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I don’t give him a chance to answer, pinching her arm until we’re at the bar.
“Ow!” She scowls, yanking her arm away from me. “You’re hurting me, Kate!”
“What were you thinking, bringing Noah?” I yell, exasperated.
Still rubbing her arm, she lets out a huff. “I was thinking, wouldn’t it be fun?”
“Fun?”
The bartender serves us straight away. I order an expensive bottle of champagne and bourbons for the men. “Charlie, Noah and I are… not really friends anymore.”
“Look, Kate. To be honest, Noah needed some time to think, and I thought this would be great. You know my opinion on what happened years ago. He’s not in a good place right now, and I’m worried, okay?”
When it comes to Noah’s personal life, I told Charlie to refrain from telling me anything. As far as I’m concerned, he and Morgan are starting a family. He loves her, and marriage was imminent. The less I know, the better.
But, of course, Eric opened his big fat mouth to me a few months back during one of his drunken late-night rants. According to him, Noah and Morgan are separated, though he doesn’t know the details as to why. I don’t pry, nor question Charlie or anyone else. If Noah needs me as a so-called friend, there’s ample opportunity to reach out. Despite what happened to us, I’d never push him away if he needed me. However, I don’t want to be caught in the crossfire knowing all too well my presence in Noah’s life way back when is an issue for Morgan.
The tray of drinks is served, but I pull Charlie to stop before we take it back.
“What’s going on?” I finally cave, exhaling before continuing. “Is this serious? Is he sick?”
“It’s not my place to share his problems. Just be his friend, Kate. That’s all he needs right now.
With every step back toward the table, Charlie’s words echo inside my head. Being a ‘friend’ to Noah is more complicated than I care to admit to her and me. The last time I got attached, the flame reached me in the end and burned me, leaving a prominent scar I’d covered up until tonight.
Charlie slides into her chair, leaning closer to Lex as the two of them kiss. I shift my gaze in the opposite direction before deciding to drink some more. Noah sits in silence, staring at the main arena with a glazed expression. I’m drawn to the way he barely blinks, almost like he’s in a catatonic state. Indeed, if he were sick, Charlie would’ve told me the truth. But then again, what if he’s terminally ill? He is looking awfully thin. Jesus Christ, no, let it be something else.
“We’re going to go dance for a bit,” Charlie yells over the music. “You guys want to come?”
I shake my head. “I need to find a client. He’s supposed to be here with his wife. I’ll join you guys later.”
Charlie frowns but only momentarily before Lex pulls her away and out of sight.
I pour myself another glass, desperately wanting to ease the nerves. I have no idea why I’m nervous, but perhaps my heart getting bruised the last time we were close would be a good indication of why I’m on edge.
“So…” I mumble, running my fingers on the edge of the glass.
“So…”
I let out a sigh, unsure how to act around him. So much has changed in our lives, chances are we aren’t the same people we were years ago.
The music softens, an intermission, though less disco-like beats still played in the background.
“How’s work been?”
“Busy but the same, really,” he replies casually. “Not as challenging anymore, and I’ve found my foot in the publishing industry.”
“Good. I know you were concerned about learning the ropes.”
“That was three years ago,” Noah reminds me.
“Right.”
The awkward silence raises its ugly head again. Why did it have to be so damn hard? This is the same man you got arrested with while naked on a beach in Malibu. The two of us sat inside a jail cell waiting for Charlie to bail us out. It wasn’t our finest moment. Add to that, he’d seen me at my worst, crying over a man who had treated me like yesterday’s trash.
The reminder of Dominic and his desperate pleas come racing to the forefront of my mind. What would Noah think if he knew the truth? The idea itself is ridiculous. There’s no reason why Noah should find out. As long as I keep my mouth shut, the secret will be safe with me.
But Noah is the man I once poured my heart and soul out to. He knows me better than I knew myself.
