The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

Xaden's POV.

For the next few days, Noelle lets me sit next to her at lunch. Little by little, she starts to warm up to me. She even agrees to let me drop her home every day after school.

She won't let me pick her up, but I enjoy our ten minutes together alone at the end of the day.

I want to spend as much time with her as possible. It isn't only because she's my mate, I also want to prove to her that I will be loyal. When I'm spending time with her, she knows that I'm behaving. The more time I spend with her, the more she can trust me.

As usual, we go to the diner on Friday. Our booth is ready and waiting for us. Noelle scans over the menu and I point out the best dishes that I've had.

We order and the conversation flows. Noelle relaxes around my friends. It helps that Grace is relatively new to our group and she takes Noelle under her wing a bit, making her feel welcome.

I make a joke and my mate actually laughs along with my friends. I'm bursting with pride for the rest of the meal.

I made my mate laugh.

I never thought I'd see the day where I'm acting whipped over a girl. It's always the other way round. I never usually care if I make a girl laugh or not. It's so different with Noelle, all I care about is seeing her happy.

When we return back to school, I ask Noelle for her number so that I can text her later with the details of our date.

It was too short notice to get into Olivier's, so I booked it for next week in the hopes that she'll agree to go on another date with me.

Instead, I managed to get us in at this bistro that's been in the town for like a hundred years. Generations of the same family have been running it and it's really well.

I drop Noelle off at her house and let her know that I will be back at six to pick her up.

It's torture going home and waiting for time to pass until I can go and see her again. I choose an outfit for my date and take a shower. I try and style my hair with some clay stuff, which I never normally do. I'm making an effort for her, and I want her to see that.

My phone buzzes and I get excited, hoping it's Noelle. My heart sinks as I see that it's from Shona, a girl I slept with a few months ago.

I shudder just thinking about it. I open the text to be able to access her contact. My eyes widen as I see the picture of her tits, pushed up to her chin by a silk bra.

Fucking hell. What was I thinking

I quickly go on to her contacts and select to block her number. Then, I go to my contacts page and spend the next ten minutes deleting every girls' number on my phone except family, Noelle's, Grace's and Rory's.

Unable to resist, I text my mate when I'm done.

I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Can't wait to see you.

I'll confess, I'm disappointed when she doesn't reply.

I drive over to her house five minutes early and park on the road outside. I give myself a mental pep—talk. I've got this, just be charming and smooth. You can flirt, Moretti, it's fine.

I hear the door open, and I look up. My mate is coming out of her house wearing a tight dress with a slit up the thigh.

Forget what I said about it being fine.

It's not fine.

SHE is fine.

Am I sweating I feel like I'm sweating…

Fumbling with the car door, I eventually get it open and practically fall onto the pavement.

'Noelle…holy…you look so amazing,' I blurt as she comes over.

She blushes and smiles. 'Thanks.'

I get the car door for her and help her in. Then I come round and get in, starting the engine.

'I'm sorry that I didn't reply to your text,' she says. 'I was having a bit of a panic about what to wear.'

That makes me feel better.

'That's okay. You look stunning, you made a good choice.'

She ducks her head to hide her blush. 'So, what's the food like at this place'

I tell her all about the long history of the bistro and their specialty dishes.

When I park up, I race around the car to open the door for her and help her out. Hoping it's not too forward, I place my hand on her lower back and guide her towards the bistro.

Soft music is playing when we walk in, complemented by the quiet chatter of the patrons. It's a sweet restaurant, with candles and a single rose on each table.

I state my name and we're shown to our table. The waiter hands us two menus and we start browsing.

'Wow, it all looks good,' Noelle comments. 'But I'm kind of craving beef.'

'I hope you're talking about the food not the drama,' I reply dryly, and she gives me a look over the menu.

'That was a bad joke.'

'It made you smile though,' I retort, and she can't argue with that.

'Are you ready to order' A feminine voice breaks through our choosing.

I look up and practically choke on air. Shona is stood in front of our table, holding a pad and pen in her hand. Her eyes narrow as she recognizes me.

'Oh, hey, Xaden,' she says with a grin. 'Did you get my…um…text, earlier'

I glance at Noelle in a panic. She is glaring at Shona, but quickly directs that energy to me.

I swallow hard and look back at Shona.

'Uh, no, I didn't. I blocked your number,' I tell her bluntly.

Shona looks shocked and blinks a couple of times.

'Why I thought we had fun together…'

Okay, I feel bad for being a dick to Shona, but she can clearly see that I'm on a date with Noelle.

She's human, so she doesn't know about mates, but still, it's obviously disrespectful to mention the nude she sent whilst I'm on a date.

'That was a long time ago, Shona. Anyway, I'm on a date,' I respond firmly, gesturing at Noelle, who looks completely unimpressed.

Shona looks Noelle up and down and then turns back to me.

'What is she Your girlfriend'

Noelle remains silent, but I can feel her eyes burning holes into the side of my face.

'Not yet, but I want her to be, and I'd prefer you not refer to Noelle as she, her name is Noelle. Could I politely request another waiter, please'

I am praying for this dreaded moment to end.

I hope Noelle isn't too mad.

I handled that the right way Right

Shona scoffs. 'Of course, enjoy your night,' she says in a bitter way that tells me she doesn't mean that one bit.

As soon as she's gone, I glance at Noelle.

'I am so sorry about her. It was a one—time thing, months ago.'

Noelle stares at me for a moment, her expression unreadable. 'What did she text you'

I swallow the lump in throat. Fuck, my hands are sweating.

'A picture. I blocked her as soon as it comes through,' I reply hurriedly. I pull my phone from my pocket, unlock it and open the contacts app. 'Look, you can see that I've blocked every girl on my phone.'

I scroll through the contacts as Noelle watches, unimpressed.

'I blocked them all, it's only you that I want, I swear it.'

She's silent for another minute. The longest minute of my life.

Then, she sighs. 'I'm going to order the steak with tarragon. Is that a good choice, do you think'

I let out a sigh of relief. Disaster avoided.

The rest of the evening goes without a hiccup. We have a great meal, and, with a different waiter, Noelle relaxes around me. We talk and get to find out about each other.

I still don't ask why she moved packs. The opportunity for her to elaborate comes up several times, but she never takes them, making me think that it was for a personal reason. She obviously doesn't feel ready to share that reason with me yet, and I'm not going to push her.

She'll tell me when she's ready.

I insist on paying for dinner. I drive her home and walk her to her front door with my hands in my pockets.

I want nothing more than to lean in and kiss her, but I restrain myself. She doesn't want me yet.

'I had an amazing evening. Can we do it again, next week'

Noelle nods shyly. 'So did I. I'd like that.'

'Great,' I respond, grinning at her. 'Goodnight, Noelle.'

I give her an awkward wave and then start towards the path.

'Night, Xaden,' she replies quietly.

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