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Ryan waved her hand disazed at Aria’s outfit, froe black dress to the high velvet shoes she’d bought in France years ago for this occasion "You look awesome, too" She turned to someone next to her "Doesn’t she?"

Aria flinched Noel had appeared by her side soundlessly He looked dapper in his tux, his pro as always," he said, like a good boyfriend

Was he a good boyfriend? Noel had said she looked beautiful at least twenty tiotten her the decor position, so she’d wanted He even stood by her when she acted like a freak, like she was doing right now

Or was it all a sha loop of thoughts It was possible that Noel knew Tabitha In his e-mail with Fuji, he’d called her a friend--or had he otten her necklace? Was that why he’d told Aria to stay away from Graham on the boat? Maybe Graham had known that Tabitha and Noel were friends, too Maybe Noel worried heto tell Aria atching her

And if Noel did know Tabitha, it meant he would have known her stepmother, Gayle, as well He could have had inside information on Emily’s secret baby He could have lurked around Gayle’s oldfor Hanna to return that cash, without see too suspicious-- Tabitha had borrowed before she disappeared He ht have kept in touch with Gayle after she and her husband moved to Rosewood--he would have knohere to find her And when Gayle saw Noel on the driveway the night Aria, Eone to her house in fear that Gayle had kidnapped Emily’s baby, he’d killed her before she could yell out his name and expose him

It could make sense Even Jamaica fit Aria hadn’t been with Noel every second of that trip--he could have snuck off and coached Tabitha about what she needed to do to freak out Aria and the others Get theht have said Get them on the roof, and push Hanna over

Only it hadn’t gone that way--they’d pushed Tabitha instead But did Noel have it in him to kill Tabitha? Was it the saht tell on hi this all for Ali? Did he really love her that much?

Aria shut her eyes No Noel didn’t love Ali Noel was a good person, innocent The pieces fit because she wanted the them that way, because even her friends had twisted and knotted and spun things into so that wasn’t true She had to believe that She had to give Noel one last chance to explain all of this

Ryan checked her Chanel watch, then slung her arm around their shoulders "Stay close, you two It’s al and queen in the cemetery"

Aria looked around "Where’s Hanna?" She’d hardly seen any of her friends all night

Noel peered around "I just saw Hanna and Mike leave a few o far"

"I’ll find the off into the crowd

When she flitted away, Noel turned to Aria "What do you say we get a drink in the bar across the lobby while ait? No one will tell on a pro" He winked

Aria licked her lips Your boyfriend wants to get a drink with you, she told herself He wants time alone with you Because he loves you

Suddenly, a figure appeared in her peripheral vision A wo quietly into a cell phone Agent Fuji What was she doing here?

She looked at Noel, o"

They crossed the lobby and entered a dark bar A bartender wiping down the surface with a cloth looked up "What can I get you?"

Noel asked for a whiskey, and Aria ordered a gireen eyes on her "Are you really okay?"

Aria sed hard Thankfully, the bartender chose that exactto do with her hands

"If you think I’, I’ve put it behind et it, Aria I really do"

"I still feel terrible about it," Aria said into her chest "I don’t knohat I was thinking"

"It’s okay," Noel said ee what I told you, though About Ali, I mean"

Aria flinched at the sound of her naave her wrist an e to do with her I hope you understand that--for real" He scooted the chair closer "You mean so much to me, Aria I can’t even explain how in love with you I aain--I would be devastated" His chin started to wobble "I ht even die No one else has ever made me feel that way You have to believe me"

Tears pricked Aria’s eyes Noel’s voice was thick with tears He was telling the truth She was sure of it

Noel started digging through his pocket "And actually, I have soht, and before Aria knew it he was fastening a gold chain-link bracelet around her wrist A tiny TIFFANY & CO label was embossed on the link closest to the clasp "I felt so bad about that other necklace I found for you on the cruise goingspecial at prom" Noel touched one of the links "You asked me why I was late to class the day they announced you were decor chairwo this up I had my dad’s art dealer find this for me in New York, and he was only in Philly for a few hours It’s vintage," he explained

"Oh ht "You shouldn’t have gotten this for me"