Someone behind us shushes him. Luke winces an apology. “We’ll talk more after the show.” He mimes zipping his lips.
I lean back in my seat and try to focus on the stage, my body still curved toward Nolan who sets his elbow on the armrest beside mine. The heat of him has goose bumps dancing across my skin in reaction. “Hudson and Evelyn are a few rows back,” he whispers.
I turn, trying to find them in the dark theater.
Nolan leans closer, his nose grazing the hollow part of my cheek, but he moves so fast I’m not sure if it was intentional or if accidents are teasing me. “I didn’t realize you and Evelyn were Monday besties.”
I lean closer, the armrest biting into my side. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
“How did your speech go on Wednesday?”
I haven’t seen him since Tuesday.
I flash a grin, not of confidence but wholly of relief.
“You passed?” His loud tone draws the attention of several people around us. “Cutlass, why didn’t you share the good news? I would’ve given you the rest of the clues as a celebratory gift.”
“You still would have pulled the pranks.”
He nods. “But I would have given you the clues sooner. Why don’t you look excited?’
“Because now I have to give my informative speech.”
“But you have to celebrate your wins, Cutlass. You accomplished something huge. You passed your first speech.”
“I was the only one in the class who hadn’t passed it. Some are already onto their third speeches.”
“We don’t give a shit about them. You passed. That’s all that matters, and we’re celebrating tonight.” His eyes dance, but then someone on stage yells, “A toast to me, and you, and to all!” The audience stands and erupts with cheers as pieces of toast begin flying toward the stage and laughter engulfs us.
It’s the greatest sound ever.
Chapter19
Nolan
Ibegan tonight with the best of intentions, everything clearly defined under friendship. We had friends to make it a group event, the theater to make it public, and an early ending to make it appropriate.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t seen her in two days that has me feeling starved to hear her laugh and tell me about her day, what she’s been cooking, how she solved the prank and more about how her speech went. Maybe it’s the trusting way she leans into me, or the fact her gaze has dropped to my mouth half a dozen times in the last ten minutes that has me throwing my previous intentions out the window.
I grab my phone and send out a series of texts checking and confirming details before nudging Hadley with my elbow. “Time to go.”
“What?” Hadley whispers.
I cock my head in the direction of the empty aisle, motioning for her to follow me.
“What’s wrong?” Luke asks, leaning forward in his seat to look at me.
I shake my head. “Nothing. You guys have a good time.” I grab Hadley’s hand. “See you next week,” I tell him.
Hadley gives him a small wave as she follows me. “Where are we going? Are the others coming?”
“I told you; we’re going to celebrate.”
“Those are vague details.”
I grin, pushing the door that leads to the parking lot open. Outside, autumn teases the air. Hadley shivers beside me, prompting me to drape my arm around her shoulders and pull her close.
“Whereare wegoingto celebrate.”