“Hey. Good talk?” I asked, turning to the McMartins.
“You too are so adorable,” Cara said. “Where have you been hiding this delightful young man, Lior?”
I smiled, keeping Noah tucked under my arm. He seemed to recover from the kiss quickly.
“Did you know Cara and John know West and Drew?”
“I did not.”
Cara shook her head. “I’m going to have to pay those boys a visit. How did I not know they were hoping to take over the old hospital?”
She weaved her arm through Noah’s. “Lior, I’m going to take your husband away now. We’re going to have a word with the mayor.”
“Be my guest. Just bring him back in one piece,” I joked.
I gave Noah’s shoulder a little squeeze of encouragement before I let him go.
“She’s relentless,” John said, staring lovingly at his wife’s parting figure.
“Our country needs more people like them.”
He raised his glass. “I’ll drink to that and also to your old man. He’s missed.”
“Thank you, John. It’s hard stepping into his shoes when so many people knew and liked him.”
“If you want the advice of an old man, just be your own self. Your father always spoke very fondly of you.” He leaned closer. “I don’t have a stake in your company, but I used to talk to your dad a lot. If you ever want to workshop an idea with an independent party, I’m here for you.”
I raised my glass. “Thank you. I appreciate the offer, even if you might end up regretting it.”
We talked about business and family while keeping an eye on Cara and Noah, who seemed to have gathered a group of people around them. There were a lot of flying hands while they talked.
I’d learned that Noah’s nature for being so animated when he talked about something he cared about came from his Portuguese side. I wanted to know more about it, but he still seemed worried about telling his family about us.
He glanced in my direction, and our eyes met. My heart thumped a little faster. At my age, I didn’t need anyone to point out that I was rapidly falling for my husband, but I wasn’t stupid enough to let it happen.
“We’ll never get them back now,” John said, laughing. “We better get another drink.”
“What do you mean?”
“That couple joining them? That’s the prince of Lydovia and his husband, Charlie. Cara met them at a charity function a while ago. You can bet good money that my wife and your husband won’t be back until they’ve made sure the prince’s pockets are a little lighter before they go home tonight.”
“I’ll have another drink to that. The kids from that community deserve all their efforts.”
By the time we got to the front of the line at the bar, we’d decided to get a round of drinks for the group.
Noah’s hand sought mine when we joined them. His energy was electric, and I’d never seen him so happy before.
Watching him do his thing, all I could think about was how I wanted to do everything in my power to make Noah happy.
Noah
Iwas still riding the high of the ball days later when I strolled into the office with a coffee and a muffin after an early morning call with West and Drew, who wouldn’t stop talking about the visit they’d had from Cara. She’d brought along Prince Kris and Charlie.
I still couldn’t believe I’d mixed with royalty. Talk about feeling like Cinderella, and I’d even gotten to take my own Prince Charming home.
Coming back to reality was a total downer. Although I’d been relieved that with the amount of press at the event, I hadn’t seen any photos of us from that night.
My sore muscles complained when I sat down.
