielle settled Noah into his high chair while I leaned against the counter.

"Well," I said jokingly, "we want food."

She laughed. "Now I've got two babies to take care of."

"No, I'm baby," Noah announced, kicking his legs.

"Yes, you are," she said.

He clapped happily, and I laughed, shaking my head.

As I watched them, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Dylan: Still excited for tomorrow.

I smiled softly.

So was I.