Chapter Six
CALEB
I feel his presence as soon as Noah comes back to join us. I watch him as he stares at Jessica, my gaze drifting to her and taking in her alluring aura as she talks to Lily and Avery. Her smile is wide. She lights up a room without even realising it. Her honey-blonde hair is in soft waves, her eyes a vibrant blue under the restaurant’s lighting. After careful consideration, she opted for ambient lighting, which I think was a good choice; that way it can cater throughout the day.
There’s both private dining and private function rooms downstairs for larger parties or more intimate dining. The main restaurant upstairs is accessible, which also caters to families, which is something Jessica was adamant about, inclusivity. It’s subjective, and not everyone has the same opinion regarding allowing children after certain hours, which is why she opted for the downstairs dining area and private rooms—this way, it caters to everyone.
My attention returns to Noah as he watches her, his expression pensive. His hazel eyes appear darker against his sun-kissed skin and light brown hair.
I don’t know what it is, but something is troubling him, yet I don’t want to push, least of all today. I’ll leave it for now. I’d like to think that whatever is bothering him, he’ll talk to us when he’s ready. Maybe he’s overwhelmed. A lot has happened in the past couple of years. Our relationship with Jessica, us all moving home, adopting Aspen. It’s happened so fast but yet feels like no time at all.
It’s a terrifying thought being in love and being loved in return, giving over my heart and soul for Noah and Jessica to take care of in the hopes they won’t obliterate it, and yet I wouldn’t have it any other way, not now—not ever.
There is no limit to where they are concerned, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for either of them.
Mason joins me, muttering something under his breath and drawing my attention away from Noah.
“Pardon, what was that?” I ask him.
His attention is firmly fixed on Avery, who is flirting with Aaron.
I elbow him in the ribs when he doesn’t acknowledge my comment.
“What the fuck?” he asks, turning to me.
I raise an eyebrow and keep my voice down when I reply, “What the fuck, exactly? Why do you look like you’re about ready to kill my accountant?”
He scoffs at that. “A fucking bean counter, of course.”
I shake my head. “Says the man with a photographic memory who can do math in the blink of an eye.”
Mason is one of the smartest bastards I know.
He just shrugs.
“Come on, you clearly have a hard-on for her,” I say, bringing the rim of my glass to my lips to hide my grin.
He gives Aaron a look of utter contempt, gritting his jaw and finally turning his back on Avery. I also note how he hasn’t even tried to deny it.
“Seriously though, man, is that going to be a problem?” I ask, all jokes aside. “Because I won’t have anything upsetting Jessica.”
Mason leans on his elbow, his biceps flexing as he tilts his head towards me.
“It’s cool. I’d never do anything to upset my sister. I put up with you, don’t I?”
I smirk at that. “And because you love me, and you know it,” I retort.
This time, his lips curl into a smile. “Yeah, I do, but like I said before, if you ever hurt her, I won’t hesitate to make sure you become very well acquainted with the dentist.”
I raise a brow. “I can take you.”
Mason throws his head back with a laugh, causing a few others to look our way, including Avery, but she quickly dismisses him and returns to her conversation with Aaron.
Truth is, he would very well hand me my arse. Yeah, I work out, and I know how to fight, but I swear Mason is built like a brick shit house.
“If you say so.”
He nods. “You just name the time and place,” he replies as he reaches for a glass of orange juice.
