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A ringtone came from his pocket, and he pulled his phone from his jeans. He looked at the screen and then his gaze flicked to hers, returning to his phone almost immediately. He silenced the call and slid it back into his pocket. He looked...guilty?
“A lady friend?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he snapped.
She settled back in her chair, then frowned as something dawned on her. “You know, I’ve always tried so hard not to get in the way of your love life. I know it’s hard for someone new to come along when a man and a woman are as close as we are. I always wanted to make sure I didn’t hinder you.” She laughed, even though nothing about it was funny. “Then I went and did it, anyway. Put a ring on it and everything.”
Noah just looked at her for a few seconds, a muscle flexing in his cheek. “Actually, I bought the rings.”
Did he regret what they’d done?
“I’m sorry, Noah.”
He leaned forward a little, his voice low. “Don’t. Don’t say you’re sorry, don’t thank me. Stop all of it. I mean it.”
She blinked, surprised by his tone.
He closed his eyes for a beat and sighed, maintaining his forward posture. “Mia, no matter what you call us—spouse, roommate, best friend—you’re one of the most important people in my life. End of story.”
Heat spread up her neck as his blue eyes roamed her face.
“You’re blushing again.”
“Yeah, when did that start?” she said, trying to sound flippant. “I think the ring went to my head.”
He chuckled, and the tension seemed to lighten a fraction. “Thirty bucks well spent.”
“Promise me when you find a real wife, you’ll find a girl who’s okay with me still being in your life. I know it will be different, but I can’t give you up completely.”
“I will if you will.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m never getting married. You know this.”
He cocked a brow and lifted his left hand, the black ring a contrast against his skin.
“You know what I mean,” she said.
He shrugged. “Maybe you’ll change your mind. Think of this like a trial run. I’ll give you a report at the end on what it’s like being your husband. Maybe you’ll realize how ridiculous you’re being.”
“Are we talking about this again?”
“You brought it up.”
Mia kicked his shoe. “You drive me crazy.”
“Same.” Something about the look in his eyes when he said it sent a tingle down her spine.
She dropped her eyes to the table and brushed it off. “So how was work today? Without me?”
“Quiet. And safe.”
Mia laughed. “I should have taught the new girl how to put tape on the bottom of your mouse and remove the handles from your desk drawers.”
“A missed opportunity, for sure.”
“You’re gonna be so bored.”
“Or more productive.”
