He was tall, really tall, and had thick brown hair that was swept back from his gorgeous face. He was wearing a blue, white, and gold varsity jacket over a white t-shirt, and his smile was full of the kind of confidence one had when everything in their life was perfect. And, I was ashamed to admit, the second he flashed it my way, my heart thumped a little faster.
“Cameras?”
“Yeah.” He chuckled and pointed at the front steps that led up to the doors. “Up in the corner. See?”
I looked in the direction he was pointing, and when he moved in closer, I almost forgot to breathe.
“If you’re gonna make a break for it, you should tell your mom to drop you off around the corner there. That way they won’t see you.”
I opened my mouth, about to deny my escape plan, but instead heard myself ask, “How’d you know I planned to skip?”
He grinned down at me, and I swore his eyes were smiling too. “I recognized the look. That one that says you’re about to bolt. I totally get it—most days I’m dreaming up escape plans too.”
I seriously doubted that. The guy was wearing a jacket that all but broadcast his popularity for everyone to see.
“You don’t believe me.”
“Huh?”
“You rolled your eyes. You don’t believe me.”
I shrugged and tightened my fingers around the strap of my backpack. “It’s just you don’t seem like the type who’d hate school. That’s all.”
He slowly nodded as he began to head toward the building, then he turned around and called out, “Maybe I won’t now that I’ve found a partner in crime. See you in there, Bonnie.”
Bonnie? What? Oh, Bonnie and Clyde.
When he grinned and turned to run up the front steps, I couldn’t help but think that maybe today wouldn’t be so bad after all…
GOD. IT’D BEEN years since I’d thought about that day. But after hearing him call me Bonnie tonight, it was no surprise that the memory had found its way back to me.
I shook it off and placed the jacket back in the closet where it had hung for all this time, then I slowly closed the doors and headed to the bathroom. I wasn’t going to do this. I wasn’t going to lie here in my bathtub and let a boy—a man—whom I hadn’t seen or heard from in forever consume my every thought.
But as I climbed into the hot, fragrant water, I knew that was a lie. Because the second I shut my eyes, all I could see was the way that Noah had looked me over today, and all I wanted to know was if he’d liked what he saw.
7
Noah
THE OLD HARDWOOD floors of the courthouse creaked under my feet as I paced back and forth outside one of the conference rooms. It was Monday morning, and per my mom’s instructions, I was ready and waiting to hear whatever final surprises Harry had in store for us.
Today was the reading of the will, and ever since she’d called last night to tell me we all had to be present or it could not proceed, I’d had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Harry never did anything in half measures. He also never did anything to benefit anyone except himself. So the idea that he’d sat down and penned some elaborate final demands to be read in the presence of all his children made me think he still had some kind of end game to play.
I shoved my hands in my pockets to keep from running them through my hair as I continued to wear a hole in the floor. I should’ve known this visit wouldn’t be a simple check-in on Mom. Of course not. This had been the real reason. I was needed for this next step in Harry’s little shitshow—whatever that might be.
The echo of the front doors opening bounced around the cavernous lobby of the courthouse, alerting me to someone’s arrival, and when I spotted Justin heading my way, I began to think God had a sense of humor.
I readied myself for what would no doubt be an awkward greeting, as Justin came to a stop opposite me and glanced past my shoulder.
“Where is everyone?”
With his rumpled clothes and bloodshot eyes, there was no doubt in my mind that he’d finished whatever bottle he’d tracked down yesterday. I was actually surprised he’d showed up this morning, and on time too.
“They’re not here yet,” I said as I looked over his scuffed-up boots, ripped jeans, and t-shirt. He had a silver chain linked to his belt loop that fed into one of his pockets, and now that he no longer wore his leather jacket, I could see an elaborate ink design up his left bicep.
“Great. Mom said nine, right?”
“That’s what I was told.”
Justin walked by me, our shoulders bumping up against one another, and the message was clear: stay out of my way.
“I’m sure they’ll be here soon enough.”
“Whatever.” He headed to the long wooden bench seat on one side of the room, then sat down, crossed his arms, and kicked his legs out in front of him. “Not like I’ve got Italy to get back to.”
Right. He wasn’t pissed or anything, was he?
“Look.” I stood in front of him. “I want to be here about as much as you want me here, okay?”
Justin shrugged. “I don’t care if you’re here or not.”
“Yeah, that’s obvious.”
“Good. What you do makes no difference to me one way or another. I wanna get this over with and get back to my life.”
I was about to tell him he’d get no arguments from me when the doors of the courthouse opened again and Brianna, Ryan, and Mom stepped inside.
Thank God, now we could finally get this thing started.
“Noah, Justin, sorry we’re running late.” Mom gave a quick wave before rushing by us toward the door at the very
