Why did I feel like I had to see her?
When I went for a jog later, I wondered what I wanted in my life. I’d thought it was work and Sebastian, but now I felt confused and lost. Why couldn’t I stop myself from thinking about Nora? From wondering what she was doing and who she was seeing?
Later that day, even though I swore I wasn’t going to, I found myself parked outside a fucking high school, leaning against my newly painted Escalade, waiting for a girl. Yeah, that scenario hadn’t happened in over eight years.
And, just after noon, just like Sebastian had said, she came out through the stone arches of the main building. My hands got sweaty. She looked like a ray of sunshine with her boots, yellow skinny jeans and white shirt. She stared at the ground as she walked, like she was deep in thought, and I waited for the moment when she saw me.
She finally looked up and glanced around, and I walked closer, needing her attention. When our eyes met, lust roared through me like a hurricane. All it took was one flash of her green eyes, and I pictured us in my car, her straddling me, her eyes looking at me like she had that night at the movies, like she needed me. Allowing myself to dream a little, I kept remembering the day our eyes had connected in the parking lot. The single most incredible moment I’d had with a girl. And it hadn’t involved sex. Just our gazes, holding, anchoring each other.
She halted, and I saw indecision on her face and then sorrow. But, in just a few seconds the vulnerable look was gone and a tougher Nora eyed me. One with a tight face and a wall around her. This was the girl I’d created when I let Tiffani in my bed.
A well-dressed tall guy came running out the school doors. “Nora!” he called out, jogging over to her side. He smiled crookedly and handed her a textbook. “You left that in class,” he said, standing too close to her.
I watched her eyes move from me to him; I saw her body pivot toward his. I felt my heart crash and burn.
Lanky guy flicked his eyes at me. “You okay out here? Need me to walk you to your car?”
“No, I’m fine.” She shrugged. “He’s Sebastian’s brother.”
He nodded and lowered his voice. “Hey,” he said hesitantly. “Can I call you later? I . . . I have a question for you.”
“Having trouble in Cal already?” she said with a smile, arching her brows. Even though I had no right to her, her smile for him pissed me off. She should only tease with me. Which was ridiculous.
He blushed. “No, something else.”
She hesitated, cutting her eyes at me. Hell yeah, I was listening. I was angry and maybe even hurt at the way she seemed to gravitate toward this guy.
“Uh, okay. You still got my number?” she asked him.
He smirked cockily. “Had it for years, sweetheart. I’ve got it memorized.” He patted where his heart was.
Now, she blushed. Was she fucking him?
“Alright then, call me later,” she said, waving at him as he jogged backwards to the school, smiling at her the entire time.
She turned back around and started walking toward her car, avoiding my eyes.
“Who was that?” I asked, not caring about the tightness in my voice.
She kept walking.
I swallowed. “Nora, I’m talking to you.”
She stopped and glared at me. “Seriously? Fuck you, Leo. Who I talk to is none of your business.”
I looked away, deserving every bit of that. “I got my car back this morning,” I said, patting the hood.
She sighed, her eyes running over the Escalade. “I’m sorry for all the trouble it must have caused you.” Then she nodded, like she was done talking and walked over to her driver’s side door.
“Wait, don’t go. I’ve got something for you,” I said, running back to my vehicle, opening the door, and grabbing what I’d brought for her off the seat. I felt compelled to give it to her.
“Why?” she snapped once I’d turned back to face her.
I huffed. “I don’t know, okay. I just wanted to see you for a minute and give you this,” I said, gesturing at the book in my hand.
I walked toward her. “Sebastian said you’re staying with your aunt. Do you need anything? You know we have an extra room if you want to stay with us.”
I meant those words. I wanted to protect her. Sebastian hadn’t said why she’d left home, but I sensed it had something to do with why she’d made that list.
“I’m fine. I don’t think I’ll need your extra bedroom again,” she said curtly, still poised to get in her car.
I stood next to her and stuck the book out. She stared at it but didn’t take it.
She looked back up at me. “What’s that?”
“It’s a book, Nora. For you,” I said, hating the gulf between us. “Please. Take it. I thought about you when I saw it.” That was a lie. I’d searched for three hours for the damn thing, so she could have it.