Waiting for Midnight Read Free Page B

Kiera, but it was late and the whole night was now something she wanted to simply forget.
    ****
    Forget was such a strong word.
    By the next day, Maddie was feeling a little less pitiful.  Deciding no one would be overly friendly after falling off a ladder, she decided to give Noah the benefit of the doubt.  With a little pep in her step, she took off for the supermarket after deciding she would make him a meal as a way of apologizing for his getting hurt.  Once she had all of her ingredients, she went back home and began cooking. 
    She didn’t like to brag, but people had always complimented her cooking – particularly her chili.  It seemed like the perfect ‘guy’ meal; some chili, some corn bread and some brownies for dessert.  Back at home, she had everything cooking and was almost giddy at the thought of having an excuse to see Noah again, and maybe – just maybe – sharing a meal with him.
    Like a date.
    “Okay, get a grip,” she chided herself.  “Don’t get too carried away.” 
    Easier said than done. 
    By four o’clock, she had everything packed up in a cooler bag for easy transport and gave herself one final glance in the mirror. 
    “Hair and makeup?  Check,” she said, fluffing her long brown hair one last time.  “Skinny jeans?  Check.”  Smiling at how they made her butt look, she did a quick spin.  “A little bit of cleavage?  Check.”  Straightening the snug red t-shirt, she took a steadying breath and slowly let it out.  “Now or never, kiddo.  Let’s do this.”
    Five minutes later, she was standing at Noah’s door feeling a little like Red Riding Hood with a basket of goodies.  The thought made her giggle.  The door opened and Noah stood there looking like the Big Bad Wolf – a little tousled, a little grumpy – but sexy as hell.  With a smile, she held up the bag.
    “I made you dinner,” she said cheerily.
    Silence.
    “I know you said you were fine last night but I still felt bad about the whole thing and so as a way of saying thank you, I made you dinner.”
    Silence.
    “It’s nothing much,” she said quickly, “chili, corn bread, brownies…kind of my specialty.”  Looking up at him, Maddie noticed he hadn’t moved.  She wasn’t even sure if he’d blinked.  Everything in her deflated; she wasn’t wrong and she had stupidly gotten her hopes up again.
    All for nothing.
    “Anyway,” she stammered and held the bag out to him, “thanks.”
    Noah finally took the hint and took the bag from her hands.
    “I hope you feel better,” she said quietly and turned to walk away.
    “Um…do I…do I need to do anything with it?  You know, to heat it up?” he asked, sounding as uncomfortable as she felt.
    Without looking, she replied, “It’s all freshly made so it’s hot and it will stay that way for a while.  You can heat it up in the microwave when you’re ready.”
    Her hand was on her doorknob when Noah spoke again.  “So…um…do you want to come in?”
    Mentally, she rolled her eyes.  Now ?  He decides to ask her that after she was practically walking through her own door?  Turning, she looked at him and gave him a weak smile.  Part of her wanted to say yes and skip back over to him, but she knew it would be pointless. 
    Message received.
    Not interested.
    “Thanks, but…I’m sure you’d rather go back inside and rest.”  The words were barely out and she felt overwhelmed with sadness.  With the door open, she looked back at him one more time.  “Have a good night.”
    Once she was inside with the door closed, Maddie sagged against it; the need to cry nearly overwhelming her.  She took a couple of breaths and was ready to move when there was a loud knock behind her – loud enough that she physically jumped.  It wasn’t hard to imagine who it was and she wished she had stuck to her original plan to give up and move on.
    After a second round of knocking, Maddie sighed and opened the door.
    And wished the sight of Noah