I take the shirt, gazing at his tanned chest and thick arms. Dylan says he used to chop a lot of wood, but I wasn’t sure if she meant something sexual.
“Thanks,” I tell him.
I slip the shirt over my head and he darts off, catching Codi as she and Mace fall down a wall.
He grips her waist from behind. “Gotcha.”
She looks over her shoulder, that same doe-eyed, silent expression fixed on him as on everyone, including me at the shop all day.
He sets her down, but no sooner does he let her go than Farrow grabs the waist of her jeans and yanks her back to him.
“Did you ask for his help?” he growls, his eyes on Noah, his mouth next to her ear.
She shakes her head slowly, and I frown, ready to intervene.
She’s Weston. Same as Farrow. I know they’re territorial about their people, but…
“You want him touching you?” Farrow asks her.
Another head shake.
Codi stands frozen, not even trying to get free, and although I spent several minutes in Farrow’s company today, wondering how he can be a criminal, it doesn’t seem like a stretch now. He changes faces quickly.
I reach over to grab her away from him, but in the same instant, he releases her. Following her over the wall, he disappears out of sight.
I realize I’m breathing in short, quick bursts, and I’m more grateful for my new place now. I’ll be keeping an eye onher. I don’t know if that was for Noah’s sake, or if Farrow purposely intimidates her on a regular basis, but I don’t like it.
Maybe Noah is exactly what she needs.
“She works for me.” I walk with him. “You should stop by.”
“I’d rather blow a pinecone than fuck with whatever that was.”
I let my mouth fall for a moment before I break into laughter. I guess with Farrow keeping a leash on every Weston citizen, it might be more trouble than Noah cares to invite. Understandable.
He gently nudges me in my stomach. “Hurry.”
Then he rolls over the wall, somersaulting into the next section.
I like him. He’s easy to be around. Easier than Lucas.
And so is Farrow. He’s flirtier than Noah, but I never dreaded dealing with him when we were together today. He never made me uncomfortable.
Except, of course, during the episode with Codi just now.
I need people around me who aren’t family. Not that I can’t count on every Trent and Caruthers, but for my own sense of autonomy, I need tonotneed them for everything.
Farrow will stay firmly in the friend zone. He’s not serious enough. I would never be certain if he really liked me, or if I was just a game.
Noah, though… I don’t know.
Maybe…
But…my heart never stops when he looks at me. Not like it does with…
I stop, clenching my teeth.Stop thinking about him!Why is he in every other thought? Damn.
“What do you mean ‘it’s locked?’” I hear Kade snap from somewhere.
