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He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Hookups are over too fast, and I don’t share.” His gaze raked over my bare shoulder where my sweater had fallen down. “If I’m with someone, she’s the only one I’m thinking about, and I’m sure as hell going to be the only one in her bed.”
I swallowed hard, suddenly overheated in the warm bar. “Why did you text me today? Whyme?”
Noah’s jaw ticked, and I thought he might call off our little game. I expected a pickup line, Noah-style—something intense and sexy—but he surprised me again.
“I wasn’t in a good place, and you make me feel better.”
My brows drew together, and I reached for him. “What happened?”
He flipped his hand to cradle mine, staring down at my palm. “My uncle called and reminded me why I value my friendships here so much, especially your brother’s.”
I didn’t understand the association. “What does that mean?”
“D never made his friendship feel transactional. He and Soren, Mac, Shaw—they all accepted me as is without trying to fix me or wanting something from me in return. I haven’t had a lot of that in my life.”
My heart hurt for the younger Noah. “There’s nothing about you I would change.”
“I know, but my uncle would disagree.”
The pizza arrived, and I stared up at the server for a long second. I’d forgotten we weren’t alone. The entire room had shrunk to this one table with Noah’s hand under mine and his eyes on me.
He leaned back, severing the connection so the guy could set the pizza between us. Seconds later, Mac arrived with Alex in tow. I exchanged hellos with the other guys, but my mind was on Noah’s revelation as I scalded my mouth with too hot pizza.
Patience was never one of my virtues, along with grace or self-control. I’d always relied on barging through situations with confidence and great shoes. As much as I wanted to firmly put Noah in the too bad, so sad category, I couldn’t do it.
I wanted to hear more about little Noah, and I wanted to do it after a sweaty night spent exploring every inch of his sculpted body. Old me would be horrified, but hadn’t I decided old me shouldn’t be in charge anymore?
You make me feel better… A warm glow took root in my chest and refused to go away. Noah may have started off as D’s friend, but he’d textedme.
The pizza didn’t last long with Mac at the table. He hyped Alex’s music project while the other man grinned. Alex seemed nice, a quiet guy with light brown hair, glasses, and an easy smile. Both Noah and Mac dwarfed him, but he was taller than me.
I loved hanging out with Mac because he was the only person I knew more likely to talk to a random stranger than I was. With him leading the conversation, I could focus on other things… like the subtle expressions crossing Noah’s face. I played a game with myself trying to read what was happening in his mind. A couple of times, he shifted his gaze to me, and I didn’t bother hiding my attention. He knew I was staring, and I didn’t care.
After the food disappeared, Alex pulled Mac away again with a wave, leaving Noah and me alone over an empty tray. I had things to do back at the apartment, so I couldn’t stay much longer, but I was hesitant to end the rare peek behind Noah’s walls.
“Do I still get free answers to all my questions?”
He shook his head with a half-smile. “Nope, round’s over.”
“What do you want for the next round?” Silence stretched like warm honey, heating my insides until I felt like I could breathe fire.
Noah tilted his head. “I’ll let you know when I decide.”
I nodded. If I didn’t leave now, I’d make a dangerous mistake, like offering myself as a trade. I grabbed my bag from the floor where Mac had put it and stood, slipping on my coat.
“Thanks for lunch. It was enlightening.”
“Do you need a ride? I can steal Mac’s car.”
The temptation to say yes—to invite him into my empty apartment and try my best to convince him casual could be fun—made me press my lips together. Bad decision. Even old me recognized the warning signs.
“No, Uber is surprisingly affordable here. Save your grand theft auto for an emergency.”
Noah walked me to the door. “I’ll pick you up at six for the dinner.”
“From across the hallway?” I teased.
He gave me a smile—a full, beautiful smile—and leaned in to brush his lips across my cheek. “Thanks for listening.”
