I stared at it, and suddenly the idea hit me. The perfect thing to get Noah out of his shell, the thing we’d talked about doing once before as his fingers traced my naked body.
Excited, I shut my laptop’s lid, and dialed his number.
Chapter Nineteen
“Are you sure you don’t need anything else?” my mom asked me. I stood in her office at UPenn, weighed down by a box full of equipment. I had called Noah a few days ago, and although I hadn’t heard from him, I sent him another message that morning explaining the project and asking him to meet me somewhere that day. I hoped he would respond, but I was ready to move forward anyway if he didn’t.
“I think this is more than enough,” I said.
It was probably overkill, actually, since my mom had gotten me some professional-grade equipment, but I couldn’t complain. I was lucky that I had someone with access to quality gear.
She laughed. “I went overboard, didn’t I?”
“No, not at all. This is perfect.”
There were wireless microphones, two digital cameras, and a huge assortment of other necessary components. I could barely carry it all, and I wasn’t looking forward to the trek back to Temple.
“So, are you going to tell me what this is all for?” she asked.
“No, not yet. But I promise I will.”
I didn’t know if Noah would really be interested, but I believed that if anything could reach him, the idea of that project could. I wouldn’t push him too hard, but I had to do something. Besides, it was a project that I wanted to do regardless of whether Noah decided he wanted to help me or not. In all honesty, that part was only because Ellie seemed to think I could help him, and I couldn’t ignore someone in trouble.
“How’s Dad?” I asked.
Mom sighed. “Your father is fine, honey. Has he called you recently?”
I shook my head.
“He will, don’t worry.”
“It’s okay, Mom. I know he’s busy.”
She shook her head. “Well, be careful with that stuff. It technically belongs to the film department here.”
“I will Mom, I promise.”
“Good luck, with whatever you’re doing.”
“Thanks. I appreciate this.”
I gave her another smile and left, lugging the box.
I really should have asked to borrow Selena’s car.
I climbed up my stoop, drenched in sweat. I was exhausted, and my arms were shaking, but I was so close to being finished. I unlocked the door and looked back down at the box, groaning. Part of me wanted to leave it there and forget about the whole thing but I had come so far. My black T-shirt was sweaty under my wool cardigan and I felt disgusting. I was probably a truly horrendous sight. Slowly, I crouched down, preparing myself for the final leg of my hellish trip.
Before I could lift it up, a voice brought me up short.
“Need some help, dots?”
I slowly stood up and stared at him. He looked different, more tired. There were bags under his eyes, and his hair was messier and a bit longer than I remembered. He was wearing a leather jacket over a tight V-neck shirt that showed off the top of his tattoo and slim fitted jeans. It struck me all over again how gorgeous he was, and my heart plummeted into my stomach.
It was a bad idea to contact him. I knew it the second he spoke. I knew it the moment my body responded to the mere sight of him, and the image of his lips against my neck, his fingers between my thighs, came flooding back into my mind. I wasn’t over Noah, I wasn’t nearly over him. And seeing him standing there in front of my apartment, his hands shoved in his pockets and that cocky half-grin on his face, brought a rush of memories and emotions through me.
“Hey, Noah,” I said, hesitating.
“What’s in the box?” he asked, stepping closer.
I was suddenly very aware of how gross I looked. I shook my head, trying to dispel the fear and the embarrassment and the anger.
“Gear for that project I mentioned.”
He climbed the stoop and lifted the lid of the box.
“This is some serious shit, dots.”
“I’m pretty surprised to see you.”
We were standing close together on the small stoop, and I could almost smell his body. I wanted to reach out and touch him, but I hesitated. I could help him, but I couldn’t let myself get hung up on him again, no matter what.
He smiled at me. “Well, I’m pretty surprised to be here. But you said you wanted to see me today, so I showed up.”
“How have you been?”
“Starting this already?” The tone of his voice wasn’t sharp, but he clearly didn’t want to talk about it.
“No, I mean, I’m just asking.”
His face softened. “I’m just teasing you, dots. I know Ellie talked to you.”