#Chapter 254: A Dollar Short

Hannah Years ago… The sun beat down mercilessly, the smell of hot pavement and summer flowers filling the air. I stood in front of the ice cream stand, counting the crumpled bills in my hand with growing dismay. “Oh, damn…” I muttered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “I’m a dollar short…” Suddenly, I felt a familiar presence lean over me. I recognized the smell of his cologne immediately, mixed with the scent of sweet sweat and salt water on his skin. “N-Noah!” I exclaimed, surprised—and wholeheartedly trying not to blush at the fact that he was shirtless, wearing only his swimming trunks and a pair of sandals, his dark hair still damp from swimming in the ocean. “I didn’t know you were here.” “Buying ice cream?” He plucked the cash from my palm and counted it, his brow furrowing. “You’re a dollar short.” “I know.” I took my money back and pocketed it, turning to the ice cream vendor. “Sorry, mister. I didn’t mean to waste your time—”