His brows go up. “First, am I forgiven?”
She smirks but after a moment nods.
“I picked up your favorite soup and turkey bacon sandwiches from that place on Fifth Street.”
Her eyes drift closed as she inhales. “You’re too good to me.”
“You can admit it. I’m your favorite,” he replies.
She waves her hand at him and she shakes her head.
I stand. “Leave her alone and help me serve.”
As soon as we’re in the kitchen and out of eyesight of his mother, he sets the takeout bags on the counter and leans down to press his lips to mine.
“That’s better,” he murmurs after thoroughly kissing me.
“Stop mauling her so we can eat,” his mom jokes from the den.
I laugh, pressing my face to his chest.
“I’m not mauling her,” Noah argues.
She makes a noise of disagreement but doesn’t argue further.
“How’s she been?” Noah asks as we plate the food he brought.
“She’s been great. We’re having a TV marathon.”
“I can’t thank you enough for letting her hang out here.”
“It’s no trouble,” I say. “She’s great company.”
His head tilts to the side in the way his mother did earlier. “Have you been lonely here during the day?”
I can’t lie to him. “Not all the time.”
He kisses me again. “We can’t have that.”
I smile up at him. “You already have enough to worry about.”
He shrugs. “We’ve already established the fact that I love you, right?”
Unable to dispute that, I nod my head.
“It means I’m going to worry about you no matter what,” he explains.
“Can we talk about it more later?” I ask, remembering his mom is not only within ear’s reach but waiting for her lunch.
After we eat, once Daisy is back in the den watching another home makeover, Noah pulls me upstairs.
“Your mom is in the house,” I warn, not sure why we need to have our conversation in my bedroom.
He closes the door behind us. “I know.”
“Noah,” I plead.
He grins at me. “I’m not going to do anything.”
My nerves start to relax and he keeps talking. “I wanted to check on you where you wouldn’t worry if she could hear you.”
“Oh,” I say, surprised. “You didn’t have to. Honestly, she’s been sweet. All we’ve done is watch TV.”
His eyes hold mine. “We should probably get back downstairs before she tries to sneak clean your kitchen.”
“My kitchen is clean,” I argue.
“Then she’ll rearrange your spices.”
“Why on earth would she do that?” I ask.
He laughs, leaning down to kiss me so his laughter ends against my lips.
When he’s done kissing me, he says, “We’ve never been able to figure out why.”
He opens the door for me and holds my hand as we make our way back downstairs. At the mouth of the den I look left, expecting to see her on my sectional.
She isn’t there.
“Daisy?”
“In here,” she murmurs from the kitchen.
I look right and watch as she closes the cabinet door below my sink.
Noah shakes with restrained laughter next to me. “Were you looking for something?”
She dusts her hands and mutters something unintelligible as she moves past us and back into the den.
“Did she move anything around?” Noah asks as I cross the kitchen to look under my sink.
“She did,” I quietly laugh, pointing to the box of trashcan liners.
His head turns in the direction of the den. “I should have warned you.”
“I don’t mind.” I laugh.
Ignoring the fact that his mom is in the next room, Noah pushes me against the counter and kisses me hard. I coil my arms around his neck and hold on, letting him overwhelm me.
“Now go, so I can get my work done and so you don’t embarrass me in front of your mom,” I order, after coming up for air.
“We’re finishing what we started later,” he promises.
I feel a full body tingle at his words, my eyes moving to the time display on my microwave. His gaze follows mine and when he sees what I’m looking at he gives me a wicked grin.
“I need to say bye to my mom before I go or she’ll have my head,” he says, turning me toward the den.
I can’t argue since my mom is the same way.
She pauses the show when we walk in, using the remote I showed her. Noah leans down the kiss her cheek.
“Is dad picking you up later?”
She nods. “I think so.”
“Have you talked about what you’re doing tomorrow?”
Her eyes move to mine. “I think I’ll be fine at home tomorrow.”
“How about you and dad talk it out and let us know tonight?”
“You’re welcome here anytime,” I add, meaning it.
He squeezes my hand in a silent thanks.
“I’ll sort it out with your father,” she agrees, and then smiles at me before saying, “I have enjoyed getting to know you better.”
Noah drops my hand to wrap his arm around my shoulders, tucking me close. “I knew you would.”
She shakes her head. “Now you get back to work so Finley and I can get back to our show.”
He turns, looking at the paused TV. “I know this show. You don’t know how many clients ask for shiplap after watching it.”
Daisy and I look at each other and burst out laughing.
“What did I say?” Noah asks, confused.
“Inside joke,” I laugh, moving to my spot on the couch.
His eyes move from his mom to me and back to his mom before saying, “I’m not even going to ask.”
“Good idea,” I joke.
“Either of you need a fresh drink or anything before I go?”
We shake our heads. “No thanks.”
I watch him go, noticing how the room dims as soon as he’s gone.
“I like this.”
“The show?” I ask, not sure what she’s talking about the show or how Noah and I are together.
She shakes her head. “You look at my Noah the way I looked at his father in the beginning.”
I gulp, not sure how to respond.
“You’re a sweet girl for keeping me company today. It’s been a long time since Noah showed any interest in a woman. It seems he was waiting for one who would be worth his time.”
Wow.
“He’s great,” I start but she cuts me off.
“And he has excellent taste.”
That has my cheeks reddening but I hold her gaze.
“Now, let’s see how these two transform this house,” she says, changing the subject and unpausing the TV.
I’m grateful for it, grateful for everything actually, her words and now the relief I feel from hearing them. It’s as if by turning our attention back to the show she’s given me the privacy to mull over what she said.
We lapse into a companionable silence, the show and the taps of my fingertips against my keyboard the only noise. She seems focused on the show while I’m less so.
My thoughts are only partly on the work I’m doing as well, luckily it’s just electronic claims filings, the busy non-phone related work I could do in my sleep at this point.
No, my thoughts are on Noah and on my own fears at what our future holds.
20
Noah
“Just ask her,” Abby orders.
I stare at her and then raise my brows.
She frowns and replies. “Well, why the hell not?”
Things between Finley and I were going great and then life happened. Mom getting hospitalized, even though she’s fine now, was a shock. Other than needing to be on a blood thinner for the next six months or so, things have gone back to normal for her.
She sp
ent a few days hanging out at Finley’s place right after she was discharged, mainly so she wouldn’t kill my dad for hovering over her. Finley took my mom staying with her in stride. In fact, they were cackling like old girlfriends by the second day and now when my mom wants to get a hold of me, she calls Finley.
Then, to save money, Fin decided against spending Christmas with her parents in Texas. She wasn’t homesick but she couldn’t hide how much she missed her family. The look on her face when her parents, aunts, uncles and cousin showed up to surprise her was priceless.
She went from shock to happy and then to panic at trying to figure out where everyone would sleep in less than a minute. Together, we figured out temporary sleeping arrangements for everyone and the rest of their visit went off without a hitch. It was plain to see how much getting to spend the holidays with her family meant to her.
That was a month ago, a month of me sleeping here each and every night. A month of swinging by my house every day to drop off the trailer if I had it; and to repack my overnight bag. We’re close, closer than ever but there’s this wall I can’t break through.
“It’s not like I can ask her to move in with me. She loves that house and isn’t going to leave it.”
“Call it something else. Say you want to take things to the next level and see if she gets the hint and asks you to move in with her.”
I lean back into my chair and look up at the ceiling. “Last thing I want to do is pressure her if she isn’t ready.”
“You’ve never been one to beat around the bush, Noah. Why don’t you tell her what you’re feeling?” She asks.
I tip my head back to meet her eyes. “Would you believe me if I said I’m scared she doesn’t feel the same?”
Abby’s eyes bug out. “Don’t be insane. She loves you.”
Her words should ease my concerns but they don’t. I can’t imagine my life without her. I’m impatient for it to begin. I want it all, marriage, a family, and to grow old together.
She’s still struggling with so much. All I can do is wait even though it’s the last thing I want to do.
“Want me to drop a hint?” She asks after a bit.
“What kind of hint?” I counter.
“I can play dumb and ask when you’re moving in for good or if you’ve put your house on the market yet, something like that,” she answers.
I have to admit, it’s not a bad idea. “Do you think that would work?”
She shrugs but does it with a catlike grin. “Have I ever failed?”
I grin back and she stands. “You call Jon and meet him for a drink. Knowing you and how quickly you’ve been dashing home after work each day, it’s probably been ages since you’ve gone to happy hour.”
“It has been a while,” I admit.
“Call Finley and tell her I’m swinging by for a visit and that you’ll be late,” she tells me, still ordering me around.
It’s my turn to stand, pulling my phone from my pocket as we walk together from my office to the main door, waving at Justin as we pass him.
“Hey baby,” I greet when she answers.
“Everything okay?”
She’s not used to me calling after work, normally after popping by my house, I head right to hers.
“I’m going to be late tonight if that’s alright.”
“Oh,” she hesitates before saying, “of course.”
“Abby stopped by here and plans to head your way. If you don’t want company let me know and I’ll tell her another night.”
“Don’t be silly. I’d love to see her,” she says, her voice lighter than moments before.
I smile at Abby and lift my head. “She’ll be there in a few then.”
She doesn’t reply and I pull my phone from my ear to make sure I didn’t drop the call. When I see I haven’t, I ask, “Finley?”
“Where are you going?” Her question is whispered; so quiet I need to strain to hear her.
“I’m going to meet Jon for a drink,” I reply.
“Jon?” There’s a relief in her tone.
“Want me to ask him if Em and him can come over for dinner sometime next week?”
“I’d like that.” The worry from her voice is now gone.
“Consider it done,” I promise. “And, I won’t stay out too long, just a drink.”
“Don’t worry, Abby will keep me company.”
“Alright baby” I answer. “I love you.”
“I love you too Noah.”
After I hang up with her I give Abby a hug goodbye.
“I’ll call you and let you know what she says,” Abby shouts as she walks away.
Staying in front of our office, I wave as she pulls away and then I call Jon. “Feel like a drink?”
“Trouble in paradise?”
“The opposite,” I reply.
“Why aren’t you heading to Finley’s?” He asks, surprise coloring his words even through the phone.
“I’ll tell you over a drink, unless tonight isn’t good for you?” I ask belatedly.
“Tonight is perfect. I was on my way to an empty house and leftovers.”
“Where’s Emily?” I ask, moving toward my truck.
“Some book club but they should call it a wine club because all they do is drink and gossip from what I hear.”
“Jesus,” I laugh, picturing Emily drunk.
“Tell me about it,” he laughs.
As I start my truck I reply, “I’ll see you in five and you can.”
I beat him there and order a drink for each of us.
“Hey man,” he greets, sitting on the stool next to mine when he shows up.
“Thanks for meeting me,” I say, pushing his drink toward him.
“Always got time for you man,” he answers, before taking a drink.
“That means a lot to me.”
“So, are you going to ask Finley to marry you?” He asks, surprising me.
“Someday, I hope. Right now I’d be happy with moving in together,” I admit.
“You thinking about selling your place?”
I shrug, and then lean forward against the bar, my hands circling my glass. “I’m not attached to it the way Finley is to her place.”
“So why are you here drinking with me and not there with her?” He asks.
“I’m too chickenshit to ask her how she feels so Abby’s over there right now doing it for me,” I laugh.
He rubs my back as he laughs with me. “Fucking Abby. That girl is a riot,” he wheezes.
I hold up my glass in a cheer. “Here’s to hoping Finley wants to live with me too.”
“She will,” he replies, touching his glass to mine. “I’m sure of it.”
“That makes one of us,” I joke.
Truth is, tension coils from my gut outward to each of my limbs. Before Jon got here, I was staring at my phone like a teenager. Even now, I want to check it which is crazy because I know my ringer is on.
“Want to come over for dinner next week?” I ask.
He nods. “She’s a damn fine cook. I’ll have to check with Em on the day but I’ll say yes anyway.”
“You tell me the day, we’ll make it happen.” I assure him.
We finish our drink, and then another before Abby calls.
Jon takes one look at me and says, “Fill me in tomorrow.”
I give him a grateful nod, slip some bills across the bar top before answering her call. “How’d it go?”
“I asked her when you were moving in and she dropped a plate, breaking it.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” I mutter, pushing open the door of the bar. “What happened after?”
“She said you two haven’t discussed anything like that.”
I inhale, pressing the button to unlock my truck.
“I asked her why not,” Abby rushes on.
“And?” I ask, when she doesn’t say anything else.
“I think she’s waiting for you to bring it up,” she tells me.
“And if I do, you think
she’d say yes?” I ask, crossing my fingers and toes and anything else.
“I do,” she admits.
With a grin I gaze out my windshield. “I better go then.”
“Good luck bro, not that you’ll need it,” she teases.
Every light between the bar and her house is green. By the last light, the one closest to her neighborhood, I feel the weight of all my hopes pushing me along.
The lights of her house greet me. She’s in there, waiting for me.
“Still up?” I shout, after letting myself in the front door.
I shrug off my coat and toe off my boots.
“I’m in the kitchen!” she calls back.
I lock up and then move toward her only to find her leaning against the end of the hall before the entry to the kitchen and den.
“God, you’re beautiful,” I say as soon as I’m close enough to reach her.
“Shh,” she replies, not fighting me as I pull her into my arms.
I kiss her, planning for it to be a simple hello. It becomes something entirely different and seconds later I have her pressed up against the wall, our bodies colliding with intense need.
She pulls at my clothes, I tear at hers. A month after our relationship went physical, she went on birth control. It’s given us the freedom to be spontaneous. This feels like something else, something more.
“I’ll never stop wanting you,” I groan, my hands moving over her, trying in vain to touch all of her.
“Noah,” she cries, clutching me as she comes undone.
I follow her, spiraling down after her.
Still breathing heavily, we stare at each other.
I push her hair back from her face and grin at her. “Hello.”
She bursts out laughing and tucks her face into my neck. Scooping her up, I carry her into the den, careful not to trip with my pants halfway around my ankles.
I set her on the sofa and rearrange my clothes, watching as she straightens hers. As soon as we’re both fully dressed, I kiss her again, this time the gentle hello I originally intended.
When I pull back I say the words that have been eating away at me. “I don’t want to live out of an overnight bag any longer. I want to live with you Finley.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, you want that too?” I confirm.
She presses her lips together and nods.
Fix Her Up (The Fix Book 1) Page 20
