ALL ABOUT NOELLE DAY

The lunch crowd at the Driscoll Hotel restaurant on a Friday afternoon was not exactly hip and happening. Occupying the prime tables near the windows were a few middle-aged men in business suits, locked in quiet conversation as they pushed their steak frites around on their plates. In the center of the room, where everyone could see them and they wouldn’t be tarnished by the sun’s harmful rays, were a few tables full of little old ladies in pastel suits, their legs crossed at the ankles, their lipstick perfectly applied, and their hair sprayed to a shine. The maître d’ led me and Noelle to a corner table, tucking us away from the rest of the clientele, and I surreptitiously slid my phone out of my Chloé bag and placed it atop my thigh under the linen tablecloth.

When I looked up, I caught a glimpse of auburn hair and saw Paige and Daniel Ryan just getting up from a table a few settings away. She shot me a scathing look and my palms began to sweat. I just couldn’t get away from these people. I prayed they wouldn’t come over to say hello to Noelle, and said a silent thank-you when they both turned and headed for the door.

“Taking the day off from classes to squire me to the Driscoll and a secluded corner table?” Noelle said, arching an eyebrow at me as she opened her menu. “I hope you’re not planning to propose.”

I laughed and scanned the specials menu, then placed the huge folder on my appetizer plate. “No, nothing like that,” I said, lacing my fingers together atop the leatherbound menu. “I just . . . I’ve noticed you’ve been kind of down lately and I thought it’d be cool to take the afternoon off and hang out.”

Noelle shook her head, an amused smile lighting her eyes. “I have not been down.” She lifted her thick hair over her shoulders and reached for her water goblet. Somehow her strong arms already looked tan in her white sleeveless dress. At least, for once, she wasn’t wearing black. “I don’t do down.”

In my lap, my phone vibrated. The text read:

IN LOBBY, CMING 2 U!

“Where in the world did you come up with that theory, Glass-Licker?”

I smirked, wondering how she’d react if I told her Josh was the one who had noticed it. “Whatever. The point is, I have a little surprise for you.”

I turned and looked over my shoulder at the double oak doors, thrown open wide to the lobby.

“Oh, God. It’s not a stripper, is it?” Noelle said, leaning sideways to see past me. She brought her fingertips to her temples. “Please tell me it’s not some cheesy stripper.”

“Oh, it’s way better than that.”

Just then Kiran Hayes and Taylor Bell walked into the room, spotted us, and let out a collective, but tastefully understated, squeal. Kiran grabbed Taylor’s hand and they rushed over to us in their high heels, catching curious and lustful glances from the men at the window tables. Kiran, at almost six feet tall, cut a stunning figure in a skintight royal blue dress and black heels, her short, dark hair tucked behind her ears. Taylor’s blond curls hung loose around her face, and her red cap-sleeve dress was belted by a black ribbon, accentuating her curves. Noelle’s jaw dropped when she saw them, and she rose from her chair.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe it!” Noelle gasped.

That was when I knew for sure she was surprised. Blurting without thinking was not Noelle’s way. They all double-air-kissed, clutching hands and grinning as I got up to hug them hello.

“What’re you guys doing here?” Noelle asked.

I held my breath, hoping neither of them would mention that they’d flown in for the Billings ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow, and that I’d added this lunch to their itineraries at the last minute. I’d rather Noelle believe it was the other way around.

“We’re here for you, babe!” Kiran announced, giving Noelle a squeeze. Perfect answer.

“We have declared today All About Noelle Day!” Taylor added.

“Isn’t that every day?” Noelle joked.

All of us laughed and I found myself staring at Noelle’s smile. I hadn’t seen it in weeks. Possibly months. Not a real one, anyway. As we all sat down around the table and the maître d’ hurried over with two more menus, I couldn’t stop grinning. It felt just like old times.

But then I heard it again. That odd snicker I’d heard in the hall at school the other day. I quickly turned in my seat and, sure enough, two tables over, a girl with blond hair, wearing a light blue plaid dress, sat alone, whispering into her cell. My pulse thrummed in my veins as I stared at the back of her head, just willing her to turn, willing her to finally show herself. Then she put the phone down and lifted a finger, summoning her waiter. As she turned I felt as if I was going to black out from the tension, the strain, the anticipation. But then I saw her long nose and brown eyes and realized it wasn’t Ariana at all.

“Everything all right, Reed?” Taylor asked. “You look . . . sickly.”

“Everything’s fine,” I said, turning toward the table again and forcing a smile. I looked around at the three of them and tried to shake the last inklings of fear. “In fact, it couldn’t be better.”