“A boss who’s living hundreds of miles away,” Brooke said. “I don’t know what you’re worried about. It’s not as if you’re an employee of Noah’s business. You’re a contractor.”
“That doesn’t mean I can fall in love with him.”
Megan sat forward. “William was my bodyguard when I fell in love with him. Brooke fell in love with Levi years ago but never told him. Love doesn’t always have a clear and easy path to our heart. There’ll be obstacles to overcome and compromises you have to make. But in the end, if he’s the right man, it will be worth it.”
Cassie looked at her friends and sighed. “What if we work through everything and then decide we don’t like each other?”
Brooke sent her a sympathetic smile. “At least you’ll know you tried. I fell in love with Levi, then ran away. For three years I regretted what I’d done. If he hadn’t come to Sapphire Bay, we wouldn’t have met each other again.”
“Tell Noah how you feel about him,” Megan urged. “You’ve got nothing to lose.”
Megan was wrong. Everything Cassie and her dad had worked toward could go up in flames. Especially if Noah discovered what her life had been like after they’d moved to San Francisco.
Chapter 13
Nearly two hours later, Cassie stared through the windshield of the SUV Noah had rented. With sweaty palms and a heart that was beating out of control, she knew she had to tell Noah how she felt about him. But how did you start a conversation that could change your life forever?
Noah looked in the rearview mirror. “I’m surprised I recognized so many people at Sam and Caleb’s wedding.”
Her friends would have called her a scaredy cat, but it was a relief to talk about something that didn’t involve their hearts. “Between Pastor John’s church, the general store, and Sweet Treats, you’ll see most people who live here. Did you enjoy Brooke’s fudge?”
Noah smiled. “I did. It was a great idea putting it inside the table favors.”
“We did something similar for Megan’s wedding. Brooke wants to use raspberry marshmallow inside her table favors, but we’re not sure if it will be too sticky.”
“When is she getting married?”
“In March of next year. Thank you for coming back to Sapphire Bay. You probably had a million other things to do.”
“Nothing that couldn’t wait. Besides, I was looking forward to seeing you and catching up with Pastor John.” Noah turned into her driveway. “I’m beginning to feel more at home here, than in Manhattan.”
Cassie bit her bottom lip. If she was going to tell Noah how she felt about him, she wouldn’t get a better time. “Is that a good thing?”
“I hope so.”
She took a deep breath. “I hope so, too. I think I’m falling in love with you and I don’t know what to do about it.”
Noah’s foot slammed against the brake.
Cassie’s seatbelt dug into her chest and left her breathless.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“I’m fine.” She unclipped the tight seatbelt and turned toward Noah. “I’m sorry I blurted out how I feel, but I didn’t know what else to do. You’re going home soon and—”
Noah released his seatbelt and lifted his hands to either side of her face. “I’m falling in love with you, too, Cassie Harper.”
As Noah’s lips met hers, all thoughts of what would happen next disappeared. She wanted to be part of his life, to find a way to make what was happening between them stronger and more real.
His lips teased and cajoled, taking her as high as the stars shining in the sky. In one crazy, heartfelt moment, she knew she’d remember this kiss for the rest of her life.
With trembling hands, she pulled Noah close, desperate to feel the heat of his body pressed against hers. His deep groan made her bolder, more willing to put her heart on the line and be part of his life.
Noah pulled away. “Don’t go anywhere.”
Before she could work out what he was doing, Noah jumped out of the SUV and rushed around the vehicle. Opening the door, he pulled her into his arms and pressed her between his body and the SUV.
With a contented sigh, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed him until she was breathless.
