“What are you doing tonight?”
“Oh, uh, I promised a friend to take them to the shops. They don’t have a car.”
“A friend?” SweetPea cocked a thick eyebrow at me.
“An old buddy from school.” I cringed inwardly at calling Noah that.
My fake boyfriend slash winter husband. Well, not just for winter if this plan works.
“Ah cool. I was going to suggest a movie night with ….” Our chef cleared his throat.
“Hey you two. Movie night? I’m in.” Clara had just appeared in the staff room, and SweetPea’s face ignited as it always did. Gods, I hoped one day he’d get his head out of his ass and tell her that he liked her.
At around three I got another text from Noah.
Noah: How about we start on our fitness journey later?
Noah: Want to go on a run?
Shit, I’d forgotten about that.
Noah: come on, don’t chicken out, Sinclair
Lewis: You wish
Lewis: Alright, if you can bear to lose, Bright
Noah: we’ll see about that
I packed my console and the only pair of gym shorts I had, thanks to my brother, and a T-shirt into a backpack for the run. Then I put on my favourite faded Alphaforce merch shirt, paired it with the ratty jeans he’d liked so much on his first day back and set off to the Bright family farm.
“Hey, Puppy,” I greeted him when he climbed into the truck.
“Hi, Lew.” He leaned over the middle console and gave me a quick peck on the cheek that made my toes curl.
He’s got me wrapped around his finger.
The way Noah eye-fucked me when I drove us over to Dwarfoods gave my ego the boost I didn’t know it needed.
These jeans deserve a pay rise.
I strutted across the car park, grabbed a trolley, and followed him into the shop.
“Ollie brought me here a few days ago,” Noah blurted out when we were past the clothing department.
“Oh.” What was I supposed to say to that?
“There were a million people, I forgot half the things.” He rubbed a hand over his nape. “Being here with you is better.”
Shit, Noah. Stop it, or I’ll kiss you in Dwarfoods.
In the end, he didn’t need much, and we were out of the shop after less than twenty minutes.
“Are you sure you want to go for a run? It’s getting dark already,” I asked him when he came out of the bedroom in his yoga shorts and—oh fuck me—my hoodie on top.
Please have mercy on me and let’s just chill and game a bit. Maybe we can have a cuddle.
“Oh yeah, I’m sure. I have excellent eyes and aren’t cats supposed to see well in the dark?” He cocked an eyebrow at me and put his hands on his hips.
