After watching Noah sleep longer than I should have, I opened my laptop and sent the email that triggered the chain of events leading to me taking my father’s place in the company. If our plan worked out, of course.
My wedding ring felt heavy on my finger as I typed.
I’d never worn rings before.
“It feels odd. Doesn’t it? Like it’s not supposed to be there, but it’s a comforting weight,” Noah said when he caught me staring at my hand.
This man. He was the most authentic person I’d ever met.
“Yeah, it’s going to take a while to adjust.”
He looked at his own band. I liked seeing it there.
“Anyway, I saw you typing. I assume you’ve requested the meeting to tell your board about us.”
“Yes. Have you thought how you’ll tell your family?”
He pursed his lips. “I was hoping to introduce you as my boyfriend first and tell them it’s really serious. Then, one weekend, we got impatient, flew to Vegas, and got married. I mean, it’s not entirely untrue, is it?”
“Not, it’s not. Are you worried about telling them?”
“A little. My family is very close. Most will say we’re too close, considering we work together and see our parents every week, but it’s just the way we are.”
I took his hand and held it between mine. “I think it’s wonderful. I’ve always had a great relationship with my parents and grandparents, but I think it’s because the business brought us closer by default.”
“It’ll be fine. Let’s face it, is this or is this not a Noah thing to do?”
His smile didn’t do a good job of proving he believed what he’d said. There was nothing I could say to take away his worry, but for him, I’d do my best to make our relationship believable.
His family might not be happy when they find out about us, but they won’t question why we’re together.
That was my unspoken promise to Noah.
“Do you want to come over tonight? I have to be in the office tomorrow, so I can give you a lift back into the city.”
He gave me a sideways glance, the corners of his lips curling up into his signature smile.
“Careful, Lior, I’m gonna start thinking you like me.”
I did like him, probably more than I should.
“I take it back.”
“Nope. Not a chance, hubby. You’re taking me home with you.”
And just like that, lightness returned between us.
I arranged a car to take Jax and Tanner home, so we separated at the airport.
Jax sent me a questioning look, especially because they lived in the same building, so it would have been natural for them to ride home together.
I kept a neutral face. Noah and I were friends. We could hang out. Besides, if we were going to sell the married thing, we needed to get to know each other better.
Noah’s playful self was in full gear all the way out of the city. By the time we reached the road to the museum, our driver was convinced we’d been together for years and still in the honeymoon phase.
“I hope you guys get to have a real honeymoon,” he said.
“Hear that, Lioreo? We need a honeymoon. Somewhere really romantic where we can walk on the beach at sunset, make out under the stars…”
