Girl Online (23 page)

Sadie Lee heads off into the reception room, leaving Noah and me alone.

“So,” he says, bringing the hamper over to me.

“So.” I feel so self-conscious I have to look at the floor.

“If you could invite any fictional character to a picnic, who would it be?”

I instantly smile. Noah’s random questions are definitely great icebreakers. “Augustus Waters from
The Fault in Our Stars
,” I say. “So I could bring him back to life.”

“Great answer,” Noah says. “I’d bring that sappy guy from
Twilight
—so I could kill him.”

I laugh and look up at Noah, and the second our eyes meet I feel a kind of jolt inside. It’s so powerful it almost takes my breath away.

He smiles and looks away. “It’s good to see you again.”

“You’re welcome,” I say. I don’t know why I say it—well, I do: it’s because I’m an International Embarrassment Waiting to Happen, cursed by the God of Awkward Moments.

“I’m welcome?”

“No.”

“I’m not welcome?” Noah tilts his head to one side and grins at me.

“Yes, you are—it’s just—I—I didn’t mean to say that. I don’t know what . . .” I turn away slightly, so he doesn’t get third-degree burns from the heat coming from my face. “I meant to say, thank you.”

“
You’re welcome!
 ” Noah says loudly, and we both crack up laughing. “Come on,” he says, guiding me toward a door that I’d assumed was to a cupboard. The door actually leads to a narrow passageway, which leads to a fire exit. “Sadie Lee told me about this place,” he explains. “It’s where the kitchen staff come for a smoke.” He gives me a bashful grin. “Which makes it sound like the least glamorous picnic venue ever but
don’t worry—we’ll make it cool. And, much as I hate to see you covering up that dress, I’d hate for you to get pneumonia out there.” He pulls a fleecy hoodie from his bag.

It’s so huge on me it almost comes down to my knees.

“Hmm.” Noah frowns. “How come it looks a whole lot better on you than it does on me?”

And, just like that, he ignites my confidence and it starts to grow.

Noah opens the fire exit and we step outside onto an expanse of flat concrete rooftop surrounded by high metal railings. He takes me over to an alcove in the wall, where he lays out the tartan blanket from his truck.

“After you, ma’am,” he says, gesturing to me to sit down.

Noah sits down across from me and opens the hamper. He takes out a flask and a couple of cups. Then two plates and some really fancy cutlery and various parcels wrapped in tinfoil. I watch, my mouth watering, as he unwraps the parcels to reveal a selection of beautiful handmade canapés and chocolate-covered strawberries and fairy cakes. Then finally he pulls out two candles and a book of matches. “This must be Sadie Lee’s idea,” he says with a grin. “That woman’s such a romantic.”

He lights the candles and we sit there for a moment, grinning at each other, then looking away.

“I was hoping it would be a clear night,” Noah says, staring up at the dark sky. “I was hoping we’d be able to see the moon again.”

“It doesn’t matter. This is perfect.”

Way down below us I can hear the noise of New York but we’re so far up that the sirens and horns could almost be as soft as birdsong.

“I was thinking,” Noah says, unscrewing the flask. Steam spirals up from it into the cold air. “Maybe we could write each other once you get back home—and Skype—and instant message?” He looks at me and sighs. “Look, Penny, I wish you weren’t going tomorrow.”

I instantly grin. Sadie Lee obviously hasn’t told him that we’re staying. I wonder if she deliberately left it for me to tell him.

“There’s no need to look so happy about it,” Noah says, shaking his head.

“I’m not,” I say, my grin getting even wider.

“Really? You could have fooled me!”

“I’m not happy because I’m leaving—I’m happy because I’m
not
leaving. Not tomorrow, anyway. My mum’s been asked to organize a party, here in New York, the day before New Year’s Eve. We’re staying here till the new year!”

Noah’s mouth drops open. “You’re kidding?”

“Nope.”

He beckons to me across the picnic blanket. “Come here.”

I get onto my knees and shuffle toward him. As soon as I’m close enough, he grabs one of my hands. I feel giddy with anticipation.

“And do you want to know the best bit?” I say.

“That isn’t the best bit?”

I shake my head. “No, the best bit is Sadie Lee’s invited us to spend Christmas with you!”

Noah starts to laugh. “Yep, that’s definitely the best bit.” Then his expression goes all serious. He looks at me and I feel a weird tugging in the pit of my stomach. “So . . .” he says.

“So . . .” I echo back, my heart pounding.

He’s so close I can see a tiny fleck of ink on the side of his face. His hand closes tighter around mine and this automatically pulls me even closer, until our faces are just centimeters apart.
He’s going to kiss me! Is he going to kiss me? What should I do?
I close my eyes to try to block out any panicky thoughts. And then I feel his lips on mine—as light as a feather—and I feel myself kissing him back. Somehow, miraculously, I seem to know what to do. And then he lets go of my hand and I feel his strong arms wrapping around me, pulling me even closer. As the kiss gets more intense, I feel as if I’m melting into him.

And then my phone starts to ring. I let it go to voicemail while Noah hugs me tight.

“See, I told you—you are my inciting incident,” he says softly.

I nod and we break apart, although I notice we’re still sitting with our legs touching. “I’d better just check my phone,” I say, worried that Dad might be having a freak-out that I’ve gone off with Noah.

But the missed call is from Elliot. I go to my voicemail to retrieve his message.

“Penny! Where are you? Your mum says you’ve sneaked off somewhere with Prince Charming. Can you please, please come back ASAP? Bring him too; I’m sure the Bradys won’t mind. There’s been a catastrophe. My stupid parents won’t let me stay on—they’re making me fly home for Christmas—alone—can you believe it?!” There’s a short silence, during which my heart starts to sink. “Unless of course . . . Penny, would you come home with me?”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I guess my shock and horror must be obvious, because as soon as I put my phone back in my bag I see Noah staring at me, worried.

“What’s up?” he says. “You look as if someone just told you Santa doesn’t exist—he does, by the way, that’s just a vicious rumor made up by adults to spoil our fun.”

I laugh but it comes out really forced. “It’s my friend Elliot,” I say. “He’s got to go home tomorrow. His parents won’t let him stay on. They want him home for Christmas.”

Noah sighs. “That sucks.”

We both sit back down and Noah picks up the flask. “Sweet tea?”

I nod, even though I don’t really know what “sweet tea” is. All I can think of is Elliot’s question—will I go home with him? I feel totally torn. Much as I hate the thought of Elliot having to fly home on his own, I hate the thought of leaving Mum and Dad and Noah even more.

Noah passes me a cup and I take a sip. It’s not like any
kind of tea I’ve had before. It’s citrusy and sweet, kind of like hot lemonade.

“This is lovely,” I say.

“Another of Sadie Lee’s specialties,” Noah replies. “In South Carolina, where she’s from, they drink it all the time in the summer, with ice. This is her New York winter version.”

I take another sip and try to get back into the picnic vibe, but it’s no good. I can’t stop thinking about Elliot. I look at Noah. “Would it be OK if we went inside to the party? Elliot sounded really stressed. He said he needs to talk to me.”

A flicker of disappointment crosses Noah’s face and I feel really bad. But I can’t leave Elliot waiting, especially after he got so upset with me yesterday.

Noah nods. “Sure. Tell you what—you go see him. I’ll head off home.”

“No! I mean, can’t you come with me? I don’t want you to go.”

Noah laughs. “I can’t gate-crash someone’s wedding. And, anyways, I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.”

“Yes, but I’m sure the Bradys won’t mind. They’re a lovely couple. I can tell them you’re Sadie Lee’s grandson. I can say you’re my plus one.”

Noah raises his eyebrows and gives me a cheeky grin. “Your plus one, huh?”

“Yes. Please come with me.”

Noah shakes his head. “Listen. When I came here tonight, I thought it was to say goodbye. Now you’re gonna be here for another week, so it’s all good. I don’t mind waiting till
tomorrow. You go spend some time with your friend. He doesn’t need me getting in the way.”

“You wouldn’t be getting in the way, you—”

Noah puts his finger to my lips. “Shhh.”

“But the picnic . . .”

“We can have picnics every day when you’re staying at mine.” He grins at me. “Go see your friend.”

I sigh. “OK.”

“But first . . .”

Noah pulls me toward him and kisses me again, cupping my head with his hand and stroking my hair.

“Whoa!” he says, when we finally come up for air.

“Great kiss!” I say, because of course I can’t possibly do something momentous like properly kiss a boy without saying something embarrassing.

“Yes,” Noah says with an amused twinkle in his eye. “Great
kisser
.”

I laugh and look away. And even though my face is flushed, I don’t really care. That’s the difference with Noah—I can be an International Embarrassment Waiting to Happen, but it doesn’t matter because he doesn’t care.

“Come on,” he says. “Let’s get you back inside.”

• • •

When I get back to the party, my lips are still tingling from our kisses. But the second I spot Elliot the tingle starts to fade and my heart sinks. He’s sitting at the table on his own, looking utterly dejected.

“Where have you been?” he asks as soon as I sit down.

“Sorry, Noah wanted to go for a picnic and—”

“A picnic?”

“Yes, but don’t worry I—”

“So where is he now?” Elliot interrupts, looking toward the door.

“He’s gone home.”

“What? Why? He didn’t have to do that. I told you to bring him here.”

“He didn’t want to gate-crash the wedding.”

“But they wouldn’t have minded—he’s the caterer’s grandson.”

“I know but . . . anyway, what happened? What did your parents say?”

“They freaked.” Elliot looks down at the table and starts picking at the tablecloth. “They said that there was no way I could stay here for Christmas, that that wasn’t what they agreed to—like this is some legal case they’re working on. They’d rather I fly home on my own than stay here with you guys because they want a family Christmas. But”—Elliot pauses as if for dramatic effect—“they did say that if you came home with me you’d be welcome to spend Christmas at ours.”

“Oh—I—”

“Aha, the wanderer has returned!” Dad cries as he plonks down into the seat next to me. He’s red-faced and out of breath. Clearly some serious dad-dancing has been going on in my absence.

Mum sits down next to him. She’s not looking quite so ruffled, but then, she’s still a great dancer from her theater days. “Penny, where’s Noah?”

“He’s gone back home,” I say.

Mum frowns. “Already? Why didn’t you ask him to join us? I’m sure the Bradys wouldn’t have minded—he is Sadie Lee’s grandson after all.”

Geez, if I hear that one more time! “It’s OK. I needed to see Elliot—about his parents.”

“Ah yes.” Dad shakes his head, looking at Elliot. “It’s such a shame. Christmas won’t be the same without you.”

Elliot nods and sighs, then he turns to me. “So, what do you think, Pen?”

“I don’t know.” I gaze at the crowded dance floor, as if searching for inspiration. How can I possibly get out of this without hurting Elliot’s feelings?

“What does she think about what?” Dad asks.

“My parents have said that Penny is welcome to spend Christmas with us, if she comes home with me tomorrow.” Elliot looks at Dad hopefully.

I look at Mum and she raises her eyebrows. I focus really hard and try to send her a psychic daughter-mother message to beg her not to let me go.

“Oh, I don’t know . . .” Mum begins.