When Noah finally let go of her hand to finish gathering a few other things that had been left onstage, Mia felt an instant sense of loss, and truthfully?
Her emotions were beginning to scare her.
Even though she hadn’t admitted it to Bree, Mia had noticed Noah Erikson in the hallway during the first day of school, and she was pretty sure that he’d noticed her too. Their eyes had locked, and the connection had felt electric. She could see it in his eyes as plainly as he could probably see it in hers.
Noah’s grandmother had suggested the four of them go out, but Amanda was studying Mia and Bree quizzically, seeming to come to a decision when Noah returned after watching the remaining members of his band drive away.
“I think I’m going to head home and let the three of you drive to the inn together. I have a feeling I’d look a little out of place hanging around with you guys,” Amanda said dryly, before turning to Mia. “Be home by eleven?”
Mia smiled. “You’ve got it.”
Amanda looked at Noah’s grandparents. “I think the three of us would cramp their style.”
“What’s that all about?” Mia snorted. “That’s the second time you’ve said that today.”
Eyes twinkling, Noah’s grandfather answered, “She’s right. Us tagging along just wouldn’t be cool.”
“Anyone who gives me a hard time about something as stupid as that, isn’t really a friend,” Noah said, winking at his grandfather.
“He’s such a good boy,” Noah’s grandmother said.
Noah rolled his eyes, grimacing at Mia.
Mia smiled widely.
Noah mumbled, “Gram. Whatever you do, make sure that doesn’t get around? I’d hate to ruin my rep.”
Everyone laughed.
Amanda said, “I guess I’d better be on my way before it gets darker.”
Noah’s grandmother asked, “Can we take you home?”
“I can drop you off, Amanda,” Bree said, turning to Noah’s grandmother. “The house is right on the way to Dragonfly Pointe.”
“You know what, Bree? I wouldn’t mind a ride,” Amanda admitted. “It’s not too far from here, but the path isn’t well lit.”
“You’ve got it,” Bree answered.
“In that case,” Noah’s grandmother smiled, “we’ll just see everyone later.”
Noah’s grandparents made their way to the truck, where his grandfather held open the door for his grandmother before making his way around, stepping inside and settling behind the wheel, revving up the engine.
Noah muttered, “Don’t try to unload any of that equipment, Gramps.”
“Yes, Sir,” his grandfather answered with a smile. “I’ll park the truck in the barn. You can take care of it tomorrow when your friends arrive for practice.”
“Alright. I should be home by eleven-thirty,” Noah said.
“Enjoy yourselves kids,” Noah’s grandmother called out. “It was nice to meet you, Mia and Bree. See you, Amanda.”
As the truck went into motion, Amanda shouted over the roar of the engine. “Bye, Barb. I’ll see you later next week, Will.”
Watching his grandparents driving away, Noah reached for Mia’s hand again.
And her eyes met his. Had he felt that shock?
She had to think yes, because he was looking a little muddled when he spoke. “Okay, so I guess I’ll meet you two in the parking lot at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn?”
Mia looked at Bree who was smiling from ear to ear. “Bree?”
“Huh?” Shaking her head, Bree answered, “Oh, yeah. That’s fine. We’ll be there after we drop off Amanda.”
Mia didn’t even look at Amanda because she was certain Amanda was trying to control her laughter. When it came to interaction with boys, Mia and Bree had to be the most socially inept girls in town.
Looking down at their hands, Mia finally answered Noah. “Alright. We’ll see you in about fifteen or twenty minutes.”
“Alright,” Noah said, wearing a silly smile. But he wasn’t letting go of her hand.
Mia looked at him with a shy smile. “I guess I’ll need my hand back.”
Mia heard Amanda’s muffled laughter.
Shaking his head, Noah blinked, dropping Mia’s hand while laughing softly. “I guess you will. I’ll see you in a few.”
Noah’s bike was parked behind the bandstand, and when he walked away and headed towards it, Bree pulled out the keys for her car.
While Bree walked ahead of them across the parking lot, Mia peeked at Amanda’s face as they followed.
Amanda had been holding back her laughter since meeting Noah, and sure enough, she was ready to explode.
And when they stepped into Bree’s car, that’s exactly what she did.