Like magic. Something about Noah put me under a deep spell, and it was growing harder and harder to shake it off. To remind myself that I was sitting next to a friend— a friend that was quickly proving to be one of the best I’d ever had.

So there was no need to mess things up with thoughts of lips and jawlines. No matter how tempting they might have been, how badly I wanted to run my tongue along them, tracing them with a finger while I used another to explore him…

Noah pulled off the highway and drove a few more minutes before reaching my mother’s neighborhood. She lived in an older community that lacked landscaping and maintenance but was only a couple of blocks away from the hospital, which made things easier for her. I wanted to try and save up to get her into another place but was beginning to wonder if moving her to a brand-new area would only make things worse.

“This the one?” Noah asked, slowing to a stop in front of a quaint one-floor home. Its awnings were in need of a pressure wash, and some of the white trim needed a touch-up, but other than that, it was the nicest one on the block.

“This is it,” I said, unbuckling and taking a breath. “Thank you. Seriously.”

“And seriously, no problem. I’d do this anytime you need.”

“See you tomorrow?”

Noah cocked his head. “Huh? No, I’m waiting here for you. How else are you going to get home?”

“That’s fine. I can—”

“Nope.” He crossed his arms. “I’ll wait.”

I arched a brow, sensing that I was running directly into a brick wall with this conversation. And I kind of liked it.

That’s when I relented but also when I got another idea. “Instead of staying out here, then, why don’t you come in?”

Noah—perma-smile still on his face—answered with a nod and turned off his car, as if he had been waiting this entire time for me to ask him. “I’d love to,” he said, making my heart flutter for no reason other than because he was Noah Barnes, and the promise of his presence alone was enough to make me happy.

It’s a superpower. He’s a damn superhero.

11. Noah Barnes

11

NOAH BARNES