Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
“Noelle, I’m so sorry,” York says, navigating the roads like a pro.
“Sorry for what?”
He glances at me for a quick second before staring back at the road. “For… you know what?” He pulls the truck off the side of the road. He turns in the driver’s seat to look directly at me. “I’m not sorry for a damn thing. Noelle, I know this whole thing is for pretend, but I don’t want it to be. I want you. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in all of my life.”
My heartbeat bangs loudly in my ears. “Really?”
He leans toward me. “Yeah. Do you want to date me for real?”
I can’t stop the smile that splits my face. “Yes, York. I want it.”
Our lips crash together as we kiss on the side of the road. And I don’t care who drives by to see. Our fake relationship is now real.
Just how are we going to tell everyone?
We’re sitting around the kitchen table, mugs of hot cocoa in hand, the smell of cinnamon and chocolate filling the air. The house feels warm, cozy—the kind of night where everything should feel perfect. And for the most part, it does. York and I have finally decided to be an official couple. The thought makes my heart flutter, a little thrill running through me every time I glance at him across the table. He’s sitting there, casually listening to my dad ramble about the plans for tomorrow’s winter festival charity event, his smile soft and knowing. Every so often, his eyes meet mine, and it sends a jolt of happiness through me.
But then the knot in my stomach tightens, reminding me of the one thing I can’t shake: my parents don’t know. And I have no idea how to tell them, especially my father.
Dad’s stirring his cocoa with a spoon, oblivious to the anxiety swirling inside me. He’s deep in conversation with my mom, making plans about the booths for tomorrow, the music, the volunteers. But all I can think about is how he’s going to react when he finds out I’m dating York Steele—his York. The guy he practically considers family.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. Now’s not the time to drop that bomb. I mean, York and I just made it official. We haven’t even had time to settle into the idea of us being a real couple, let alone face the potential fallout from my father. I shift in my seat, fidgeting with the edge of my sweater, my eyes darting between my parents and York.
“Are you okay, Noelle?” My mom’s voice cuts through my thoughts, and I realize I’ve been staring into my mug like it holds all the answers to my problems.
“Yeah,” I lie, plastering a smile on my face. “Just thinking about tomorrow. It’s going to be a busy day.”
“Busy, but it’ll be great,” my dad adds with a grin. “The festival’s always a hit, and this year’s kissing booth is going to raise a lot of money. You excited, York?”
York nods, leaning back in his chair, completely at ease. “Yeah, should be a good time. Looking forward to seeing everyone out there.”
He’s so calm, so York—like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I envy that. He has no idea how much I’ve been stressing about telling my parents. I wonder if he’s even thought about it. My dad trusts him, respects him. How’s he going to react when he realizes York’s dating his daughter?
I’m chewing on my lip, lost in my thoughts, when my dad stands up, stretching. “Well, it’s getting late. We’ve got an early start tomorrow, so I’m heading to bed. You two should get some rest, too.”
My heart skips a beat as everyone starts to say goodnight. My mom gets up and hugs me, and then York. Everything feels so normal, like it’s just another evening. But inside, I’m freaking out.
“Night, Noelle,” York says, his voice low and warm as he brushes past me on his way to his room. His hand grazes mine, just for a second, and it’s like a jolt of electricity. I want to reach out, grab him, tell him to stay with me. But instead, I force myself to smile as I mumble, “Goodnight.”
I watch as he disappears down the hall, my heart sinking as he goes. I head to my own room, but the moment I lie down, I know there’s no way I’m sleeping tonight. My thoughts are spinning too fast, my mind racing with everything left unsaid. The truth sits heavy on my chest—this secret about York and me. And now that we’re official, keeping it from my parents feels even more overwhelming.
I toss and turn, the sheets twisting around me as my brain refuses to shut off. All I can think about is York, just a few rooms away, probably already asleep. But I’m wide awake, aching to see him, to feel that connection between us again. I stare up at the ceiling, wishing he were here beside me, wanting to feel the safety of his presence, the way he makes everything else fade away.