She flashed him one more smile before she retrieved the materials she’d come here for. Work had become more difficult, and for one reason alone.
Noah.
He practically consumed her. What would he think if he knew as much?
She touched her lips absentmindedly. It had been almost a full week since they’d shared that kiss. Almost a full week since they’d sorta gone on that date with his family. In hindsight, she should have known that Mack was up to something when he’d invited her to come along for a family event.
Jane just didn’t have self-control, and she’d wanted to see Noah more than she was worried about what Mack was trying to do.
It had been made clear when the family paired off, and she’d been left to have a conversation with the last man standing. She hadn’t complained. He was her reason for coming, after all.
There was only one problem with the way she felt about him now.
There was only one word standing in her way.
Friends.
Even the thought of it left a sour taste in her mouth. What she wouldn’t give to go back in time and change what she’d said. Would it have even mattered? Noah hadn’t exactly been forthcoming on any feelings he might have for her. The only indication that he cared for her was his teasing mention of utilizing their little pact.
Jokes. That was all it was.
She sighed, forcing herself to get back to work. There was still so much to coordinate for the event. Now that she had the venue, caterer, date, and invitations picked out, she needed to set to work on the details.
There was a menu to plan, decorations to pick out, and a budget to balance. It was one of the biggest undertakings she’d ever been asked to work on, and she couldn’t afford to mess it up by allowing herself to get distracted by Noah.
The phone in her back pocket buzzed, and she reached for it without thinking. “Yeah?” she answered.
“Jane! So glad I caught you. I wasn’t sure if you’d be working.”
Jane closed her eyes to ward off the frustration already mounting at answering her mother’s call. She should have taken a closer look at the caller ID. “Actually, I am?—”
“Then I’ll be quick. Your father’s birthday is next weekend. I wanted to make sure you could make it.”
Sighing, Jane nodded. “Yeah, okay. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Wonderful. And will Noah be coming as well?”
“What? Why?—”
“Well, it’s a family event, and since the two of you have gotten so close…” she drawled. “I thought I’d make sure you brought him along.”
Jane slapped a palm to her forehead. “Mom. Just because I brought him to dinner last week doesn’t mean he’s gonna want to do a big family event like Dad’s birthday thing.”
“Oh, come on. I’m sure things are serious enough that he won’t even think twice about it. Bring him. It’ll be fun.”
“Mom—”
“Oh, your sister’s calling me back. I have to get this. I’ll see you next weekend, ‘kay?”
Jane stared at her phone after her mother quite literally hung up on her. What just happened? Her mother couldn’t seriously expect Jane to bring Noah to the party. What if Noah didn’t want to? Even if theywereserious, that wouldn’t mean he would want to come.
Jane groaned. This was too much. She was feeling buried alive by it all. Between the feelings she had for Noah, her mother breathing down her neck, and this event she was overseeing, she simply didn’t have the bandwidth for it.
What would Noah say? Would he be the sweetheart he was and tell her that friends helped friends like before? Or would he finally have enough?
Her concentration went out the window for the rest of the day as she considered her options. She could choose not to tell him at all and then relay to her mother that he wasn’t interested. That would be a headache to deal with, but at least she wouldn’t have to worry about Noah’s feelings.
She could ask Noah to help her out one more time and swear it would be the last.
