“I don’t know if I can let myself believe that, Noah.”
“Lani, please talk to me.” He stepped closer. Sliding an arm around her waist, he pulled her in for a hug. “Let me help you.”
The desperation inside him to have her safe, to have her tell him why she was running and who was threatening her was a gnawing pain in his chest.
“No. This is not something that can be solved without a lot of pain and conflict, Noah.”
“Then stay here and hide.”With me.
Her arms wrapped round his waist and held him back. Noah felt like his heart sighed in that moment. The simple act of holding Lani was pure bliss, but knowing she was holding him right back, and in public, was a step more than that.
“Get a room.” Buster said the words as he passed them carrying a large box. He then disappeared into the Howler. Noah laughed, and Lani joined him.
“I need to go.” She eased out of his arms, and he missed her immediately.
“Me too. It’s card night.”
“That sounds fun.”
“It can be, but also messy, as we drink too much and argue like demons. The only saving grace is that Patrick McBride comes, and Declan, so they kinda play referee to the rest of us.”
“You really love this town and your people, don’t you, Noah?”
He nodded.
“Never let that go,” she said softly. Then to his surprise, she climbed to her toes and kissed him softly on the lips. “Have fun tonight.”
He watched her walk up the street and realized in that moment that he was in serious trouble… and more surprising was he wanted to be.
“Stop loitering on the street perving at woman,” Tex said, arriving with Newman and Brad. The McBrides and Declan came up behind them, with Joe Trainer and Fin Hudson.
He followed everyone inside and managed to wrestle the smile from his face before they noticed.
He poured drinks and made the drivers coffee. Patrick pulled out his faded lucky pink hat that had the words Number One Dad on the front. It had once been red, and his kids had given it to him one birthday. Buster wore his visor low, because he couldn’t hide his excitement when he got a good hand.
“So, Noah. Pressed your suit for the auction yet?” Newman said, slouching in his chair. The guy could slouch sitting on a piece of wood.
“At the cleaners as we speak.” Noah studied the hand he’d been dealt. He was seated at a table with Newman, Buster, Joe Trainer, and Declan. Jake, his dad, Fin Hudson, and the Texans sat at another.
“My money is on Faith cleaning up this year. She’s the better-looking twin, let’s be honest.”
“No competition,” Buster added.
“Fuck off, we all know I’ll be the major draw card.”
“Au contraire,” Fin drawled. “Your special celebrity guest will raise the most money.”
“You’re not a celebrity,” Joe said. “You’re a loser, is what you are.”
They argued, and Declan or Patrick kept things on track. Noah loved every minute of it.
“So, Lani,” Tex said. “What’s the deal there, Noah?”
“No deal.”
“Definitely a deal. I saw them hugging on the street just before you all arrived.”
“Shut up, Buster,” Noah snarled at his friend.
