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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
NOAH
She’s not here yet. But she’s on her way.
Things fell into place at the office. I’d been waiting on a call from my sister, Sarah, who’s out of the country. We’re kicking around expanding overseas, and she offered to fly over and do the research. So, we let her. Why not? Anyway, Sarah is notorious for checking in late, so I allowed her the extra time. To my surprise, she called five minutes early. And she had already talked to Mom and Dad. Will wonders never cease?
So, that’s how I was able to leave work sooner than expected. Now I wish I hadn’t texted Amber. Or arrived at the party so early. Now I’m avoiding my mother because she’s questioning whether I really have a date. “Poor Noah.”
I stroll to the lobby and shimmy a Hera armchair just right so I can sit and stare out the massive row of windows. We’ve owned this three-hundred-room hotel for ten years, and I love it. We’re proud of it. Took a lot of work to bring it up to 5-star status, but we did it. Good for us.
My car pulls up, and a valet lets Amber out. She’s gorgeous in her new attire.
I push out of my chair and meet her at the entrance.
Her eyes grow big. “You’re here?”
“Finished early.” I hug her. “You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
I step away and look her over. Stunning. Wouldn’t mind taking her up to the honeymoon suite and doing what honeymooners do.
“These earrings are something.” Amber caresses her right earlobe. Wriggles her wrist. “So is the bracelet.”
“They belonged to my grandmother.”
Her smile grows stiff, and she grapples to undo the bracelet. “I can’t accept this.”
I grab her hands. “That’s all right. Grandmother would agree. The jewelry looks perfect on you.”
Her head tilts slightly. “Why do you have the jewelry?”
“That’s a question for the ages. Grandmother left them to me, and nobody knows why. Doesn’t matter anymore because they’re yours.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
She embraces me. Her hair smells of lavender. I like lavender.
“There you are,” a voice rings out. “I was wondering where you ran off to.”
It’s my younger brother, Rob, who can be a burr under any blanket. He saunters up to Amber and scans her from head to toe. “Aren’t you a lovely sight? Care to have dinner?”
“Knock it off,” I tell him.
“Why? She’s obviously too good for you.”
Amber plays with her bracelet and glances at a chandelier.
“Don’t, Rob, you’re making her uncomfortable.” I touch Amber’s arm. “My brother Rob. Rob, Amber.”
“A pleasure.” He snatches her hand. Kisses the back of it, strokes it, gives her a long, lingering look.
If he weren’t my brother and I didn’t understand what he was doing, I’d sucker-punch him and leave him flopping on the floor like a fish on dry land.
“Knock it off, Rob.” I sound like a parrot.
