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.