Noah notices me at the same moment I notice him, which results in the two of us standing a few feet apart, staring at one another in silence. The tension in the air is so thick, I feel as if I can't breathe, which only adds to the sudden nerves I'm feeling.I somehow manage to compose myself, shaking out of my surprise and forcing a smile that I hope appears genuine enough.
"Hey," I greet Noah, glad my voice sounds clear and doesn't give away my inner turmoil. "What are you doing here?"
"I just thought I'd stop by," Noah says casually. His gaze drifts from me, to Thorne, to Mia, then back to me again. "What about you?"
"Same as you." A small laugh escapes me, my smile coming a little easier. An awkward silence begins to fill the room, and I have no idea what to say to break it.
Noah runs a hand through his hair before nervously shoving his hands into his pockets, clearing his as his gaze finds mine. "I can, uh, come back another time if you want," he murmurs. "I understand if you want—"
"No!" I interrupt, sounding much too eager. I blush as I feel everyone's eyes falling on me, rushing to add, "I mean, you don't have to go. Stay. I'd, um, like for you to stay."
Noah and I share another long glance, surrounded by the silence of our friends waiting to see where this conversation is going to go. Under the heat of Noah's dark blue gaze, I can feel my cheeks begin to flush. Looking into his eyes brings back memories that haven't surfaced in ages. Back in the day, Noah's eyes on me made me feel worthy and needed and beautiful. As he stares at me now . . . well, it's not hard to feel that way once again.
"Okay," Noah mumbles, his voice husky as our gazes remained locked. He nods and clears his throat, averting his blue eyes from mine. "Sure. I guess it won't hurt anything, right?"
"Great!" Mia exclaims. She looks happy in this moment. I know that she's secretly wanted me and Noah to be able to get alone, for her sake as much as our own.
Mia steps forward and wraps her arms around Noah's broad frame, pulling him into a hug. Noah returns the gesture, and Thorne proceeds to pat Noah's shoulder in greeting.
For a moment, things feel just like old times. I have to admit that it's nice, living in the moment with my friends, including Noah. As the thought runs through my mind, I vow to myself to finally let everything Noah and I went through in the past go. Sure, we made some great memories. And we might not have ended on the best note, but that doesn't mean I can't put forth an effort to move past what happened and try my best to create a friendship with Noah.
Right?
____
a/n: i get excited when noah and blake have the smallest interactions because i miss writing about them together so much
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Lost and Found
ChickLitThree years after his mother's death, Noah Reed is lost once again. Unsure of where to go after running from his problems for so long, he ends up back home, wanting a place to finally settle down. He's ready to tie up loose ends and to try and corre...