"Slow down." Andi gave Destry's hand a reassuring pat. "Noah and I aren't ready to define our relationship. We're in the test drive phase. Our schedules are still crazy. So, we see each other when we can. And see where the road takes us."
"Good plan." Calder pretended she didn't notice when Andi snatched another piece of fruit. "You wouldn't tolerate a clingy man. A guy who was constantly underfoot? Nope. Not your style."
"Or yours. Or Bryce's. As for Destry…"
"Please. Just the thought of the same man, hour after hour, day after day. I'd shoot myself. Or better, I'd shoot him, the clingy bastard."
As her sisters laughed, Andi wrestled with whether to tell her sisters everything. The moment the thought entered her head, she rolled her eyes. Not tell her sisters? Impossible.
"Noah has a problem with my money."
"Understandable. Noah grew up without a dime. Ambition aside, nothing's changed. I doubt he pictured himself in a relationship with a multi-millionaire. Give him time. He'll adjust to the idea."
Surprised, not by the sentiment, but by the source, Andi turned her full attention to Destry. Cynical by nature, she'd expected her youngest sister to have little or no patience for Noah.
"Why the sudden empathy?"
"If your question is, have I gone soft? The answer is no with a capital N-O." Dark eyes narrowed, Destry absently tapped her spoon against the side of her bowl. "We all agree, Noah seems like one of the good ones. Until something changes, the teeny, tiny sliver of Mary Poppins in me will ride the wave of my sister's happiness."
"Sounds like a ringing endorsement to me." Bryce raised her glass of juice. "To Andi and Noah."
Andi smiled as her sisters toasted her fledgling relationship. She was the oldest. The leader. The rock in good times and bad. Now, though Noah only hovered from a safe distance, she was the first to bring a man anywhere near the safe haven of their tight circle.
"I'm scared."
Just saying the words made the ball of tension in the pit of her stomach ease. Her sisters gathered close in the ultimate group hug.
"I'd be worried if you weren't," Calder said, squeezing tight.
"Noah's important to you." Bryce chimed in.
"Important is worth a few nerves. Yes?" Destry asked.
"Definitely."
Suddenly, anything seemed possible. Andi could fly, toward Noah or away, without fear. Her sisters would always be there to catch her if she fell.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
~~~~
THE NEXT TWO months passed so quickly, Andi had little time to do more than remember to breathe.
Preparations for Mila Shore's wedding occupied her days. The movie star's moods were hard to gauge. One moment, Andi's designs were perfection, the next, nothing was right. One dress was too fitted, then not fitted enough. Mila wanted royal purple for her lounging pants. But when she saw the finished garment, she cried—wailed was more like it—that she wanted a paler color.
As the wedding loomed a mere three days away, Andi wondered if she should forget her dream and turn her drawing skills to a less people-centric occupation. A nice, secluded hut on a beach in Tahiti sounded good. Heck, the change of scenery worked wonders for Gauguin.
"I hate to be catty." Sandra Morton handed Andi an invoice to approve. "But Mila Shore put the hor in horrible."
Normally, Andi would frown on an employee making such a potentially incendiary comment about a customer—especially her trusted personal assistant. Today was an exception. The finish line was in sight, so, they were a bit giddy. And, more importantly, no one was around to overhear.
"Catty, maybe." Andi scrolled her signature. Handing Sandra the clipboard, she winked. "Also accurate. Twenty-four hours. This time tomorrow, the movie goddess and the rock star will be man and wife, and we will be Mila-free."
"She might grab you out of the crowd and insist you sew on another sequin or bead. Or, God forbid, a ruffle."
Mila Stone loved ruffles. The more, the better. Andi wasn't a fan—even in moderation. They found a compromise. One ruffle—more of a modified peplum—adorned the pre-reception ensemble. Mila looked stunning in the canary yellow jumpsuit. While Andi's professional integrity survived intact.
"At least Mila never quibbled over the dress." Sandra sighed with delight as she walked around the finished garment. "You created a masterpiece, Andi."
All ego aside, Andi agreed. With the help of Madam Linford's exquisite cream-colored lace, the dress was classic and modern all at once and best of all, emphasized Mila Stone's world-famous curves without crossing the line into vulgar.
"The bride will be on every magazine from here to Timbuktu. Websites will crash, women all over the world will drool. Your name and brand will skyrocket from the free publicity. Are you ready to hit the professional stratosphere?"
Andi hated to sound arrogant, but what the heck.
"Honey, I was born ready."
Chuckling, Sandra left Andi to put the finishing touches on Mila Stone's trousseau. The garments were sewn, pressed, and ready to be transported to various locations in preparation for tomorrow's day-long festivities. The clothes were ready, but Andi wasn't. Not yet. She never let so much as a silk scarf go out into the world without her personal once-over.
A pair of small, razor-sharp scissors in hand, Andi started at the bottom and worked up. Even the tiniest of stray threads caught her eagle-eyes. A snip here, a tuck there. These were her babies, and she refused to send them into the world unless they looked their absolute best.
"Busy?" Noah stuck his head into her office followed by the rest of him. "Silly question. Even when you aren't at work, you're busy."
"But when I'm not at work, I'm busy with you." Andi set the scissors aside and walked into his waiting arms. He smelled like wood chips and Noah. "If I can't give you my undivided attention, what's the point?"
Smiling, he nuzzled her neck.
"You don't do anything halfway. As I can happily attest."
Andi hummed with pleasure as their lips met. Familiar, yet wonderfully new, she would never get used to the way his kisses made the blood sing in her veins every time.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"The job I started today takes me by here. I was on a supply run and couldn't resist the chance to look at your beautiful face."
"You look pretty good yourself." Andi wiped a smudge of dirt from Noah's cheek. Dirty or clean, the man was hands down the sexiest creature on earth. "Have time for something to drink?"
"Not really." His eyes mirrored Andi's regret. "We still on for tomorrow?"
Tonight, Noah had his monthly poker game with his buddies. Andi and her sisters planned a girls' night in. A marathon of movies, tons of popcorn, and enough candy to choke the proverbial horse was their favorite way to spend a lazy fall evening.
"Will you miss me?" Noah asked with a wink as he helped himself to some water from her fridge. He brought two, unscrewing the top before he handed a bottle to Andi.
"Desperately." Only half kidding, she batted her eyes. "But we Benedict women need bonding time."
Noah snorted, spilling his water down his chin.
"If the four of you bond any harder, a crowbar won't pry you apart."
Laughing, Andi dried him off with a stray scrap of cotton.
"Like any healthy relationship, maintenance is required. We remain close because we don't take our closeness for granted. Understand?"
"And what about us? When do we get our next round of maintenance?"
Their relationship suited Andi perfectly. Their days were non-stop dawn to dusk. When Noah wanted to spend time on his security program, she understood. Just as he gave her space when she needed an extra hour or two—or three—on a design.
Their moments alone were at a premium which made every second special. Yet, Noah was never far from Andi's thoughts. Every hour, every day, he meant more to her than the hour, the day before. Her life was great b
efore they met. Noah quite simply made everything better.
Andi tossed the damp cloth onto the floor. Her heels made up for some of the difference in their heights. A little boost on tiptoe and she was right where she wanted to be.
"Any complaints so far?"
She kissed him before he had a chance to speak. Her answer was the way he pulled her close and sank into the kiss as though the taste of her was the only thing that would get him through the rest of the day.
"Tell me again why you won't be in my bed tonight?"
"Poker. Smelly men. The stale smell of beer and loud belching."
"Right." Noah sighed. "What are you doing for breakfast?"
"Stop by the mansion around quarter to six, and I'll show you."
"Give me a preview."
Andi laughed, slapping Noah's hands as they moved from her hips, towards her butt.
"You don't have time to sit down, but you can carve out a few minutes for a quickie?"
"I'm a man who knows how to prioritize."
"Tomorrow morning."
Andi shoved him out the door.
"See you soon, Anderson."
With a wave, Noah disappeared through the stairwell door.
"He calls you Anderson?" Sandra looked from her desk, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Mm." Andi noticed, but no longer minded.
"Must be love." Humming Love and Marriage, Sandra typed her computer keys to the song's rhythm.
Her turn to be surprised, Andi blinked. Love? Alone in her office, she stayed focused on the task at hand. One by one, she boxed Mila Shore's bridal trousseau. The company Mila hired to deliver the clothes arrived right on time. Andi signed the necessary paperwork and let the movers go without a second thought. She'd done her job to the best of her ability. She hoped Mila was happy. Whatever happened now was out of her hands.
Andi leaned back in her chair. She gazed out the window at buildings, but she didn't see them. Letting out a happy sigh, her smile bloomed. Well, what do you know? She was in love with Noah Brennan.
~~~~
"YOU DON'T HAVE to come."
"And miss the chance to see your wedding dress? Not on your life."
Andi checked her lipstick in the cracked mirror that hung over the sink. She couldn't call the area a bathroom. More of a nook with a door. The water ran clear from the faucet, the shower sported cold and hot water, and the toilet flushed. According to Noah, anything extra would be a waste of space.
Content her lips still had a decent coat of color, twisted right, then left until she had a composite look at her dress. The full skirt of the fuchsia silk popped against her naturally pale skin. Happy with the simple sleeveless, belted at the waist style, she decided she'd made the perfect choice.
Andi took a seat on the freshly made bed as she watched Noah finish dressing. She'd settled into the idea that she loved him. What was odd was the feeling her heart might fly from her chest at any second.
Funny thing she'd discovered about a happy secret—one she hadn't shared with her sisters because she wanted to hold the feeling to herself a little longer—the darn thing made her heart light as a feather. Who would have guessed?
"The dress isn't mine. Not anymore."
"Then why stand outside the church just to catch a glimpse? And why do we need to dress up?" he asked, slipping a length of silk around his neck.
Noah didn't wear a tie often, but he was an expert at getting the knot just right. When he slipped on his jacket, crisp white shirt, shoes shined to a fine gloss, freshly shaved, with his hair combed just so, he looked like he stepped off the cover of GQ.
"Mila commissioned the dress and paid a pretty penny. She's the owner. As for why we're in our Sunday finest? I turned down an invitation to the wedding because the circus atmosphere a movie goddess and a rock star are bound to generate doesn't appeal to me. However, though we aren't technically guests, we should respect the ceremony and dress accordingly."
One side of Noah's mouth quirked into a half smirk.
"Convoluted reasoning, Anderson."
Andi smoothed her hand down Noah's already impeccably pressed lapel. As much as she wanted to give him a brand-new tailor-made suit, she knew he wouldn't accept—and would very likely be the reason for their first real fight as a couple. As a compromise to herself, she'd insisted he let her expert staff smooth out any wrinkles. Noah, to her delight, agreed with only a small hesitation.
"As I said, you don't have to come with me."
Just because she rarely flirted to get her way didn't mean she wasn't conversant with the skill. After all, she was Billie Benedict's daughter. Andi licked her bottom lip, drawing Noah's heated gaze. She knew she had him—and didn't feel an ounce of remorse.
"And I said I'd come." His eyes met hers. "Good thing you won't be in the church. The way you look, no one would notice the bride."
Andi's feather-light heart skipped a beat. Noah didn't hand out compliments at the drop at a hat. As a result, his words meant something. They meant everything.
"Want to know a secret?" They were alone, but Andi dropped her voice to a teasing, intimate whisper.
Happy to play along, Noah nuzzled her ear, his breath like a warm caress.
"From you? Always."
"Could be I kind of like you."
"What a relief," he chuckled as his teeth nipped at her neck. "You see, I kind of like you too."
Andi didn't press for more. If the day came when Noah's feelings reflected her own, he'd tell her. If not…? Well, she'd deal with the consequences. A broken heart wasn't the end of the world.
"Hey, why the sad face?" Gently, Noah tilted her chin, a concerned look in his blue eyes. "Aren't weddings supposed to be happy occasions?"
Andi shook off her pensive thoughts and chuckled.
"In my experience, not so much." She threaded her fingers through his. "However, I'd like to believe love can last."
"By all accounts, my parents were happy." Keeping her hand firmly in his, Noah locked the apartment door. "I have a few pictures of them. I'll show you one day if you're interested."
Andi and Noah talked about so many things from their dreams to their childhoods. He mentioned his parents and what happened to them, but only in a quick, passing manner. The wound caused by their death hadn't completely healed, a fact she respected.
Today was the first time Noah spoke of his parents without tensing. Andi could hear the pain in his voice, but the fact he wanted to share something as precious as their photos meant the world to her.
"Whenever you want, I'd love to look at your photos." She smiled. "Did you get your blue eyes from your mother or father?"
"Both." Noah cleared his throat. "You think they'd be proud of me?"
Andi was determined not to cry. But when she thought of Noah, little more than a baby, left alone to take on the world by himself, she couldn't help herself. She blinked, and a single tear escaped down her cheek.
"They loved you, Noah. Of course, they'd be proud."
"I like to think so." Noah lifted her hand to his lips. "Ready to get a look at the bride?"
"Let's go," she nodded.
"Anderson?" Noah stopped. His gaze, bluer than she'd ever seen, held hers, steady as a rock. "I love you."
Now was the time to cry, Andi thought as joy cascaded through her. But her eyes were dry. Tears didn't blur her vision. She saw Noah clearly. He owned her heart, and now, she owned his.
"I love you, Noah." She touched his cheek and, to her amazement, felt the moisture of a single tear. "Take me to bed."
"What about the wedding?"
"Entertainment Tonight will give me a better look. I'd rather skip the crowds and be alone with you."
"I always knew you were smart." Grinning, Noah swung her into his arms. "You just graduated to brilliant."
Kissing a man she loved, a man who loved her, felt different. Andi didn’t have the words to say why. All she knew was the second her l
ips met Noah's, the world changed. Her world changed.
As Noah placed her on the bed, passion, tenderness in his intense blue eyes, Andi knew they would never again just have sex. From now on, they would make love.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
~~~~
LOVE DIDN'T SUDDENLY make everything perfect. If anything, Noah's feelings for Andi made his lack of professional and financial success harder to swallow. On his own, without emotional entanglements, he could blow off his frustrations with a few beers. The next day, he'd find his groove and get back to work.
Andi became his motivation and source of agony. As her career soared, Noah realized how little he'd accomplished. Worse, he wondered if he would ever be good enough to deserve her love.
The months passed with alarming speed. Fall faded into winter and a new year loomed like a sword over Noah's head. He convinced himself nothing was wrong. Until Christmas.
The holiday season never mattered to Noah. He usually worked, taking jobs at three times the normal pay other men turned down to spend time with their families. This year, because of Andi, he couldn't keep to himself—she wouldn't let him.
"Of course I want you to spend the holiday with my family and me." Andi waved off his feeble protest before he could find a decent argument. "I love you. My sisters love you. Mrs. Finch adores the ground you walk on. We don't go in for a lot of pomp and ceremony. Just family. And for a bonus gift? Billie will be on her annual jaunt to Switzerland."
The picture Andi painted sounded like something Noah could fit into. The fact her mother was out of the country helped. Unfortunately, her father decided to pay a visit. Something, according to Andi, he never did.
Noah quickly discovered Sterling Anderson didn't return the affection Calder, Bryce, and Destry Benedict felt for him. Oh, he was jovial enough when Andi and her sisters were in the room. However, when the women left to help Mrs. Finch with dessert, all pretense of good manners dropped away.
Three Wishes_A Second Chance at Love Contemporary Romance Page 15
