Cassie sat in the sports car and pulled on her seatbelt. “You should write a column for the newspaper.”
“I can see the headline now. ‘A single person’s guide to love and all its pitfalls.’”
Jack’s grin was so much like Noah’s that her breath caught.
“Who knows, a wonderful woman might read the article and ask me on a date.”
“You don’t have a girlfriend?”
“Not at the moment.” Jack reversed out of the parking space. “I’m too busy running my own business and making sure my brother is okay. Noah enjoyed staying with you.”
Despite feeling as though her heart was breaking, Cassie smiled. “He taught me how to dance.”
“That would have made Grandma’s day. She spent hours with Noah, teaching him the difference between his left and right foot.”
Cassie’s eyebrows rose. “But he’s such a good dancer. I thought he must have been born with a natural rhythm.”
“Don’t let his confidence fool you. Noah spent hours perfecting each step.” Jack glanced at her. “Some people look at my brother and think his life has been easy. But he’s worked hard for everything he’s achieved. When Noah started Wilson Enterprises, he didn’t have enough capital to grow the business into what it is today. Granddad became his majority shareholder, but that investment involved a lot of high expectations.”
“Wilson Enterprises has one of the best online retail stores in the world. Your grandfather must be happy with what Noah’s done.”
Jack shrugged. “It’s hard to tell with Granddad. Noah’s contract as chief executive is up for renewal. Even though you’re working with Wilson Enterprises, Noah could still be out of a job.”
“Do you think that will happen?”
“I hope not, but if Granddad agrees, they can do just about anything. Can I give you some advice?”
Cassie sighed. “Do I have a choice?”
His lips twitched. “Not really, but I thought it was polite to ask.”
“In that case, how can I say no?”
Jack smiled. “I’m beginning to see why Noah has fallen in love with you.”
Hot tears filled Cassie’s eyes. “He has a funny way of showing it.”
The smile on Jack’s face disappeared. “Noah wouldn’t have meant to hurt you. After Mom and Dad died, he locked away his feelings. Even Tasha, his ex-fiancée, didn’t make him as happy as he’s been over the last few weeks. When you’re thinking about what happened tonight, don’t underestimate how much he loves you. He wants to be part of your life.”
Cassie pulled a bunch of tissues out of her pocket and blew her nose. Being part of her life wasn’t enough. She needed to trust Noah, and she didn’t know if she ever could again.
Chapter 16
Cassie was soldering a silver ring when someone knocked on her cottage’s front door. Turning off the butane torch, she checked her watch. Brooke and Megan weren’t supposed to be here for another hour. The guests staying in Acorn Cottage wouldn’t be back until later tonight. If the person standing on her veranda wanted to sell her something, they would be disappointed.
For the last two weeks, she’d spent all her time in her studio, trying to keep up with the orders that had flooded in after the award ceremony. Emma Lewis, the woman she’d met at LaGuardia Airport, was working in her jewelry store. Without having to go into town, Cassie had been able to get through a lot more work.
Unfortunately, that meant she hadn’t spent a lot of time with her friends.
The person knocked again, and Cassie sighed. Taking off her safety glasses, she quickly walked through the living room and opened the front door. “Sam?”
“That’s me.”
Sam’s wide grin made Cassie smile. She hugged her friend tight. “It’s good to see you, but you weren’t supposed to arrive home until tomorrow. Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine. One of Caleb’s friends called a couple of days ago and asked if Caleb could help with an IT issue. We’d had a great honeymoon and were ready to come home anyway. So we packed our bags and here I am.”
“Come inside. Do you have time for a cup of coffee?”
