CHAPTER SEVEN

11 years ago at  Mason high school cafeteria.

“Has anyone asked you out for prom?” Emily asked Jennifer.

“Not yet… there is no need for you to worry about that. I know Noah would ask you out."

“What do you mean? We are just friends.” Emily leaned over and whispered, “Besides, I want Jason.”

“Jason? The one every girl in school is swooning over,” Jennifer raised her eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“You are joking, right? I can’t tell if you are or not,” Jennifer said, tilting her head from side to side

“No, I am not,” Emily rolled her eyes.

“Well, I wish you all the best,” Jennifer shrugged as popped some French fries into her mouth.

Suddenly, Jennifer's eyes lit up and began waving. Emily swiveled to see Noah waving back with a tray in his other hand. As he approached them.

Emily instinctively scooted over for him to sit.

 He sat beside Emily, he asked, “hey what are you two gossiping about?”

“Who we wished to ask out for prom?” Jennifer answered.

“And has anyone asked you out for prom?” Noah asked, staring at Emily

“No luck yet.” Emily felt her face flush.

“I want to talk to you,” he said to Emily, holding both her hands.

“I am right here with you. You know, can talk to me” A frown of puzzlement briefly marred Emily's smooth brow.

 Noah's gaze kept bouncing from Emily to Jennifer. Then he gave a slight cough.

“I think this is my sign to take my leave. I know when I am not needed,” Jennifer said, picking up her tray.

Emily grabbed Jennifer's hand. "I don’t think Noah means that,” then turning attention to Noah, “do you?”

“Come on, Em. I’m a big girl. I would be fine. You guys should talk.” Jennifer said, winking at Emily.

“What’s gotten into her?” she muttered.

“Maybe she already knows what I am about to ask you.” Noah flashed a lopsided grin.

“About me being your prom date?” Emily giggled. "Of course you know my answer would be ‘yes’.”

“Good to know. You are happy to be my prom date.” Noah smiled.

“As if you had a choice. After all, we plan to go to the same university.”

“When your father tells you about the university you are going to. Promise to tell me,” Noah said, gazing into her eyes.

“I promise,” Emily said, nodding her head.

 “But that’s not what I want to ask you, though.” Logan tipped his head down.

Noah could feel his hand getting sweaty. He pulled back his hands and rubbed it down his trouser

" Okay, you are scaring me. Right now,” Emily said, uneasiness creeping into her voice.

“I like you… I always have.”

Emily's mouth gaped open. She could feel a swirl of nervous knots in her stomach.

Noah continued, unfazed by Emily's reaction

“I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. That’s why I said nothing. I want to be your boyfriend…what I am trying to say is, will you be my girlfriend?”

“But we are friends,” she whispered.

“But I want us to be more than friends.” Noah said, scratching the back of his neck.

Emily bit her lips and said nothing. The look on Emily's face told him everything. That what they are, can’t be more than friends. Noah stood up abruptly and left.

Noah never spoke to her again. And they never kept their promise to go to the prom or even schooling in the same university.

***

Present day at the bar.

“It's nice to see you again.” Emily tilted her head and met his eyes.

“Likewise,”

They both clinked their glass. Each taking a sip of their drinks.

“What about Jennifer? You guys were inseparable back then.”

 “Can we change the subject? I don’t want to talk about her right now,” Emily said, looking dejected.

She didn’t want to think of Jennifer and her betrayal.

Noah noticed her crest-fallen face and asked, “Did something happen?”

“I told you I don’t want to talk about it,” Emily responded, her lips flattening.

“Okay. When you are ready. You know you can always talk to me” Noah gave a curt nod and slowly smiled. Then he reached over the table and held her hand.

Emily withdrew her hand and glanced away.

“Thank you,” Emily said, quickly changing the topic. “So, what are you up to now?”

“I am the host of a baking competition. What about you?”

“I am about to start a bakery.”

“Well, if you’re interested, we’re hosting a competition soon. I can’t promise a great cash prize, but it would be a good way to donate to any charity of your choice.”

 “That sounds great. I’d love to take part.”

“Cool, I will make sure you’re signed up. When the competition commences,” Noah said. Then pointed at her hand. “I can’t help but notice the ring on your finger. Are you married or trying to ward off unwanted attention?”

“What do you think?”

“The latter?”

“Okay.” Emily chuckled, nodding her head, and didn’t bother to refute him.

“Can I have your number?”

Emily’s brows knitted together. She didn’t want to give him hope that they could be more than friends.

“Don’t worry, I won’t force my feelings on you.” Noah's lips smiled faintly.

Emily hesitated. Noah didn’t deny his feeling, but he was also aware there was a line she wouldn’t cross. But she relented and handed over her phone to him. She watched Noah type his number into her phone.

“You don’t waste time, do you?”

Emily’s body tensed as she heard Logan's voice behind her.