Chapter Fourteen
GRACE
It was Friday night, and Grace had curled up with a book in her bed.
After the night before, she was avoiding the attic. She didn’t want to disturb Noah’s stoic solitude. It was no use to force things between them. Maybe she was wrong, and they weren’t meant to be. Who said that hybrids could accurately detect their other half? Her radar might be broken.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Who is it?”
No answer.
Another knock.
“Who is it?” she asked again.
No answer and another knock.
Grace groaned. It was probably one of the guys being annoying. She knew they wouldn’t stop if she didn’t do something about it.
She looked at the clock. Night had fallen, although it was only seven o’clock. A sidereal day on her planet took twenty hours to complete. The nights were also longer once summer was over. At that time, her friends should have left to party unless the rain was deterring them from going.
Another knock, but this time, Grace was ready and opened the door.
“Who is it?” Her bad mood turned into surprise. “Noah?”
He smiled, and her stomach dropped. “Am I disturbing you?”
“No.”
Another smile. She noticed he was dressed to go out and not stay at home. Maybe he came back from somewhere.
“Do you need anything?” she probed.
“I was just wondering.”
“Yes?”
“It’s Friday night,” Noah said.
“I know.”
“D-do you want to go out with me?”
It took a few moments for his words to register in her brain. Then, a few more moments for her to select the right answer to that question instead of retorting with other questions that would ruin the moment.
“Grace, did you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have other plans?” He peeked inside the bedroom. “Were you reading?”
Taking control over her emotions, Grace breathed deeply. “Yes, and yes.”
Noah blinked as if he had no idea what she was saying.
“Yes, I want to go out. Yes, I was reading.”