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She shook her head. “This is crazy.”
“Maybe.”
She placed her hand in his and with a soft brush of his lips to her cheek, he turned and led her to the car.
As if floating on air, she followed, her mind trying to shift gears from a quick getaway with her sister to a quick getaway with Wes and Holly and…
“Hey, Noelle,” Jeff said as she ducked into the back seat of the car.
So. A double date type of getaway. Things were beginning to fall into place.
Wes got in after her, taking the seat beside her. The back of the Town Car was designed more like a limo with seats facing one another. Jeff and Holly sat across from them.
Wilson handed a bundle of roses over the front seat to Jeff and Wes who then placed them in Noelle’s and Holly’s arms.
“Oh my gosh! You two are the best!” Holly all but jumped into Jeff’s lap, kissing and hugging him.
He leaned back laughing. “As much as I love this response, I have rose thorns digging into my chest.”
Holly sat back and cradled the flowers once more, now a bit more mushed than they’d been a minute ago. “Sorry!” Noelle could tell her sister’s apology was halfhearted. She was sorry she’d mushed the flowers, but was for sure not sorry she’d gotten kisses out of it.
Noelle avoided Wes’s eyes. Holly’s public display of affection made her even more aware of Wes’s presence beside her and how much she’d like to hop in his lap and thank him with kisses as well.
“I wasn’t sure what your favorite color was so I went with Fire and Ice roses,” Wes whispered to her.
Noelle looked at the flowers in her lap. The petals where white at the bottom with red on the tips. Each one flawless, they were beyond beautiful.
“They reminded me of Christmas.”
“They’re gorgeous.” Looking at him now, and thankful for a reason to not continue watching her sister and Jeff snuggle as Wilson drove them down Main Street toward wherever they were going, Noelle had to grin at the boyish look on his face. He must’ve given countless women flowers in his lifetime, and yet at that moment he looked like a school kid hoping the girl he asked to prom liked the bouquet he’d chosen. “Truly. They’re breathtaking. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His smile did funny things to her insides and had her considering once more hopping in his lap and thanking him with kisses, especially when his eyes wandered to her mouth.
Did he want to kiss her as well? It was obvious they enjoyed each other’s company, but it was also obvious that a relationship between them wasn’t the best idea. She’d just settled into Marietta, into a new world. One she liked. How Wes St. Claire could fit into all of it, she had yet to figure out.
“So, are you ladies ready for a fun-filled thirty hours or so?” Jeff asked.
“Yes!” Holly answered.
“Well, I might have a more accurate answer if I knew where we were going or what we are doing.” All she was aware of at this point was that Wes and Jeff were involved in the getaway beyond her and Holly, but that was all. There were many more details missing.
“Your sister said you like surprises. I thought it might be fun to give you a surprise trip. To thank you for all you’re doing for me, helping me with the Bake-Off and all.”
Ah, and there it was. He wasn’t interested in her. He was being nice. Thanking her for all her help. As friends. A part of her heart sank. She’d been reading too much into things. Him bringing them dinner at the studio, this grand gesture of a trip. In his world, those were most likely typical thank-yous.
As her heart adjusted to being friend zoned, she managed a smile. “This is really too big of a thank-you. It’s just one friend helping another with something.” He seemed to buy her attempt to shrug it off; her true feelings were masked well. She buried her face in the flowers, pretending to be enthralled with their beauty and letting their scent take precedence in her senses over his cologne that made her want to snuggle in close and never leave.
“You’ve been working so hard, Noey.” Holly leaned forward in her seat toward Noelle. “Wes called and asked me if I thought this was a good idea. Franchesca and I and the other teachers at the studio got things covered for you. Franchesca even said she’d disown you as a friend if you didn’t go.”
Noelle had to smile at that. It wasn’t a hollow threat either. Franchesca meant everything she said.
“We’ll be gone for just over a day’s time. I wouldn’t have moved forward with the surprise if your family and friends hadn’t approved.” Wes looked at her, needing reassurance he hadn’t done something she’d be upset about.
Although he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, he’d gone to a lot of trouble to thank her. The last thing she wanted was to seem ungrateful.
“You thought of everything. I can’t thank you enough. It sounds wonderful. Whatever you have planned, I’m sure I’ll love it.” He rested his hand beside her on the seat. Part of her wanted to reach out, touch him. But she smiled at him instead. She meant every word. She was grateful to him. And if friendship was all he wanted, she could live with that. Her head said so, even as her heart fought the idea.
“I hope so.” He took her hand in his and kissed it.
