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“It.” Noah sighed, knowing he couldn’t avoid telling his friend. “Didn’t go as planned.”
“That’s harsh. You guys seemed fine at the shop.”
“Yeah, we’re good.” We’re at a standstill.
“But she said no, I’m assuming.”
“She did. Everyone’s given up on her in one form or another. I won’t be another added to the pile.” He refused, even if he wanted to shake her to make her realize that he wasn’t everyone else. Noah turned his mindset from frustration to drive, knowing he would have to prove his intent to her, by action instead of words.
“She’s got a funny way of showing it,” Wes grumbled, his jaw clenched, and Noah knew he was biting his tongue for his friend's sake.
“I know.”
“Aren’t you tired of the back and forth?”
Noah chuckled and shook his head. “I work eighty hours a week at the shop and another twenty-plus here at the club, that makes me tired. Being with Lex is,” Noah paused, looking down into the glass in his hand before continuing, “hard, painful, and admittedly frustrating sometimes.”
Noah raised his hand, shaking it before Wes could open his mouth to speak. “She’s the other half of my soul.” The corners of his mouth turned up, and he rumb led , “I’ve never felt anything like the love I have for her. She’s the one, she’s my one. Lex thinks she’s broken, damaged, and unworthy of love. Like she’s waiting for something.”
Pausing his words, Noah looked over at Nolan with Mia on his lap cuddled up on an oversize red leather couch. Lexi was sitting across from them, animatedly talking to Mia and Melody, most likely about the wedding at the Sampson house.
“That’s not what I see. I see a woman who has clawed her way back from things most people would have crumbled under. She’s a devoted friend and has the deepest, kindest heart I know. She’s what dancing in the rain feels like. There’s no world where I exist where she is not.”
“You’ve got it bad.”
“Two years ago when she walked into the shop, I was sunk.”
“She turned you down. Doesn’t that make you think otherwise?”
“Nope, only causes more determination.” He downed the rest of his drink, patted Wes’ shoulder, and headed over to the crowded booth.
***
“Okay, so we’ve got the dishes coming in later in the week, four sets of maroon tablecloths with black and pearl silverware rings,” Lexi rattled off to Mia. They were brainstorming ideas for flowers and other tiny details.
There was no detail too small that didn’t need to be perfect.
“I need the flutes for the desserts. Did she figure out what she wanted?”
“Summer berries and lemon is what was decided on.”
“Perfect, parfait’s it is.”
“Please do the lemon cake, the one with raspberries,” Nolan spoke up. “Courtney hasn’t shut up about that damn cake since Mia made them. You two have been too busy for fun time . Hell, dinner has become pizza and water balloons.”
“Zander isn’t complaining.”
“Yeah, it’s not his rose bushes covered in balloon parts.”
“We’ll get some forensic tape and call in the crime lab.” Lexi ducked the napkin that Mia tossed her way. She stuck her tongue out and reached for a cherry. She popped it in her mouth with a grin.
“I won’t complain as long as you get Penny to sleep through the night.”
Lexi laughed, leaning back in the booth and examining her best friend curled on the lap of her husband-to-be. The love and joy they radiated could be seen from across the room. Sitting across from them was blinding.
As she took another cherry from the bowl, Lexi's mind drifted to thoughts of her own relationship. The thought of becoming Mrs. Noah Hayes filled her with entirely way too many emotions to pinpoint, the beacon was the knot of anxiety that grew. She was conflicted and shut down on the subject.
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling a pang of regret for her recent behavior. Not for the way she felt, but that her honesty hurt someone she loved.
