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She blinked as if breaking a spell. “Wes, I didn’t tell you for you to… I don’t know. I just didn’t want to have you go back to New York without me being open about everything and…”
“So how are things going today in the baking cave?” Daniel St. Claire’s deep voice boomed through the kitchen as he entered. It took every ounce of self-control for Wes to not roll his eyes at his father.
Noelle stood from the barstool, grabbed her mug, and all but ran for the sink like a lovestruck teenager who’d been caught making out with her boyfriend at his parents’ house. Which wasn’t all that far from accurate, but he hoped the lovestruck part was true anyway.
“Hello, Mr. St. Claire. We were just getting things going.” Noelle scrubbed the inside of her coffee mug then placed it in the dishwasher.
They were just getting things going, Wes thought. Before his father so rudely interrupted.
“Please, call me Daniel.”
Noelle nodded but didn’t say anything. She put an apron on that Glenna had left on the counter and handed Wes one for him. Right. Baking. Damn it. As much as he wanted to spend that time with Noelle, he was itching to talk to his dad and get in his office where he could figure out what the hell was going on with Spellman. Noelle was taking the news like a champ, already scheduling a planning session with Franchesca, but if Wes had anything to say about it, her plans would include a happily ever after right where she was.
He could still see doubt in her eyes. Saying he loved her had helped weaken the wall she’d put up, but she still thought he’d return to New York. He said he’d live there. Wanted to be with her. But words weren’t enough. Now was the time for that grand gesture his dad had been talking about earlier.
“I’ll leave you two to it.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
His dad left the room, his footsteps echoing in the large hallway.
“I’ll be right back,” Wes said to Noelle before following his dad.
“Hey, Dad.” Wes caught up to his father who turned to face him.
“Sorry about that, son. I should’ve known you could be doing…” he cleared his throat “…more than baking. I apologize.”
Wes blinked and shook his head. Now it was his turn to feel eighteen again. “Dad. No. It’s fine. I wanted to ask if we could talk this afternoon, after Noelle goes home. There’s a new development in the Spellman deal you should know about.”
“Oh?” Daniel St. Claire’s demeanor went from father to businessman in a blink. “Is there a problem?”
“You could say that. I’ll give you details later.”
“Fine. Come find me when you’re available to talk.”
“Thanks.”
His father nodded then turned and walked away.
Wes came back into the kitchen. Music was playing from Noelle’s phone that sat on the counter, someone singing about being high on love. As her hips swayed to the tune, her back to him and unaware he was watching, he stood and drank in the sight of her. He wanted nothing more than a life here in Marietta with her and if he played his cards right, after this last Bake-Off, his chances were high. Sky high.
Chapter Twenty-One
Noelle looked outthe window of the Java Café. She and Franchesca were meeting for breakfast there to talk about what to do when Spellman went through with his plans.
Holly sat beside her. Noelle had asked her to join them, wanting her sister’s input on the whole situation. Whatever happened affected her as well. And she claimed some responsibility for the whole thing since she’d convinced Noelle to come to Marietta in the first place. Which was absurd, of course. There was no way Holly could have known something like this would happen. But Noelle always appreciated her sister’s input and was grateful for her support.
“I still can’t figure out why you haven’t jumped into his arms yet and ridden off into the sunset.”
“As lovely as that is in the movies, Holl, it’s not real life.”
“Meh. It could be if you’d get your head on straight.” Her sister lifted her coffee mug to her lips and took a sip.
“My head is fine. I never said I didn’t want things to work out between us, but he may still go back to New York.” She shrugged. The argument was flimsy and she knew it.
“Nice try. What are you really afraid of? What’s holding you back, Noey?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I want to prove that I’m independent and strong. And Wes likes to run things. Swoop in and save the day.”
