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Slowly nodding her head, Alex whispered back, “I did.”

“Then Will gagged, because he looked at the guy who was . . . oh God . . . it’s hitting me again.”Advertisement

Grace and I both leaned away from Alex.

Alex jumped up and ran into the half bath down the hall as Grace and I watched her and then turned back to Will. He was lifting his beer to his lips as he took a long drink and smiled.

“Long story short, she threw up all over the buffet. Twice.”

“Gross,” Grace and I said.

Letting out a chuckle, Will said, “That’s not the worst of it.”

Shaking her head, Grace asked, “How could it be any worse?”

“Other people throwing up.”

Grace quickly jumped up. “Okay well, we’ve had enough of that story. Noah and I are going for a drive.”

“We are?” I asked as Grace turned and glared at me. “Yes, Noah. We are.”

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Will let out a laugh and shook his head. “No need to leave on our account. I’m going to get my beautiful, sweet pregnant wife to bed so she can rest up.”

Reaching my hand out for Will’s, I gave it a firm shake. “It’s great seeing you again, Will.”

Glancing at Grace and then back at me, Will smiled. “You too, Noah. Hope to see you around more often.”

I gave Will a quick smile. “That’s my goal.” Taking a quick peek at Grace, I saw it on her face as well. I’d be spending a lot more time with Grace and her friends. When Grace and I started dating, I knew she was keeping our relationship on the down low with her friends. I didn’t mind because I knew she had her reasons at the time. The closer we got, the more I started coming around, until Grace got spooked.

We were finally together again, but we weren’t. Pushing it all from my mind, I wanted to enjoy tonight with her. I’d worry about our living arrangements later.

“So, midnight drive, my lady?” I asked as Grace gave me a naughty look.

Giving me a wink, she said, “That sounds amazing.”

Grace

After changing into a skirt, we walked out to Noah’s car. I couldn’t shake the ill feeling I had. So far this day had been like a dream come true. A dream I knew wasn’t going to last much longer.

Slipping into the front passenger seat, I worried on my lip. I didn’t want to think about Noah leaving me and heading back to Austin to help his mother die . . . alone.

Noah backed out of the driveway and began driving. I could tell his mind was weighing heavy also. If I had learned anything this last year at all, it was talking was the number one thing Noah and I had to do.

“Noah, we need to talk about our situation.”

Looking over at me quickly, Noah frowned. “What situation?”

“You in Austin. Me here. I only have three months left of school, but I feel like they are going to be the longest three months of my life and I don’t know if . . . well . . . if—”

“My mother will pass away before then?”

Turning to look out the front window, I whispered, “Yes.” Taking in a deep cleansing breath, I waited to get my emotions in check. The one thing Grams said to us girls that always stuck in my head was her advice on letting your emotions take over.

Take a deep breath. Count to five, then speak from your heart. Your heart never leads you astray.

Slowly blowing out the air, I closed my eyes before opening them and looking at Noah. “I don’t want to be away from you. I know that much. After seeing one of my best friends almost die and what Colt went through . . . I know how precious life is. I don’t want to waste another minute away from you.”

Noah quickly pulled into the parking lot of Target. Putting his car in park, he dropped his head back against the headrest. Shaking his head, he opened the car door and quickly got out.

Following his lead, I walked over to him. “Talk to me, Noah.”

Turning to face me, his eyes were filled with tears. “I won’t let you give up what you’ve worked so hard for, Grace. It’s only three months, baby. You’ll graduate and then we can take it from there. You’re not quitting school when you’re this close.”

Walking into his arms, I felt my tears slowly fall from my eyes. “I’m not quitting school, Noah. But I don’t want you to leave, and I know that is so selfish of me.”

Holding me close to his body, Noah kissed the top of my head. “Believe me, I don’t want to leave, but we will make this work. I promise, baby.”

Pulling my head back, I smiled and said, “I’m holding you to that promise.” pqdm.com