“I’m not sure I understand, Mr. Foley,” Noah was saying.
“Barry,” he said. “And what are you confused by?”
Noah looked my way with confusion etched all over his face. Clearly I should have been listening more closely instead of contemplating the origin of our—well, whatever this was.
I squeezed his hand. He’d grabbed mine as soon as we walked into this space. Whether that was due to memories of hisdad or the nature of this meeting, I wasn’t sure and didn’t really care. My gosh, I’d kissed this man only five days ago. I slept by his side, just slept mind you, last night. What was this world? This might be a faster relationship track than even the books I wrote.
Actually kidding, that was so not the case. Goddess knew, as Ivy was prone to say, in my books if my hero and heroine found themselves in the same bed,sleepwould be the last thing on their minds. We had an only-one-bed type of situation, and I clearly didn’t use it to its full benefit.
However, in actual reality, I loved sleeping next to Noah. I was honored that my being with him helped ease his grieving—recognized or not—in any way. The fact that he even asked for what he needed meant a lot to me.
Focus, Jules,I chastised myself. I tuned back into the present conversation and this gorgeous man. Whatever was happening between us, and my ruminations about it, would have to wait.
“Do you know what provisions are in place for the household staff?” Noah was saying.
“They’d cut back a lot from when you were younger, but the remaining staff all get a year’s pay and benefits covered for that time,” Barry said as he scanned the document in front of him. Looking from it to Noah, he went on. “And as I said before, the remaining estate—this home, their vehicles, all investments, et cetera—goes to you, their sole heir, along with a trust for your daughter”—he consulted his papers—“Adaline, when she turns twenty-five.”
Record scratch.What?Noah’s hand in mine was trembling. Now I understood a bit more why he was freaking out.Daaamn.His parents really knew how to shake his foundation even when they were gone.
“Barry.” Noah’s voice was scratchy as he spoke. He cleared his throat and went on, though that still didn’t get rid of thetremble. “I’m not sure how well you know what my relationship was like with my parents since college, or really ever.”
Barry looked up at Noah over the top of his glasses. “Noah, to be blunt, your father wasn’t an easy man. And from what I observed, your mother was his match.”
Noah nodded.
Barry continued, a look of compassion in his eyes. “And also, from what I knew of them, appearances were rather important.”
Noah gave a wry laugh before stating, “Understatement of the century.”
“So don’t you think that, even in death, they wanted to make sure everything looked a certain way to the folks they associated with?”
“But—” Noah began before Barry spoke over him.
“Sorry to interrupt, but let me get through this, and then if you have any questions, you can ask whatever you need.”
Barry looked at Noah, and they had some type of nonverbal understanding before Noah nodded and Barry continued.
“So from what Mrs. Doyle has shared with me, you have done quite a bit of good work in this world already. I know your parents had different plans for you, but you have forged your own way. I would be remiss in failing to tell you that I admire that.”
Noah’s hand in mine trembled, and I looked over to see that his eyes were watery. I wondered how often Noah heard something like that. He’d given up a lot to help others, and his parents had looked down at him in disdain rather than sharing any admiration. Mental note to tell him how amazing what he’s done so far in life is as soon as possible.
Barry looked over his papers, then straightened them and gave Noah a serious look. “I’m not here to tell you what to do necessarily, that’s all you. But if it were me, no matter what the relationship with your parents was like, I wouldn’t look a gifthorse, so to speak, in the mouth here. Whether or not you and your parents got along has no bearing on this will. You are the main benefactor once we settle their estate. After that, do with the money whatever you’d like. Keep it, give it all to charity, dance in it as you rain dollar bills down, it’s yours.” Barry gave Noah a look filled with such kindness, I wondered how on earth this man could be someone who worked for Noah’s dad or Ivy’s. Maybe that was just business, but in actuality he was truly kind? Who knew.
I glanced at Noah and saw he was visibly shaken. While it wasn’t in my nature, to say the least, I spoke up. “Mr. Foley, would it be possible to give us a few minutes?”
Barry looked from Noah to me, then nodded. “Sure. I’ll just step out and make a call. Be back in five minutes or so.” He stood and walked out, putting a hand on Noah’s shoulder and squeezing it as he went.
Once the door was shut, I immediately stood up. Noah looked up at me in confusion, but I didn’t give him a chance to say anything. I grabbed his hand, pulled him up, and tugged him to me so I could hug the man. Hard. I squeezed my arms around his waist as I tried with all my might to pour in some comfort from me to him. I didn’t know how, but I knew it needed to happen. I took all the memories of being comforted by my parents, by Lou and Verdell, by my grandparents when they’d been alive, and worked to make Noah feel even a smidge of that solace I’d found in all of them.
At first he was tense, but as he relaxed into me, he dropped his chin to the top of my head. His breathing deepened, and then I felt the first shudder. I tightened my arms. Another came, then another. His arms wrapped around me, and I let the man cry for the parents he lost—years ago and also just yesterday—in my arms. My heart broke for the little boy he’d been, just wanting toplease his parents, and the man he was who’d simply wanted the same.
After a few minutes, his heart rate slowed, his breathing evened out, and he stepped back.
“Thanks,” he said, emotion still clear in his voice.
“Of course.” I wiped the moisture from my own eyes.
He shook his head. “I stand by what I said yesterday—I lost them some time ago. But as Barry was reading the will, I realized that for so long I’ve had thehopeof them making a different decision one day. Realizing I’ve wished for them to see what I’m doing and know that what I do does make a difference. And now that’s gone. I guess it’s nice that they didn’t choose to cut me out of their will, but it isn’t like money is equal to their love in my eyes.” He paused, then sank back into his seat. “It’s just so final.”
