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Just then, Kate takes a look at Noah and she stops talking to a client. She wants Noah here, and their agreement is as little press as possible.
“Kate’s on it,” I add when she says something to the press and Noah is able to pull away from them. His eyes roam the room and land on me.
“I can tell he loves you very much, Ash,” she adds, turning back to me.
“And I love him. I really do.”
“It’s come on quick, right? Please know, I’m not judging.”
I have just enough time to answer before Noah reaches us.
“Sometimes when it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”
“We’ll talk later, yeah?” she asks, and how can I say no? Even though I so desperately want to.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Noah steps into my space, reaching for his mother, placing a kiss on her cheek.
“Hey Mom.” She pulls him into a hug.
“I love these, Noah. Your sketches are a depiction of true love.”
She brushes a tear from her eyes. Liam approaches his mom from behind, where we can see him, but Evelyn can’t. “Mom, you emotional already?” he asks.
She turns and playfully smacks him. “Of course, I am. Look at what your brother created. Same thing when you beat the record in yards received in college. A mother’s love can never be contained.”
The last sentence she says more to me than anyone. It’s weird, but then again, everything about Evelyn is weird.
“Ashton, son, how are you doing?” Carl James appears out of nowhere, and with his words, Evelyn visibly blanches. “Noah, I’ve always been proud of you, but this is a whole new level, son. It’s all so amazing.”
I take a quick look at all the people; the press is taking pictures of Noah interacting with us.
Noah seems to notice as well. “Hey guys, I’m about done here. You know me, but can you give me a second with Ash, and then we can leave.”
“We’ll meet you at the restaurant. I’ll send you the address, sweetheart,” his mother imparts.
His hand lands on the small of my back, and he escorts me through the many pictures. “All of these are for sale tonight, baby, but if you want any of them, and I meananyof them, I need to know.”
“I’m not taking money from you, Noah.”
His fingers dance up my neck, and to my chin. “Youcanand youwill. Anyway, you can pay me back in a different way, honey.”
I want to keep a few. I’d be lying if I claimed any different. “Could I have the one of my mom, Tia, and me around the table. I’d like it to be a gift for her, honestly.”
“And what else?” I search the walls, and each time I find one, there’s another I love just as much.
“Honestly, I love them all, and you will not be keeping all thirty.” My eyes fall on me teaching at the boys and girls club. I point it out. “That one. That’s the one I want.”
He kisses my lips, moving to my forehead. “Then it’s yours. Let me swing by and tell Kate, and we’ll be on our way.”
He doesn’t have to ask me again, as he has for the past couple weeks. I’m ready to move in with this man I love with my last breath.
* * *
Evelyn isa little guarded during dinner, and I find her staring at me often. Between Liam and Carl, they drive the conversation, talking mostly of football. Noah was quite the football player. I’d known this before, but as Carl talks about both his boys, Noah had more yards receiving than Liam, and Liam played in college.
“So, you were both wide receivers?” I ask, and Liam looks back at me.
