One Little Kiss (The First Loves Book 4) by Maggie Dallen

Author:Maggie Dallen [Dallen, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

Noelle

It’s Saturday night and Elijah will be here any minute.

I started getting ready hours ago, so theoretically, I should be ready by now.

And yet, I’m still debating shoes.

I hold up two pairs in front of my phone, which is propped up on my dresser. “Red or black?”

Addie’s eyes widen in surprise. She’s lying on her bed, resting on her elbows, and she’s sporting her usual attire of a loose T-shirt and a full, floor-length skirt. “You’re asking me for fashion advice?”

I drop the shoes to level my friend with a look. “Celia and Mara are off having a romantic pre-dance dinner, and when I asked my mom’s advice on which lipstick I should wear, I was subjected to a lecture on how my legs are my best asset so I should show them off more.”

Addie sits up with a gasp. “Is it possible to show more leg without showing…you know…everything?”

I crack up because Addie is so adorably prudish sometimes. “Yes,” I say. “This is actually the more conservative of the two dresses I was debating for tonight.”

And that debate had waged for the better part of an hour, which is why I’m somehow running late despite prepping for this stupid dance all day long.

Her eyes widen as she shakes her head. “Well, you look amazing. I mean, you always look amazing, but that dark red with your hair and skin…” She sighs. “You look like a supermodel, Noelle.”

I smile, but it feels forced. Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the compliment. I’m weirdly nervous for tonight and there’s a reason I’m taking so much time and effort with my appearance.

Look good, feel good, right? My mom taught me that. I’m never more confident and calm than when I feel like I look the part I want to convey.

The problem is, when it comes to tonight…

I don’t know what part I’m playing. Or if I want to even play a part at all.

“Maybe I should call Elijah and tell him I’m bailing.”

The words kinda tumble out of my mouth and Addie gapes at me.

“What? Why? You can’t do that.”

“Why not?” It’s nerves talking, but I can’t stop them. My belly doesn’t just have butterflies buzzing about. It’s like a swarm of locusts in there.

And I hate it. I hate that I’m dreading seeing Elijah.

I hate even more than I can’t wait to see Elijah.

“I hate everything about this.” I’m pacing and poor Addie’s peering at the screen as she tries to keep up with me.

“What do you hate, Noelle?”

“I don’t want to feel this way.” I’m not making sense, but right now I can’t bring myself to care. Because I don’t want to spell this out. Not for Addie and not to myself.

“Are things still weird between you and Elijah?” she asks.

I nod. “And it’s all my fault.”

I’m still cursing myself for that stupid move I’d pulled in the parking lot. I’d treated Elijah like…like a guy. Like some random guy I could manipulate. I’d flirted and I’d seduced and, the worst part was, I’d gotten a thrill from it.

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