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They observed the basketball game for another few moments before commercials rolled and Bradley turned to him. “You know, I can’t even picture you married. I always thought you’d be an eternal bachelor.”
“You and me both.” Noah huffed a laugh and took a deep sip from his beer. After watching his parents barely tolerate each other, he had no desire to tie himself to another person like that.
“So why go through with it? The way your dad drinks he’s probably only got another ten years left in him anyway. Why not just wait until he bites it and you inherit the company naturally?”
“It’s not the same,” Noah said. “I deserve— no, I’veearnedthat company. And he knows that. If his only condition is that I find a wife and pop out a baby or two, then so be it.”
“It’s not as simple or easy as you’re making it out to be,” Bradley said. “It takes time to find that kind of love. It’s not like you can just turn around in your seat and pick the first woman you lay eyes on.”
Noah waved his hand. “Oh, love is of no concern to me,” he said. “I simply need to find a beautiful woman who wants children and—”
“And doesn’t care about the fact that you want nothing to do with both her and your future child?” Bradley raised an eyebrow.
Noah frowned. “I’m not a monster, okay? I’ll provide them with anything their hearts desire. I just need someone who understands how important my work is.”
Bradley took a deep swig, finishing off the last of his beer and setting the glass firmly down on the counter. “Right. Well good luck with that. I need to go.”
“All right. I’ll see you later.”
“Maybe Keira has a friend she can set you up with,” Bradley called on his way out.
As if, Noah thought. Keira’s friends would only be interested in a love match.
What Noah needed was a business deal. Something that would be mutually beneficial for both parties. The last thing he wanted was for his future wife and child to end up like Noah and his mother.
The thought pushed him into ordering another drink and this time he ordered the strong stuff.
Noah had always felt unwanted as a child but after hearing his father speak yesterday, it had finally clicked.
The image I’ve created. As if Noah wasn’t a living breathing human being.
Now he knew that he had only ever been a marketing scheme. His entire existence was only for the purpose of portraying the ‘perfect family.’
It made sense why he never felt good enough; his father’s only expectation of him was to be an object, an abstract idea of everything thatshouldhave been.
Noah did not want to be his father.
Thinking he should call it quits before the dark thoughts continued, he texted Ryan to meet him out front.
Ryan was his driver tonight, though his role in Noah’s life was whatever he needed him for that day. And he paid him a hell of a lot to do it, whether it was driving, security, assistant, or errand runner. Noah took off to the bathroom first, making his way past all of the people eating their fancy dinners.
That’s when he spotted her.
She was hiding behind a set of two large ferns posted by the door. Her light brown hair was in a twisted updo and she wore a tight-fitting black dress with heels to match.
Noah tilted his head to the side with amusement. He cleared his throat before speaking, trying not to laugh. “Sophie?”
CHAPTER4
SOPHIE
Sophie had tried on almost every dress in her closet, and the ordeal had turned her bed into a heaping mess. She didn’t bother cleaning it, deciding that it would be a good excuse not to bring anyone home.
Not that she didn’t think about it; it had been months since a man had occupied her bed, and lord knew she could use the release, but she wanted a real connection with someone. She always had a hard time not getting attached to anyone she slept with casually.
She glanced at the clock on her wall and decided to go with the black dress she was already wearing, as she was already running late. She grabbed her matching black heels on her way out and threw on a pair of sandals to drive in.
A nauseating twist pulled in her stomach as she turned into the restaurant parking lot fifteen minutes later. Sweat was already escaping from every pore in her body and she was thankful that she had opted for a sleeveless cut. Her hands shook as she grabbed her heels from the passenger seat and changed out of her sandals. After one more glance in the small mirror and a touch-up of her red lip gloss, she exited the car.
