Second Dive (Kings of the Water #3) - Jasmin Miller Page 0,72

quickly avoided eye contact when Noah’s nephew exposed us. Hunter I know from the hospital, even though he hasn’t been able to help as much after the first week due to some unexpected commitments with one of his sponsors.

Noah said his sister will be there with her boys too. Let’s hope they won’t blurt out anything else about us. I met Daisy a few times when we were dating, but since she’s four years older, she was already at college when Noah and I met.

It helps to have this info about them, to at least feel slightly prepared and calm my nerves.

Noah parks on the side of the road behind a black truck and comes over to my side to help me out of the car, even though I’m fully capable of doing so, of course. Instead of stepping aside so we can head up the walkway, he crowds me and pushes me against the car.

His head dips as he stares into my eyes. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Just a bit nervous.”

He nods. He knows this.

I’ve always been this way. Wanting to be social, loving the idea of being around people, but then easily getting overwhelmed when I’m in the midst of it all. Mostly, I’m actually enjoying myself and have a blast, but then I feel exhausted afterward.

Sometimes, that makes me feel like a lunatic. Like my brain can’t decide if it wants to be an introvert or extrovert. An introverted extrovert. Yikes.

Noah leans closer until his warm lips touch mine and he begins to suck on my lower lip. The hint of mint chocolate he ate on the drive over is still fresh, buzzing on my tongue when I touch his.

Way too soon he pulls back, resting his forehead on mine.

“What was that for?” I’m thankful for the car behind me. My legs are wobbly from that searing kiss.

“I could hear you thinking from all the way over here.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I just don’t like it when you’re so in knots over stuff.” His lips press against my forehead in a featherlight kiss before he takes a step back.

I frown at him, liking him in my space. Wanting him back in my space.

Maybe I can talk him into staying out here? Yeah, because that wouldn’t be awkward at all if someone saw us.

He chuckles at my expression. “Don’t look at me like that. But this is a kids’ party. Probably one of the worst moments to have a hard-on.”

I flinch. “Okay, I’m good. Sorry. Let’s do this.”

It’s not that being around kids is anything new. I mean, I illustrate children’s books. Have been to lots of signings over the years and participated in reading programs at local charities and libraries. I should be okay, then, right?

I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? That Noah’s friends don’t like me?

Noah grabs Izzy’s birthday present from the trunk—a super cool wooden stool with her name as a puzzle-piece of sorts in the middle—and we make our way up to the front door that’s decorated with tiny felt donuts stickers.

The door opens before we can knock and a handsome guy greets us.

“Hey, Noah.”

“Hey, Zane. How’s it going?” They give each other one of those shoulder-thumping half hugs that for some reason always make me want to snort.

“Good, you? I heard you’re retiring?

Noah lifts a shoulder. “Yeah, maybe. Not sure yet.”

Zane nods as if he completely understands before his eyes travel over to me, and his smile gets wider. He’s clearly way younger than us, but he’s adorable with his light-brown hair and brown eyes.

Noah puts his arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “Zane, this is Chloe. Chloe, this is Zane, Ryan’s little brother. He studies at Hawkins University.”

“Oh, hi. It’s so nice to meet you.” I shake hands with him, seeing the similarities between him and his much older brother. Noah showed me some pictures on his phone when he told me about his friends. He took this bringing-me-up-to-date project seriously.

“You too.” He gives me one more smile before looking at Noah and wagging his eyebrows a couple times.

Noah shakes his head and laughs before elbowing Zane in the ribs when we walk inside.

Zane leads us through the house and out the patio door, and I stop.

“Wow.” I’m not even sure where to look first.

The pastel tassels and balloons everywhere, the “donut bar” where donuts hang on wooden hooks, the impressive pink cake that’s surrounded by miniature donuts and covered in sprinkles.

“Harper really pulled through, huh?” Noah looks at Zane, and