Home > London Prep: Book Two (London Prep, #2)(5)

London Prep: Book Two (London Prep, #2)(5)
Author: Jillian Dodd

When I’m ready, I look myself over in the mirror, feeling excited to hang out with Naomi.

I want to leave a little early, giving myself plenty of time to get there. I have to take the tube, and I need to go down into the station to buy a card to use to get on and off. I’ve only taken the tube a few times, but New York has a similar subway system, and I know I’ll be able to manage it on my own.

When I leave my room, Noah’s coming up the stairs. He slows his steps, looking over me when he gets into the hallway. I have on boots that come up over my knees, but Noah’s eyes easily find the exposed skin past the hem of my skirt.

His eyes slip further up me, and I swallow hard, feeling frozen under his gaze. But then he dips in his brows and crosses his arms.

“Where are you going?”

“Out. Obviously,” I reply, widening my eyes at him, already annoyed at his mood. Because who does he think he is!

His brows pull in further, and he glares at me.

I cross my arms too, wanting to show him that he can’t just interrogate me.

“Cool,” he says, his face softening.

And it takes me by complete surprise. He slips past me, going into his room. I stand there for a second, staring at the empty spot where he was just standing.

“Yeah, well, I’m actually going to hang out with Naomi,” I say, following him into his room.

I’m frustrated because Noah already looks disinterested. And I know I should be glad, but his possessive attitude mixed with indifference is infuriating.

“Are you crazy?” He takes a step closer to me, tensing.

“I am not crazy.” I scowl at him. “I think we’re going to get along actually.”

“Right.” Noah snorts. “You have to know that this is going to cause more drama.”

“No, it’s not,” I counter. “Naomi is nice. And sweet.”

“And she’s Olivia’s best friend. You could literally pick anyone else. Why do you have to be friends with her?”

“Why are you so worked up about this? She’s nice, and we have a class together. That’s it.”

Noah pushes his hand through his hair while I scan his face. He looks upset, and part of me wants to reach out to him. But the other part of me wants to scream at him.

“I just don’t want the drama. I thought that would be done after yesterday,” he says.

And my stomach instantly drops.

“Noah, I’m looking forward to this. I have no idea how it will go, but I want to move past everything with Olivia too,” I admit.

Noah pulls his lips to the side, looking away from me. And I can tell he’s thinking.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll have fun then,” he finally gets out, connecting his gaze with mine.

The way his dark eyes linger on mine sends butterflies through my stomach.

And I know that I have to squash them.

I rip my eyes away from his, taking a step back because I need the space between us.

“Thanks. And where are you off to today?” I ask, noticing he’s in jeans and a sweater.

“To the pub with Dad,” he says, a smile forming on his lips.

“You excited?” I ask, grateful for the change of subject.

“We always have a good time.”

“Well, I should probably go,” I finally say, turning toward his door.

But something stops me.

And it’s Noah.

He takes my arm in his hand, pulling me back toward him and into a hug.

I stand motionless, completely shocked.

“I’m sorry. I was being an ass,” he says, causing my arms to seemingly act of their own accord, wrapping around him, hugging him back.

“I don’t want drama either.”

Noah holds me tighter. My hands move across his shoulders. Then, all of a sudden, I’m rubbing his back, my hands having a mind of their own.

I try to stop them. I really do. But I can’t.

Noah lets out a soft moan, tucking his head down next to mine.

I instantly flush, my body reacting. I press my fingers deeper into his skin, my nails digging in.

Noah’s palms press flatly against my back and then move down my back to my butt, causing me to bow toward him.

Goose bumps rise across my skin when he stops at my tailbone, dragging his hands back up.

His hands are warm but firm.

He presses into my hips, pulling me even closer.

Then, I realize just how close we are. How our stomachs are touching. How lots of parts are touching.

“Fuck,” I barely whisper, trying to peel myself off of him. I force my fingers to let go of his skin, taking a step back.

Noah’s eyes are glazed over, his mouth slightly open. His gaze moves from my lips up to my eyes.

“I, uh … I need to go,” I say, standing straight as a board. I keep my mouth closed and try to look composed.

“I do too,” he admits, rubbing his hand down the back of his neck.

I nod, knowing that I have to get out of his room.

I slip past him, rushing down the stairs.

“Bye, guys,” I call out to Gene and Helen, who are both seated in the living room.

Helen is reading a book while Gene is typing on his computer.

“Bye,” they say back as I practically fly out the front door.

The second I’m out of their sight, I take a moment to try to relax. But it doesn’t work. Not even the cool air helps. Because my mind is going wild.

I definitely like Noah.

At least, my body does.

But the thing is, I know that what I’m feeling is wrong.

Because I care about Harry.

I really like him.

Things have just been so intense with Noah. He’s so hot and cold. Either hate or hug.

And it has to stop.

Because I think if that stops, so will these crazy, wild emotions I’m feeling.

I like Noah, but I want to be with Harry.

And Harry has made it clear that he wants to be with me.

I just need to stop letting whatever Noah says or does get to me so much.

I push my shoulders back, knowing that I’ve decided.

I need to make it clear to Noah that I’m with Harry. And that, despite wanting to be his friend, I have to set some boundaries with him.

I make my way to the tube station, only having to go two stops before I get off. When I emerge from the hidden tunnels below the city, I take in the beautiful and uniform brick buildings. There are a lot of people out, cars rushing down the street. The noise somehow calms me, and I weave through the crowds until I get a few streets off the main road, easily finding Avon Nails.

I let out a heavy breath and then pull open the door. Everything in the salon is white, and there are flowers on every workstation.

Rows of colorful nail polishes line one wall.

I notice Naomi immediately. She’s seated in one of the waiting chairs, her eyes glued to her phone. She throws her phone into her purse, getting up when she sees me.

“Hey.” She smiles, moving her face toward mine. I almost pull away but then realize she’s just trying to kiss my cheeks to say hello. She puts her cheek up to mine on each side, her hand on my shoulder. “Find it all right?” she asks, her eyes coming up to meet mine.

“Yeah.” I nod at her.

“Ladies, follow me,” the woman at the reception desk says to us, “I’ll show you to your chairs.”

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