comfort {complete}

53

"I can't believe you just did that," Lois squeals, skipping after Noah and me as we stroll out of the store. "Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. This is why we're friends, babe."

I laugh and hook my arm through Noah's. My knuckles are throbbing, but I feel vindicated and numb to it all. Noah looks mildly concerned for my mental state but mostly happy.

I sit in the backseat with him once we get to the car, and Lois pouts but doesn't say anything. We cuddle the best we can with the barrier of our seatbelts, and his lips meet my temple as Lois turns on the radio. He asks me if I'm okay; I tell him I am, and I mean it.

"I'd love to kiss you, but I think Lois would puke," he informs me, gazing lovingly right into my eyes. I smile, and he sinks his teeth deliberately into his bottom lip. I kiss the corner of his mouth and he turns his head so his lips are right on mine.

I kiss him even though Lois is in the front seat, and he deepens it a few seconds later, slipping his hand into my hair and pulling me closer. I smile and grip his collar in my fists, tilting my head to reach him at a better angle.

"Um, do you think you could save that for somewhere that's not the backseat of my car?" Lois asks, wrinkling her nose at us in the mirror.

"No," Noah says, and kisses me again.