Exit through Tortuga Bay, page 11
Grace crossed her arms. “Actually, I haven’t been able to get Christmas lights up. The ladder terrifies me.”
“But you would if you could, right?” Noah said.
She loved Christmas. And she might have set up a tiny tree in her bedroom a few years ago and never put it away. She had told herself she was too busy, but in truth, she just loved seeing it every day.
Christmas brought back her favorite memories from her childhood. Her father used to make a big show of his Christmas light displays, competing with the neighbors to see who had the biggest, brightest house on the street.
It was her favorite time of year, but she refused to give Noah the satisfaction of being right.
“No,” she said.
Noah angled his head, appearing as though he was deciding if he wanted to press any further. He must have decided against it as he walked over to the counter and set the champagne bottle down. “Do you like champagne?” he said, unwrapping the foil.
“I—”
A knock at the connecting door had them both jolt, exchanging a look of terror.
“Grace?” Jane’s voice called from behind the door.
“Hide,” Grace whispered. “One second!” she called to the door.
Noah leaped over the bed, ducking down on the other side, but he was too tall. The top of his head peeked up like a Whack-a-Mole.
“I can see you. Go in the bathroom.”
Noah darted up and raced across the room, tripping on a shoe before tucking himself behind the wall. As soon as he was out of view, Grace opened the door.
Jane had put on a tight white dress and fire-red lipstick.
“Hey Jane, what’s up?”
Jane glanced at Grace’s pajamas, not bothering to hold back her laughter. “Cute pajamas.”
“Thanks,” Grace bit out.
“I was going to go to the bar, hoping I might run into that coffee delivery boy.”
Grace’s spine stiffened.
“I wanted to see if you wanted to come.” Jane trailed off, eyeing Grace up and down. “But I see you’ve already made plans.” Her eyes landed on the nearly opened champagne bottle. “Celebrating something?”
Grace glanced toward the bathroom to make sure Noah couldn’t be seen. “Yeah,” Grace’s voice cracked. “Just celebrating my first airplane ride with some champagne and a movie.”
“How precious,” Jane said, sticking her bottom lip out in that patronizing way of hers. “Well, enjoy. Don’t get too drunk. We have a big presentation tomorrow, and I need you to be clearheaded for all that technical crap our customers always ask about.”
“I’ll be fine. Have fun,” Grace said, closing the door. She rested her forehead on it for a moment, letting her heartbeat slow.
“Is it safe to come out now?” Noah whispered, his head poking out from behind the bathroom wall.
“Jane’s looking for you.”
“I heard.” Noah shuddered.
“You have to go.”
“Hell no. Come on, Grace. This is the perfect hiding place for me. She already knows my hotel room number. The concierge said it right in front of her. I can hide here with you, and she’ll never find me.”
“Noah! You’re not staying here tonight.”
“That’s not what I—” Noah cursed under his breath. “I just want to hang out for a little while. As friends. Please?”
Grace narrowed her eyes, cocking her head to the side. “I’m not sure we can be friends.”
“Sure we can.” Noah slipped off his shoes and climbed into bed.
Grace gasped. “What the heck are you doing? I haven’t agreed to this yet.”
“Yes, but you were going to.” Noah winked. “We’re watching a movie, right?” he said, tucking himself under the covers.
“I said I was watching a movie. You were on your way out.”
“Come on, Blue Eyes.” Noah patted the bedspread next to him. “I promise to behave. Scout’s honor.”
Grace let out an exasperated sigh. “You are incorrigible.” She bit down the smile that threatened to reach her face and lost. He looked so cute, cozied up in her bed. It was like all her Hallmark fairy godmother dreams had come true.
“Get in,” Noah said, smiling. “I want to see what this Prince of Christmas is all about.”
Grace slipped under the covers next to him, the heat under the sheets radiating up her legs. She was careful not to touch him for fear of bursting into flames.
They settled in bed together, watching the movie quietly a few moments before Noah leaned in to whisper, “This is really good.” His eyes widened as a herd of elves bombarded the screen, their faces painted like orange Oompa-Loompas.
“I speak fluent sarcasm, you know.” Grace nudged him with her elbow.
He nudged back, and the contact had her lady parts undulating with need.
The temptation of touching him was getting harder and harder to fight. Every nerve ending pointed to Noah, tempting her to scoot closer. To press herself against him.
They sat in silence for a while, at least pretending like they were watching the cupcake baker run into the prince for the first time. Grace couldn’t concentrate on anything but the intoxicating heat under the covers.
When she glanced up to see if he was paying attention to the movie, his stormy jade eyes were on her.
Liquid hot magma. She had become a pool of lava.
“You’re not paying attention,” Grace rasped.
“I’m not?” he said with a lazy smile, his eyes drifting to her lips.
“You’re not even looking at the TV.”
“Because I’ve got something better to look at.”
“Ugh! Noah. Your lines,” Grace said, making a gagging sound. “I thought we were just friends.”
“I don’t want to be just friends,” he muttered out of the corner of his mouth.
“But you said—”
“Forget what I said,” Noah said softly. “Unless it’s what you want.”
Grace chewed on her lip. She didn’t know what she wanted anymore. Before Noah, she had thought she wanted a relationship with someone like Todd. But now… she was confused. And turned on by the cocky stranger in her bed.
If she gave in to this newfound desire, it’d be short-lived. A fling. Something Tessa would encourage her to do but wouldn’t solve her need to find her own Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks-style happily-ever-after.
“I don’t know what I want,” Grace said. “But we’re not going to be more than friends if you keep feeding me cheesy lines.”
“Those don’t work for you?” Noah said playfully. “Would you rather I act like the prince in this movie? All proper and stuffy?”
“Something tells me you couldn’t if you tried.”
“Sure I could.”
Grace jerked her head. “A prince would never climb in bed with a woman without asking.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s historically false.”
Grace giggled. “I mean in the movies.”
“So, you do want a prince from a movie.”
“Not exactly. I don’t need to be showered with gifts or taken on magical carpet rides. I just want a normal relationship.”
“With Todd?” Noah said, arching a brow.
Grace gasped. “How did you know about Todd?”
“Jane told me you have a crush,” he said, his eyelids lowered. “What does this Todd have that I don’t?”
Grace snorted. “Literally nothing. I moved on the moment I found out he likes Jane.”
“Then he’s an idiot.”
“I can’t blame him for liking someone more beautiful than me.”
“Don’t you dare say that,” Noah said. His eyes darkened. “No one is more beautiful than the girl I’m looking at right now.”
“Psh.” Grace chuckled uncomfortably. “You are brimming with lines, aren’t you?”
“I speak the truth,” Noah said, leaning back on the pillows. “Now quiet down. I’m trying to watch the movie.” He focused on the screen, pretending to watch with exaggerated concentration.
“What are you doing?” Grace said. “You obviously don’t like it.”
“I’m taking notes on how to be a prince for you,” he said, a sly grin on his face.
Grace couldn’t help but smile at the sparkle in his eye and the dimple in his cheek.
She was in trouble.
Grace turned to him. “I’m not going to sleep with you. In case you were wondering.”
“Oh, thank God,” Noah said. “I was worried you were trying to seduce me.”
Grace gasped. “Me? Seducing you?”
Noah laughed. “Yeah, with those penguin pj’s. They’re a real turn-on, you know.”
“Can you ever not be a flirt?”
Noah pressed his palm against his chest. “You wound me.”
“I’m sure,” Grace said with a roll of her eyes.
“And of course I can. Not be a flirt, that is.”
“Let’s see,” Grace said, folding her arms, challenging him. “Tell me one nonflirtatious thing.”
Noah looked at her while he was deep in thought. He tapped his lips with his finger, a flicker of mischief in his eyes. “I can tell what size shoe you wear, just by looking at your feet.”
“What?” Grace said. “Impossible.”
“No, it’s true. Let me see your flippers.”
Grace jutted her chin. “I don’t believe you, but you’ve certainly piqued my interest.” She pulled the covers down her legs and then paused. “Wait a minute. You don’t have some sort of foot fetish or something, do you? Because I’m not into—”
“No, not at all.” Noah laughed. “I swear. It’s just this weird gift that I have.”
“Well then, let’s see what you got.” Grace pulled out her feet from under the covers and flexed them for him to assess.
Noah took a foot in his hands, cupping her heel, and turned it side to side. Shivers ran up her leg. Then he closed one eye and yanked her foot up to his face as if he were looking into a microscope.
“What’s the verdict, Dr. Scholl?” Grace said, jerking her foot back, confident that he would never guess it right. She had long, slender feet, making them look smaller than they actually were, when in fact they were well above average for her petite five-foot frame.
“Nine,” he said smugly, sitting back on the pillows and focusing on the TV.
Grace’s mouth flew open. “How the hell—?”
Noah grinned so hard it looked like his cheeks were going to bust. “I’m just that good,” he said. “And damn, girl. That is an impressive size for a little thing like you.”
Grace blinked, unable to comprehend how someone could possibly know the size of shoe someone wore by looking at their foot.
“My aunt always says I’m well-grounded,” Grace said, smiling.
Noah chuckled. “You must be pretty sturdy on those things.”
“I am,” Grace said, unashamed. “I’m still stuck on the fact that you figured it out. How?”
Noah placed his hands behind his head and cradled his neck. He waited a tick before he said, “Your shoe.”
“What?”
“Your shoe, over there,” he said, pointing. “When I tripped on it, I saw the size of your shoe in the sole.”
“Oh my god,” Grace said, laughing. “You tricked me.” Her hand swatted his arm. “I believed you.”
“I’m. Sorry. But,” Noah said in between swats, “it was just too easy.”
They giggled until Grace’s belly hurt, and she slumped back down on her pillows, shoving her feet under the covers.
“It’s your turn,” Noah said.
“My turn for what?”
“Tell me something nonflirtatious.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “I’m not the flirty one. You are.”
“Then this should be pretty easy for you.”
Grace huffed, pulling her covers up to her chin. She hated talking about herself, especially when the person’s eyes glazed over and they just waited for her to be done. It happened every time.
Noah studied her for a moment. “Jane told me what you do for a living. You must have tons of stories from all those experiences you create. What’s the most fun thing you’ve ever done?”
Grace’s mouth opened to speak, but the truth held her back. She hadn’t gone on any of the experiences they created for their clients. Except for that one cheese-making company she and Tessa had visited over their lunch break last year. That hardly fit what Noah was talking about. “I actually haven’t done any,” she said solemnly.
“Really?”
Grace sank farther in her bed. “Really.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not interested in white-water rafting. Or snowshoeing. Or parasailing. It’s not safe.”
Noah shifted his weight, facing her now. His head was propped up on his hand as if he were waiting for her to continue.
“Are you scared?”
Grace thought about that for a moment. “Yes and no.”
“How can you be both scared and not scared?”
“You don’t need to hear the whole story,” Grace said, waving him off.
“I want to,” Noah said sincerely.
His willingness caught her by surprise. All the cheesy lines and cockiness was set aside as he draped over her bed, waiting to listen, eagerly.
Grace took a deep inhale. “My parents were big adventurers. They were constantly doing things, going places, exploring. That sort of thing.” She paused. “A part of me wanted to be just like them when I grew up.”
“But…”
“They died in a helicopter crash when I was nine.”
“Oh shit,” Noah said. “I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine going through something like that at such a young age. That must have been really hard for you.”
Grace nodded. “I’m still a little mad at them for it. No matter how unreasonable that may be.”
“It’s not unreasonable,” Noah said. “You’re allowed to feel however you feel.”
Grace jutted her chin forward. She had never been told that before. The novelty of it felt like a snuggly blanket around her heart. For years, she was told to let go. To forgive and move on. To not let her parents’ deaths prevent her from experiencing life. Aunt Judy was not exactly an inspirational life coach, and she didn’t believe in therapy.
You’re allowed to feel however you feel. Grace loved that. It was refreshing. Liberating.
She looked into Noah’s eyes. They had softened, watching her intently. He didn’t look bored or uninterested at all.
So Grace continued. “I loved my parents. I still do. I just wished they hadn’t had this need to constantly be out of the house. They did everything. Went everywhere. Without me.”
“Did that upset you?” Noah said. “Did you feel left out?”
Grace chewed the inside of her cheek. “It wasn’t that I felt left out. It’s more that they chose to leave, you know? They made a choice to do all these risky, adventurous things. They chose that life over me.”
Noah nodded in understanding.
“The last thing I want is to do the same thing to my aunt. To leave her behind. She can’t do much because of her MS. I need to be there for her, and it’s not fair for me to be having fun while she’s cooped up at home.”
Noah looked thoughtful for a minute, his eyes drifting across the ceiling, fixating on the fan that swooshed the air around. After a while, he said, “But you’re here now. In one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. It would make no difference to your aunt if you stayed in your hotel room or if you went out and did something fun, right?”
“Yes, but if something were to happen to me or if I died in a freak accident, she’d be left alone forever.”
“So you need something safe. An adventure, but nothing dangerous.”
“Exactly.”
His eyes brightened. “I’ve got the perfect idea.”
Grace turned her head, eyeing him cautiously. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“I promise you, it’s completely harmless. You need to get out, and there’s something I want to show you.”
Grace stared back at him. He had that excited sheen in his eyes that had Grace’s stomach doing flips, but the thought of leaving the comfort of her own bed was almost too much to bear. “It’s nine o’clock!”
“So?”
“Nothing good happens after nine o’clock.”
“Everything good happens after nine o’clock,” he said, smiling.
“But how will I know if the girl gets her prince at the end?” Grace said, pointing to the television, knowing full well that the girl always got her prince.
“Come on, Blue Eyes. It seems to me like somewhere, deep down in your genetic makeup, you have a desire to explore. To see the world.”
“I—”
“It’s buried. But it’s there. I can see it. You even said so yourself—you thought you’d end up being adventurous just like your parents one day.”
“Yeah, but that was until they died.”
“Listen. There’s something outside I want you to see. It’s not dangerous at all, I promise. It’s just an experience that you won’t regret.”
“I don’t know,” Grace said, trying to tamp down the excitement that was beginning to surface. She thought back to her text conversation with Tessa. Tessa would have definitely encouraged her to go.
“Come with me,” Noah said, sliding off the bed. He reached out his hand to help her up.
Grace stared at it, a shot of adrenaline coursing through her veins. “But what about Jane?”
“What about the life you’re not living because you’re too scared to live it?”
Grace zipped her lips. He had her there. “I’m wearing my pajamas,” she said, looking down at her buttoned-up flannel.
“Keep ’em on. Your seduction technique will eventually wear off on me,” he said teasingly.
Grace snorted, shaking her head. The dimple on his cheek made an appearance as his smile brightened.
“You can trust me,” he said, more seriously this time, an unsaid plea in his voice.
Grace found herself placing her hand in his, allowing his fingers to wrap around hers.
“Well,” Grace said, pulling herself up off the bed, “I’ve already gotten into a stranger’s van today. Why not top it off by going out into the night with no clue of where I’m going?”
“But you would if you could, right?” Noah said.
She loved Christmas. And she might have set up a tiny tree in her bedroom a few years ago and never put it away. She had told herself she was too busy, but in truth, she just loved seeing it every day.
Christmas brought back her favorite memories from her childhood. Her father used to make a big show of his Christmas light displays, competing with the neighbors to see who had the biggest, brightest house on the street.
It was her favorite time of year, but she refused to give Noah the satisfaction of being right.
“No,” she said.
Noah angled his head, appearing as though he was deciding if he wanted to press any further. He must have decided against it as he walked over to the counter and set the champagne bottle down. “Do you like champagne?” he said, unwrapping the foil.
“I—”
A knock at the connecting door had them both jolt, exchanging a look of terror.
“Grace?” Jane’s voice called from behind the door.
“Hide,” Grace whispered. “One second!” she called to the door.
Noah leaped over the bed, ducking down on the other side, but he was too tall. The top of his head peeked up like a Whack-a-Mole.
“I can see you. Go in the bathroom.”
Noah darted up and raced across the room, tripping on a shoe before tucking himself behind the wall. As soon as he was out of view, Grace opened the door.
Jane had put on a tight white dress and fire-red lipstick.
“Hey Jane, what’s up?”
Jane glanced at Grace’s pajamas, not bothering to hold back her laughter. “Cute pajamas.”
“Thanks,” Grace bit out.
“I was going to go to the bar, hoping I might run into that coffee delivery boy.”
Grace’s spine stiffened.
“I wanted to see if you wanted to come.” Jane trailed off, eyeing Grace up and down. “But I see you’ve already made plans.” Her eyes landed on the nearly opened champagne bottle. “Celebrating something?”
Grace glanced toward the bathroom to make sure Noah couldn’t be seen. “Yeah,” Grace’s voice cracked. “Just celebrating my first airplane ride with some champagne and a movie.”
“How precious,” Jane said, sticking her bottom lip out in that patronizing way of hers. “Well, enjoy. Don’t get too drunk. We have a big presentation tomorrow, and I need you to be clearheaded for all that technical crap our customers always ask about.”
“I’ll be fine. Have fun,” Grace said, closing the door. She rested her forehead on it for a moment, letting her heartbeat slow.
“Is it safe to come out now?” Noah whispered, his head poking out from behind the bathroom wall.
“Jane’s looking for you.”
“I heard.” Noah shuddered.
“You have to go.”
“Hell no. Come on, Grace. This is the perfect hiding place for me. She already knows my hotel room number. The concierge said it right in front of her. I can hide here with you, and she’ll never find me.”
“Noah! You’re not staying here tonight.”
“That’s not what I—” Noah cursed under his breath. “I just want to hang out for a little while. As friends. Please?”
Grace narrowed her eyes, cocking her head to the side. “I’m not sure we can be friends.”
“Sure we can.” Noah slipped off his shoes and climbed into bed.
Grace gasped. “What the heck are you doing? I haven’t agreed to this yet.”
“Yes, but you were going to.” Noah winked. “We’re watching a movie, right?” he said, tucking himself under the covers.
“I said I was watching a movie. You were on your way out.”
“Come on, Blue Eyes.” Noah patted the bedspread next to him. “I promise to behave. Scout’s honor.”
Grace let out an exasperated sigh. “You are incorrigible.” She bit down the smile that threatened to reach her face and lost. He looked so cute, cozied up in her bed. It was like all her Hallmark fairy godmother dreams had come true.
“Get in,” Noah said, smiling. “I want to see what this Prince of Christmas is all about.”
Grace slipped under the covers next to him, the heat under the sheets radiating up her legs. She was careful not to touch him for fear of bursting into flames.
They settled in bed together, watching the movie quietly a few moments before Noah leaned in to whisper, “This is really good.” His eyes widened as a herd of elves bombarded the screen, their faces painted like orange Oompa-Loompas.
“I speak fluent sarcasm, you know.” Grace nudged him with her elbow.
He nudged back, and the contact had her lady parts undulating with need.
The temptation of touching him was getting harder and harder to fight. Every nerve ending pointed to Noah, tempting her to scoot closer. To press herself against him.
They sat in silence for a while, at least pretending like they were watching the cupcake baker run into the prince for the first time. Grace couldn’t concentrate on anything but the intoxicating heat under the covers.
When she glanced up to see if he was paying attention to the movie, his stormy jade eyes were on her.
Liquid hot magma. She had become a pool of lava.
“You’re not paying attention,” Grace rasped.
“I’m not?” he said with a lazy smile, his eyes drifting to her lips.
“You’re not even looking at the TV.”
“Because I’ve got something better to look at.”
“Ugh! Noah. Your lines,” Grace said, making a gagging sound. “I thought we were just friends.”
“I don’t want to be just friends,” he muttered out of the corner of his mouth.
“But you said—”
“Forget what I said,” Noah said softly. “Unless it’s what you want.”
Grace chewed on her lip. She didn’t know what she wanted anymore. Before Noah, she had thought she wanted a relationship with someone like Todd. But now… she was confused. And turned on by the cocky stranger in her bed.
If she gave in to this newfound desire, it’d be short-lived. A fling. Something Tessa would encourage her to do but wouldn’t solve her need to find her own Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks-style happily-ever-after.
“I don’t know what I want,” Grace said. “But we’re not going to be more than friends if you keep feeding me cheesy lines.”
“Those don’t work for you?” Noah said playfully. “Would you rather I act like the prince in this movie? All proper and stuffy?”
“Something tells me you couldn’t if you tried.”
“Sure I could.”
Grace jerked her head. “A prince would never climb in bed with a woman without asking.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s historically false.”
Grace giggled. “I mean in the movies.”
“So, you do want a prince from a movie.”
“Not exactly. I don’t need to be showered with gifts or taken on magical carpet rides. I just want a normal relationship.”
“With Todd?” Noah said, arching a brow.
Grace gasped. “How did you know about Todd?”
“Jane told me you have a crush,” he said, his eyelids lowered. “What does this Todd have that I don’t?”
Grace snorted. “Literally nothing. I moved on the moment I found out he likes Jane.”
“Then he’s an idiot.”
“I can’t blame him for liking someone more beautiful than me.”
“Don’t you dare say that,” Noah said. His eyes darkened. “No one is more beautiful than the girl I’m looking at right now.”
“Psh.” Grace chuckled uncomfortably. “You are brimming with lines, aren’t you?”
“I speak the truth,” Noah said, leaning back on the pillows. “Now quiet down. I’m trying to watch the movie.” He focused on the screen, pretending to watch with exaggerated concentration.
“What are you doing?” Grace said. “You obviously don’t like it.”
“I’m taking notes on how to be a prince for you,” he said, a sly grin on his face.
Grace couldn’t help but smile at the sparkle in his eye and the dimple in his cheek.
She was in trouble.
Grace turned to him. “I’m not going to sleep with you. In case you were wondering.”
“Oh, thank God,” Noah said. “I was worried you were trying to seduce me.”
Grace gasped. “Me? Seducing you?”
Noah laughed. “Yeah, with those penguin pj’s. They’re a real turn-on, you know.”
“Can you ever not be a flirt?”
Noah pressed his palm against his chest. “You wound me.”
“I’m sure,” Grace said with a roll of her eyes.
“And of course I can. Not be a flirt, that is.”
“Let’s see,” Grace said, folding her arms, challenging him. “Tell me one nonflirtatious thing.”
Noah looked at her while he was deep in thought. He tapped his lips with his finger, a flicker of mischief in his eyes. “I can tell what size shoe you wear, just by looking at your feet.”
“What?” Grace said. “Impossible.”
“No, it’s true. Let me see your flippers.”
Grace jutted her chin. “I don’t believe you, but you’ve certainly piqued my interest.” She pulled the covers down her legs and then paused. “Wait a minute. You don’t have some sort of foot fetish or something, do you? Because I’m not into—”
“No, not at all.” Noah laughed. “I swear. It’s just this weird gift that I have.”
“Well then, let’s see what you got.” Grace pulled out her feet from under the covers and flexed them for him to assess.
Noah took a foot in his hands, cupping her heel, and turned it side to side. Shivers ran up her leg. Then he closed one eye and yanked her foot up to his face as if he were looking into a microscope.
“What’s the verdict, Dr. Scholl?” Grace said, jerking her foot back, confident that he would never guess it right. She had long, slender feet, making them look smaller than they actually were, when in fact they were well above average for her petite five-foot frame.
“Nine,” he said smugly, sitting back on the pillows and focusing on the TV.
Grace’s mouth flew open. “How the hell—?”
Noah grinned so hard it looked like his cheeks were going to bust. “I’m just that good,” he said. “And damn, girl. That is an impressive size for a little thing like you.”
Grace blinked, unable to comprehend how someone could possibly know the size of shoe someone wore by looking at their foot.
“My aunt always says I’m well-grounded,” Grace said, smiling.
Noah chuckled. “You must be pretty sturdy on those things.”
“I am,” Grace said, unashamed. “I’m still stuck on the fact that you figured it out. How?”
Noah placed his hands behind his head and cradled his neck. He waited a tick before he said, “Your shoe.”
“What?”
“Your shoe, over there,” he said, pointing. “When I tripped on it, I saw the size of your shoe in the sole.”
“Oh my god,” Grace said, laughing. “You tricked me.” Her hand swatted his arm. “I believed you.”
“I’m. Sorry. But,” Noah said in between swats, “it was just too easy.”
They giggled until Grace’s belly hurt, and she slumped back down on her pillows, shoving her feet under the covers.
“It’s your turn,” Noah said.
“My turn for what?”
“Tell me something nonflirtatious.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “I’m not the flirty one. You are.”
“Then this should be pretty easy for you.”
Grace huffed, pulling her covers up to her chin. She hated talking about herself, especially when the person’s eyes glazed over and they just waited for her to be done. It happened every time.
Noah studied her for a moment. “Jane told me what you do for a living. You must have tons of stories from all those experiences you create. What’s the most fun thing you’ve ever done?”
Grace’s mouth opened to speak, but the truth held her back. She hadn’t gone on any of the experiences they created for their clients. Except for that one cheese-making company she and Tessa had visited over their lunch break last year. That hardly fit what Noah was talking about. “I actually haven’t done any,” she said solemnly.
“Really?”
Grace sank farther in her bed. “Really.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not interested in white-water rafting. Or snowshoeing. Or parasailing. It’s not safe.”
Noah shifted his weight, facing her now. His head was propped up on his hand as if he were waiting for her to continue.
“Are you scared?”
Grace thought about that for a moment. “Yes and no.”
“How can you be both scared and not scared?”
“You don’t need to hear the whole story,” Grace said, waving him off.
“I want to,” Noah said sincerely.
His willingness caught her by surprise. All the cheesy lines and cockiness was set aside as he draped over her bed, waiting to listen, eagerly.
Grace took a deep inhale. “My parents were big adventurers. They were constantly doing things, going places, exploring. That sort of thing.” She paused. “A part of me wanted to be just like them when I grew up.”
“But…”
“They died in a helicopter crash when I was nine.”
“Oh shit,” Noah said. “I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine going through something like that at such a young age. That must have been really hard for you.”
Grace nodded. “I’m still a little mad at them for it. No matter how unreasonable that may be.”
“It’s not unreasonable,” Noah said. “You’re allowed to feel however you feel.”
Grace jutted her chin forward. She had never been told that before. The novelty of it felt like a snuggly blanket around her heart. For years, she was told to let go. To forgive and move on. To not let her parents’ deaths prevent her from experiencing life. Aunt Judy was not exactly an inspirational life coach, and she didn’t believe in therapy.
You’re allowed to feel however you feel. Grace loved that. It was refreshing. Liberating.
She looked into Noah’s eyes. They had softened, watching her intently. He didn’t look bored or uninterested at all.
So Grace continued. “I loved my parents. I still do. I just wished they hadn’t had this need to constantly be out of the house. They did everything. Went everywhere. Without me.”
“Did that upset you?” Noah said. “Did you feel left out?”
Grace chewed the inside of her cheek. “It wasn’t that I felt left out. It’s more that they chose to leave, you know? They made a choice to do all these risky, adventurous things. They chose that life over me.”
Noah nodded in understanding.
“The last thing I want is to do the same thing to my aunt. To leave her behind. She can’t do much because of her MS. I need to be there for her, and it’s not fair for me to be having fun while she’s cooped up at home.”
Noah looked thoughtful for a minute, his eyes drifting across the ceiling, fixating on the fan that swooshed the air around. After a while, he said, “But you’re here now. In one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. It would make no difference to your aunt if you stayed in your hotel room or if you went out and did something fun, right?”
“Yes, but if something were to happen to me or if I died in a freak accident, she’d be left alone forever.”
“So you need something safe. An adventure, but nothing dangerous.”
“Exactly.”
His eyes brightened. “I’ve got the perfect idea.”
Grace turned her head, eyeing him cautiously. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“I promise you, it’s completely harmless. You need to get out, and there’s something I want to show you.”
Grace stared back at him. He had that excited sheen in his eyes that had Grace’s stomach doing flips, but the thought of leaving the comfort of her own bed was almost too much to bear. “It’s nine o’clock!”
“So?”
“Nothing good happens after nine o’clock.”
“Everything good happens after nine o’clock,” he said, smiling.
“But how will I know if the girl gets her prince at the end?” Grace said, pointing to the television, knowing full well that the girl always got her prince.
“Come on, Blue Eyes. It seems to me like somewhere, deep down in your genetic makeup, you have a desire to explore. To see the world.”
“I—”
“It’s buried. But it’s there. I can see it. You even said so yourself—you thought you’d end up being adventurous just like your parents one day.”
“Yeah, but that was until they died.”
“Listen. There’s something outside I want you to see. It’s not dangerous at all, I promise. It’s just an experience that you won’t regret.”
“I don’t know,” Grace said, trying to tamp down the excitement that was beginning to surface. She thought back to her text conversation with Tessa. Tessa would have definitely encouraged her to go.
“Come with me,” Noah said, sliding off the bed. He reached out his hand to help her up.
Grace stared at it, a shot of adrenaline coursing through her veins. “But what about Jane?”
“What about the life you’re not living because you’re too scared to live it?”
Grace zipped her lips. He had her there. “I’m wearing my pajamas,” she said, looking down at her buttoned-up flannel.
“Keep ’em on. Your seduction technique will eventually wear off on me,” he said teasingly.
Grace snorted, shaking her head. The dimple on his cheek made an appearance as his smile brightened.
“You can trust me,” he said, more seriously this time, an unsaid plea in his voice.
Grace found herself placing her hand in his, allowing his fingers to wrap around hers.
“Well,” Grace said, pulling herself up off the bed, “I’ve already gotten into a stranger’s van today. Why not top it off by going out into the night with no clue of where I’m going?”
