Chapter 8 — Crash Into Noah — Literally
735 Words
Arielle told herself she was only going to Frost & Fiction to “browse.”
Not to see Noah.
Not because her magic had reacted to him.
Not because the Rule of Romance terrified her into needing answers.
She just needed a distraction.
That was all.
With the red envelope tucked deep inside her coat, she pushed open the bookstore café door—
And immediately slipped.
Her boot caught on a patch of melted snow, her arms flailed wildly, and her brain had just enough time to scream, Not again—!
Before she crashed into something solid.
Warm.
And smelling faintly like coffee and pine.
Someone’s arms wrapped around her waist, steadying her before she kissed the floor.
A deep voice murmured near her ear, “Easy there. I’ve got you.”
Arielle froze.
Noah Frost.
Of course.
She was pressed against his chest, her fingers gripping the front of his sweater like her life depended on it. If her mortifying luck had a sense of humor, this was exactly the kind of moment it lived for.
Her face flamed. “I—I swear I don’t usually fall into people.”
Noah’s breath brushed her cheek as he smiled. “Actually… you do.”
She blinked. “What?”
He tilted his head. “You fell into me last week too. You were trying to carry a box of tinsel bigger than you.”
Arielle let out a strangled noise. “Oh my god. Please delete that memory.”
“No can do,” he teased.
She scrambled upright, smoothing her hair and dignity. Or what was left of it.
Noah didn’t step away. Not entirely.
His hand lingered on her arm long enough for her skin to tingle—
And the bookstore lights above them, normally soft and warm, suddenly brightened.
Calmly.
Smoothly.
No flicker.
No spark.
No short-circuiting, which was her usual brand.
Arielle stiffened.
Magic.
It was happening again.
Noah didn’t seem to notice. “You okay?”
“Me? Oh. Yes. Fine. Perfect. Nothing magical or strange happening here.”
Her voice cracked like a faulty speaker.
His brows lifted. “That was a suspicious sentence.”
She coughed. “How’s your… bookstore? Books… booking?”
He laughed, a low, warm sound that wrapped around her like a scarf. “You’re something else, Arielle North.”
His words made her heart stutter—and the lights above them glowed brighter, pulsing once in time with the sudden flutter in her chest.
Arielle panicked internally.
Stop reacting, magic. He’s just a person. Not a catalyst. Not fate. Calm down—
“Arielle?”
She blinked up at him.
“You look pale. Are you sure you’re okay?”
Not even a little.
But she nodded anyway. “Just… holiday stress.”
His expression softened. “Then let me help. Hot chocolate? On the house.”
Her heart squeezed. “You don’t have to—”
“I want to.”
Pulse.
The lights brightened again.
Arielle flinched. “Um. Do your lights always—”
“Do that?” Noah followed her gaze. “Actually… no.”
He frowned.
“They’ve been glitching for weeks. Today’s the first time they’re behaving.”
Arielle’s stomach dropped.
“Behaving,” she echoed weakly.
“Yes,” Noah said, eyes still on her. “But only since you walked in.”
Her breath froze.
The rule of romance echoed in her mind:
Magic awakens with love.
Magic responds to the heart.
She scrambled for a logical explanation. “Maybe the wiring just… stabilized?”
Noah chuckled. “You believe that?”
“No,” she admitted in a small voice.
A silence settled—warm, complicated, charged.
Finally he cleared his throat. “Come on. Let’s get you that hot chocolate before you fall into anything else.”
“Rude, but fair,” she muttered.
As they walked toward the counter, Arielle swore the red envelope inside her coat pocket throbbed faintly with heat.
Calling.
Reacting.
Recognizing him.
And deep, deep down…
so did her heart.
Noah glanced at her again, his smile soft. “You know, I’m glad you came in today.”
Arielle felt her pulse trip.
She didn’t know it yet—
But this moment?
The fall, the touch, the lights breathing with warmth?
It wasn’t an accident.
It was the magic choosing him.
And it had only just begun.
- Writer
