the only one I’d opened up to about the pressure I felt, about the wedding, in general.
And now, it was like he was the only one in the world who truly saw me.
I tore my eyes away.
After the service, Mama insisted that I stand with her near the door to shake hands with everyone as they passed. It felt like we were practicing for the receiving line at my wedding, and all I could think about was how badly my feet hurt, and how much I couldn’t wait to get away from that church.
I was in a daze, smiling and repeating the same sentiment with each hand I shook, until Noah Becker stepped into view.
I paused, my smile slipping into a frown as I met his hand with mine. “Have a blessed day,” I said flatly, ignoring the warmth I felt from his calloused hand.
He chuckled, cocking one brow. “That sounded more like a curse than a blessing.”
“Take whatever you want from it,” I said, pulling my hand away to shake his mother’s and the rest of his brothers’.
He still stood there, waiting.
They were the last ones out of the church, and though Mama was caught up talking to the pastor, I excused myself, making my way to our car. Daddy had already left, saying he had business to attend to, and I was more than ready to join him in that escape.
“Hey,” Noah said, jogging to catch up to me even though I’d made it clear I had nothing more to say to him.
“Mm?” I asked nonchalantly, not stopping. In fact, I took my phone out of my pocket, instead, proving my disinterest as I typed out a reply text to one I’d missed from Anthony.
“Giving me the cold shoulder now?”
“You’re lucky that’s all I’m giving you,” I mouthed back, still looking at my phone.
His rough hand caught the crook of my elbow, pulling me to a stop when I was just a few feet from Mama’s car.
“I deserve that,” he said as I finally lifted my eyes to his. They were strikingly blue against the dark hue of his shirt, the clear sky behind him highlighting them even more. “And I wanted to apologize.”
“Wanted to? Or are you actually going to?”
He smirked. “I’m going to. I am, if you’ll let me speak.”
I narrowed my eyes, tucking my phone in my purse and crossing my arms before leaning on one hip to wait.
Noah bit his lip against a bigger smile, glancing at our shoes before he met my gaze again. “I’m sorry for nearly knocking you over, and for taking out my anger on you. I shouldn’t have said those things I said.”
“You’re damn straight, you shouldn’t have.”
“I know. It was uncalled for. I also know it doesn’t make up for anything, to feed you an excuse, but…” He sniffed, glancing around us as if to make sure no one was close enough to hear before he spoke again. “It was the anniversary of my dad’s death, and that’s always a really tough day for me. Even nine years later.”
My cocky glare slipped from my face, heart aching in my chest as Noah softened like butter in the warm summer sun.
There he is again, I thought. There’s the man from last Friday night.
“Anyway, I want to make it up to you,” he said, grabbing the back of his neck with one hand. “Just tell me how.”
I chewed my lip, watching him as if I was looking for anything other than sincerity in his steel gaze. When I found nothing, I smirked, standing straight as I uncrossed my arms. “Fine. You can make it up to me by meeting me somewhere in a couple hours. Bring your swim trunks.”
He cocked a brow. “Swim trunks? Where exactly am I meeting you?”
I smiled wider. “I’ll text you the address. Be there at two, sharp.”
Noah checked his watch, nodding with an amused smile before he tucked his hands into his pockets. “Alright, then.”
“Alright,” I repeated.
We watched each other for a long moment, until someone clearing their throat brought our attention to my left.
“Ruby Grace,” Mama said, smiling at Noah before she eyed me cautiously. “Why don’t you hop in, now. We better get going.”
“Yes, Mama,” I said before turning back to Noah. “See you around.”
“See you,” he said, catching on to the fact that I didn’t say see you in a couple of hours.
Some things Mama didn’t need to know.
She smiled politely at Noah, wishing him a blessed day, but her smile faded