No Right Thing by Laura Langston

Author:Laura Langston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crwth Press
Published: 2020-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The sun warms my face as Dad and I walk to city hall on Saturday morning. The birds are chirping in the trees; a bee buzzes in the pink flowers blooming near the fountain. It’s a peaceful morning.

But my stomach is cramped with nerves.

“You’ll do fine, Cate. The mayor gives out these awards every month. Just let him put the medal around your neck and smile for the cameras.” Dad opens the door and we walk into city hall.

Smile for the cameras. Yuck.

“You should feel proud of yourself, sweetheart. You and Noah did a good thing. Relax and enjoy the attention.” He gives my hand a squeeze. “I’ll wait here for Parker. You go ahead.”

My footsteps echo as I walk to the antechamber where Noah and I agreed to meet. When I reach the doorway my heart skips a beat. The place is packed. People are clustered near the coffee urn and dozens more are walking around, but I don’t see Noah. I’m about to text him when a familiar voice murmurs in my ear, “There you are.”

I jump. “Don’t scare me li—” And then I see him and I cannot speak.

Imagine the most beautiful cake ever. The Mercedes of all cakes. A cake that is glossy and sleek and stunningly perfect. Put it under a golden spotlight. On a pedestal. And be prepared to drool.

That is Noah Fox all cleaned up.

“What?” Self-consciously he brushes the front of his shirt. “Do I have crumbs again?”

He’s wearing a cream shirt open at the neck, a pair of fitted black pants and some kind of spicy cologne. I am a weakling for good smells.

Swallowing my discomfort I brush an imaginary crumb from his shoulder and say, “Yeah. What did you do? Have a second breakfast or something?”

He grins, flashing that tiny dimple at the corner of his mouth. Slay me why don’t you? “No, just a couple of mini pastries.” His green eyes sweep over me. “You look great.”

Not as great as you. “Thanks.” I’m wearing a dressy denim skirt with a sleeveless wrap top and my favourite angora sweater. The sweater is probably overkill. The city hasn’t turned on the air conditioning yet and it’s warm.

“They’re waiting for us in the mayor’s office.”

A surge of adrenalin rushes through me. “Let’s go.”

Noah puts his hand on my back and escorts me through the antechamber to the mayor’s office. We meet the four other award recipients and the mayor, who tells us what we can expect over the next thirty minutes. I almost relax.

Until he leads us out of his office for the actual ceremony.

There’s a hush when we walk into the council chamber, which is dominated by an imposing curved dais flanked by flags. The mayor leads us past rows and rows of chairs. Chairs filled with people who are staring at us. Sweat beads on my forehead as I follow Noah to our seats on the dais. I should have left my sweater in the car. Between the lights, the bodies and the lack of air conditioning, I’m way too hot.

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