They had the rear part of the hotel to themselves. A living area, small kitchenette, two bedrooms, and a bathroom.
“You look nice, who are you dating again?”
“No one you know.”
“I’m going to play ball with the guys, call if you need me.”
She shuddered. “I won’t, and don’t come back broken or bruised.”
“Have a little faith… Faith.” She rolled her eyes.
“Can I ask you something, Noah?”
“Anything.” She wandered into his room as he stripped off his good T-shirt and replaced it with an old T-shirt. It would likely end up shredded.
“You got a thing for Lani Sullivan?”
He tripped on the edge of the shoe he’d just toed off and landed face-first on his bed.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“What? No way. I don’t even know the woman. Why would you say that?” Noah turned over and sat on the bed, all casual like. His heart was thudding but Faith couldn’t see that. Grabbing his worn sneaker’s, he slipped on one, then bent to tie the laces, thereby hiding his expression.
“I know that, and it’s confusing me, to be honest. I mean, from what I gather you haven’t even had time to get her into bed—”
“Jesus, you make me sound like I’m this guy who prowls about the place hunting woman down to sleep with him.”
“Noah, Noah, Noah,” she said in that way that really pissed him off, a sanctimonious I’m-smarter-than-you tone. “You make her jittery, and she makes you nervous.”
“You’ve been reading too many of those romances again. Seriously, go buy a horror or something.”
She leaned on his doorjamb, which was a sign she was settling in for a nice long chat. Noah got off the bed and went to his closet and dug out his Packers cap.
“I know when you’re trying to distract me, Noah, and I’ve also seen the way you look at her. All big bad wolf.”
“And that’s just plain insulting.”
“I think she’s scared for some reason. I also think she’s been living in her car.”
Why was everyone picking today to confront him with Lani? First Mrs. C, and now Faith.
“How do you know that?”
“I saw in the back window the other day when the curtains were opened a crack.”
“So you looked?”
“Of course.” She showed no remorse.
“Faith, I’m saying this once, and once only. I’m not interested in Lani Sullivan. I think she’s nice, but you’ve seen the way she dresses. She’s not for me.”
“What does the way she dresses have to do with anything?” Faith had her hands on her hips now, glaring at him. “Are you seriously that shallow a pair of baggy jeans and a cap would put you off?”
“Yes,” he lied, wanting to throw her off the scent. “But if there were something between us, which there isn’t, it would be over soon because she’s leaving Howling.”
“I just think that having a casual date or two before she does would be good for you. I’m not asking you to form a lifelong commitment to her, just get back into the game.”
“I’ve been in the game,” he gritted out.
