She gives me a sheepish smile. “Ginny showed me.”
“Well, it hurt.” Kira laughs. “Hey, I have an idea to throw at you.”
“Okay,” she answers slowly.
“I’m thinking of offering private lessons, but I want someone who doesn’t have the same restrictions as I do to be my assistant. I don’t have a lot of details yet because I’m still figuring it out. I was wondering if you’d be interested.”
Kira’s jaw drops. “Really?”
“Yeah. Just something to think about. You’d get paid, of course, and we can go over details once I know more. I’m sure this is something you should talk about with your mom.”
“Yeah, I will. I’m sure she won’t mind as long as it doesn?
?t interfere with school.”
“Great.” She gives me her email address, so I can send details. Having this one part sort of finalized makes me want to hurry up and finish my planning. Kira would be a great help, I’m certain of it.
About twenty minutes later, we wrap things up for the day and we each head home. Erica frowned when she saw me, her gaze dropping to my hand. My love life seems to be what everyone is concerned with. Some of the girls apparently follow Noah’s account and I could tell by the expressions on their faces that they were unimpressed with my ring. I felt no need to defend it. Noah bought that ring when we were teenagers and I think about that every time I look at it or feel it rub against my skin. I don’t care one bit that it’s not some huge, showy diamond. It’s our history, our beginning, and I want it to be a part of our present and future.
Noah is sitting on the couch while Marc sits at the other end with his feet on the coffee table. Both are playing a video game. When Noah sees Leo be brave by jumping off the couch, he realizes I’m home. He tosses his controller aside to stand and walk over to me.
“Hey.” I smile.
He doesn’t say anything. He cups my face and steals my breath with his kiss. His tongue charges forward into my mouth and tangles with mine like it’s some long-lost friend. My fingers dig into his waist. I lean into him, but then hear an explosion coming from the TV. I pull away with a laugh before we get carried away since Marc is here and Leo is jumping up against my leg, waiting to be acknowledged.
“What was that for?” I ask, picking Leo up to kiss him on the head.
“Marc showed me your post from when we were out for pizza.”
Oh. I took a photo of us with the caption, “I’ve officially retired as my shoulder is too weak to continue playing as a pro. However, there’s no one else I’d rather spend the rest of my life with. I’m his #1 fan again.” Who needs an official release or anything else? I’ve been out this long and I’m not coming back, so I chose to slip it into the post. No tears were shed.
“Dinner’s ready, by the way. Marco wants to watch a movie that just released on DVD.”
I like when Noah cooks because his diet seems so different from what mine was and I feel like I’m not feeding him what he’s supposed to be eating. Plus, his food is always good.
“Thanks.” I give him a quick kiss. “I smell like sweat, so I’m going to shower first.”
“Can I join you?” Marc asks over his shoulder, still playing the game. “It’s my birthday,” he adds.
“Really?” I slap Noah’s shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“Would you have bought me a present?” Marc finally pauses the game and turns to look at me.
“Of course.” I walk over and smack a loud kiss on his cheek. “Will you accept that instead?”
Marc grins and flicks his gaze to Noah. “And you were worried about me developing funny feelings for your future wife. I think you should be talking to her about that.”
I laugh and face Noah, who shakes his head and pushes me toward the hallway. I make my shower quick, already planning to make the guys go get ice cream with me. If it’s Marc’s birthday, we at least need to eat something sweet to celebrate. The guys have apparently eaten already, but they sit at the table with me while I eat.
“So, what did you do for your birthday?” I ask.
“Nothing special. Been hanging out with Noah, and now you.”
“Well, I think we should go out for ice cream, Noah’s treat.”
“We don’t have to,” Marc immediately says.
“Yes, we do. It’s your birthday! You have to eat something sweet on your birthday.”