Chapter Twenty-Four Odette #2
She steps toward me, taking my hands in hers. “You can do this. I know it’s scary, but I have a feeling it will be worth it.”
She’s right. It is scary. So damn scary that my knees are shaking, and I think I’m about a minute away from bolting.
But more than that, I want to turn around.
I want to see Noah.
So, with a steadying breath, I do.
He’s handsome. No, he’s beyond handsome.
I’ve seen him in a lot of suits over the years thanks to hockey, but he’s never looked this good before.
He’s trimmed the scruff that usually lines his face, and though his beautiful brown eyes are tired, they’re also full of hope.
Dammit if that doesn’t spark some in me too.
“Hey, darlin’.” His voice is as smooth as a pint of cider on a cold winter night.
“Noah,” I respond.
He steps into me, but it’s not with the same confidence he had before. It’s a little stuttered and unsure, and I know it has to do with me pulling away from him last night. He’s afraid I’m going to run again.
I want to.
But I also want to stay.
“What is all this?” I ask quietly, acutely aware that we have an audience.
It feels like the whole town is packed into this barn, and all eyes are on us. Even the music stopped. Lydia and Brian stare at us with that same hope I see in their son’s eyes. My nonna, mother, and aunts all look on from their table.
Given the Chambers family history, I expected to see trepidation, but there is none. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of them look more confident than they do at this moment.
I’m not sure if that terrifies or encourages me.
I look back at Noah, who is watching me closely.
“This is your party.”
“My party? But this is supposed to be the liberation celebration.”
“It is,” he says. “But it’s not just to celebrate Izzy getting rid of that ass clown. It’s to celebrate everyone’s liberation.”
I glance at my family. Is that why they’re wearing their old wedding attire? Are they celebrating their liberation too? Is it from . . .
“The curse.”
“Yes,” Noah says, reading my mind. “They’re here to finally put that wretched Chambers curse behind them. And I think it’s time you finally face it too.”
“Face it? What do you mean?”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a piece of paper I have stared at since I was twelve.
It’s wrinkled, so he handles it with care as he unfolds and flattens it out.
My wedding wish list.
It’s the same one I rolled into a ball and tossed aside. The one that I swore I was done with. The one I thought was lost forever.
He kept it.
I had no idea he went back to the living room and dug the paper out from under the couch, where I’m sure Beans inevitably took it. I never would have thought Noah picked it up and kept it.
“Noah . . .” I say his name because I can’t not say it.
He drags his hand through his hair, and I don’t miss the way it shakes.
He’s nervous. I’ve never seen Noah nervous before, not even when facing down Detroit to win the Stanley Cup.
“Look, I know you say you don’t believe in marriage,” Noah says, “and I’m not here to try to trick you into that.
That’s not what this is about. This is about giving you everything you ever dreamed of.
I won’t lie to you—when you crumpled up this piece of paper and gave it to the cats like a toy, a tiny part of me was relieved.
I was glad that we were on the same page.
I didn’t want marriage, and you, a damn wedding planner, didn’t want it either.
But I couldn’t help but feel this heavy weight that settled into my gut as I watched you throw it away.
It was like you were tossing away all your hopes and dreams, and I couldn’t stand it.
And I really couldn’t stand the fact that it was all because of the curse. ”
His lips pull down into a frown.
“I know you think it’s real, and I can understand why,” he continues, then gestures toward my family.
“I mean, they’ve had it rough as hell. Nobody denies that.
But I think a part of you has hidden behind that for years.
You’ve blamed your failures on that. You’ve closed yourself off so much because you’re afraid of what it could take from you that you’ve forgotten how to live.
And I . . .” He rolls his tongue over his lips.
“I’d like you to give it a try with me.”
He wants to try with me? Does that mean . . .
“Noah . . . what are you saying?”
“I’m saying I love you, Odette. I know that goes against what you wanted this to be, but I can’t help the way I feel.
I’ve tried. Trust me. I was as big a skeptic as you.
But it’s because of you that I believe again.
I believe in love and a future. In forever, even, especially if it’s with the right person.
I believe in us, and that’s a whole hell of a lot stronger than any curse because you’re my right person, and I want you to be my future too. ”
This was not what I expected when I walked into this barn tonight. I figured I’d drink, dance, and spend the evening consoling Izzy. I had no idea I’d be walking into a love confession.
I wait for my heart to thunder in my chest or my palms to sweat. For my breaths to grow quicker and quicker. Or for that flight response to kick in.
None of that happens, though, and I know it’s because I love him too.
“Noah, I—”
“Wait,” he says. “Before you say anything or turn me down, just please know that even if you don’t feel the same way, it’s okay.
I’ll wait. I’ll wait until you’re ready and until you believe me, no matter how long that might be.
I’ll spend every day proving to you I’m not going anywhere and that I’m not letting any idea of a curse chase me away.
I’m going to love you no matter what, and I’m going to be here. ”
My lips twitch. “Can I talk now?”
He nods, swallowing roughly and dropping his attention to the floor.
I step closer to him until the tips of our shoes are touching, then slide my hand over his face and tilt his chin up until I can see his brown eyes.
He’s nervous again, and I have such an urge to kiss him, but I don’t.
First, I have to tell him how I feel.
“I’m glad you’re going to be there, because I plan to be there too. Right along with you, fighting these doubts every step of the way. Because I love you, Noah. I’m. . . ugh, I’m so damn in love with you I can hardly breathe sometimes.”
His breath stutters as if to drive my point home. “You do?”
“I do. I really, really do. Does it scare me? Yes, immensely. But I’m okay with that. I’m okay with being scared if it means being scared with you.”
He drops his forehead to mine, sighing. “Thank fuck.”
Then he kisses me.
Noah Stevens kisses me in front of everyone.
His hand cradles the back of my head, holding me to him, not caring at all that we’re giving the whole town quite the show as his tongue traces along the seam of my lips.
He just keeps kissing me, and I let him.
Our kiss slows after some time—way past appropriate—and I can’t help but giggle.
“What?” he asks, lips still ghosting against mine, almost like he can’t help it.
“Happy.”
It’s all I say because it’s all I can say. It’s true. It’s real.
I am happy and can’t remember the last time I truly was, not like this.
I pull away, looking around the barn.
“Noah, this party . . . it’s incredible. You made my wedding wish list.”
“I had a bit of help. Nearly the whole town chipped in. And don’t worry—we donated the old flowers and found something to do with the food. Let’s just say we’re all going to be eating a whole lot of cream puffs, strawberries, and macarons.”
He truly thought of everything. “I can’t believe you did this. Thank you.”
“It’s no big deal.”
I grin. It is a big deal. It’s always a big deal, but he does it anyway.
And it only makes me love him more.
“You’re amazing, you know that?”
“Oh, darlin’,” he says, grabbing my waist and tugging me closer. “I’m nothing compared to you, and I plan to spend the rest of my days telling you so.” He rubs his nose against mine. “I love you, Odette Chambers.”
“And I love you too.”
The curse tickles the back of my mind, but I push it away.
I’m done letting it run my life. I want to live.
I want to be happy like I am now. I want late nights of watching cheesy TV shows.
I want Pork and Beans to have parents who adore them.
I want skating lessons, to drink cider, and to help keep this farm in line. I want Tootsie waking me up at dawn.
And I want it all with Noah Stevens.