Free Touch by Sarah White Page B

we’re still friends when it happens so I can happily tell him I told him so.
     

Chapter 16
     
    Noah              
    I thought that playful Leah was my favorite, but now focused Leah has stolen my heart. I love the way she is taking my dissertation so seriously and how hopeful she looks every time the couple on the video touches. I already know how their story ends; Leah will be disappointed when they decide to go their separate ways at the end of the fifth session. I’m following along on my own sheet of paper, but to be honest my attention is more focused on this new assistant of mine than on the video. Luckily, I know this session like the back of my hand.
                  When the video is over Leah hands me her coding sheet with a very cute smile and I compare our notes. We are perfectly in sync, but somehow I already knew we would be. I’m not sure what it means, but I do know that it threatens to break down a wall I have built to keep my heart safe.
                  “It’s perfect,” I finally say as I tuck our sheets back into the manila folder on the table. I hit eject on the DVD player and Leah stands up and stretches her legs. “I think you can do them on your own now. I’ll spot check a few here and there to make sure you’re coding in a way that’s consistent with the other assistants. For now, though, how about we get out of here and get some ice cream?”                           
    “That sounds great!”
    We quickly get ready and head out into the night for the short walk to the ice cream parlor. As we pass Dragon, Jason emerges, loaded down with another order.
    “Hey Noah,” he says. His eyes take Leah in and a knowing smile curves his lips. “This your friend?”
    “Yes. This is Leah. Leah, this is Jason.” Leah smiles at him and gives him a little wave.
    “Nice to meet you, Jason. That was the best take-out I’ve ever had.”
    “Thank you. It’s my parents’ restaurant. I just do the heavy lifting.” He raises the bags to prove his point. “I’d better go before the food gets cold. See you soon.” Hurrying past us, he climbs into his Prius and pulls away from the curb.
    “He seems nice,” Leah says as we reach the ice cream shop. The bell above the door sounds and a young worker comes out from the back room. We order our cones and take a seat at one of the tables inside.
    “Jason’s a cool guy. When he isn’t rushing out to another delivery he sometimes stops to watch a few minutes of whatever game is on. His parents are very traditional. I think he enjoys getting out and having a little freedom.”
    “What do you mean by ‘traditional’?” Leah captures a drop of melted ice cream from the side of her cone with her tongue. I thought being close to her in the apartment was intense, but I hadn’t even considered what it might be like to watch her licking an ice cream.
    I clear my throat and try hard to focus on our conversation. “They want him to work hard and spend all his free time studying. He doesn’t get much say in what he wants to do with his life.”
    “How is that even possible? He’s an adult.”
    “It’s not like he’s a prisoner or anything; he just believes his parents know best. They have a lot invested in his future since he’s their only child. When he talks about them it’s never with anything but appreciation.” I take another lick, trying to keep the drips under control.
    “Does he ever get to go out? Date? Anything?”
    I chuckle and wipe my mouth with a napkin. “Yes, he goes out. He dates, but it’s a girl that his parents have pretty much chosen for him.” Her eyes widen with disbelief. I shrug my shoulders.
    “He’s happy with the woman they chose. Her family and his have known each other a long time and they believe their children will be content and successful together. They attend the same church, their families come from the same area, and they’re at the age where