He laughs, shaking his head. “Yeah, well… expect a repeat. Special perks of having me as a roommate.”
Then he winks at me, and I have to look away for a second.
“Lucky me,” slips out before I realize what I’m saying.
Something flickers in his expression—okay, so definitely pleased—and then he’s grinning again. He’s got one of those sunshine smiles—bright, a little crooked, and somehow even better because it’s not perfect.
“So today’s a busy day?” I ask, feeling the need to connect with him more. I’ve been quiet the last few days, nervous with himhere, but he seems like the same Noah I’ve always known, and that makes me feel more comfortable.
“Yeah,” he says, taking a sip. “We’re almost there. Last shipment of weights came in yesterday, so we’re setting up the area for those today. Aiden’s coming, and Zeke’s got a plan for the layout that should keep things flowing. Jules wants to test-run a couple class setups before we open.”
I nod, even though I don’t know what half of that means, and watch him as he talks. He moves with easy confidence, his free hand gesturing as he describes something about spacing out the squat racks. Everything about him is light—the way he leans back against the counter, the way his mouth curves when he talks about the gym.
I find myself smiling softly without meaning to.
He notices, his own lips curving to match mine. “What’s the smile for?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly, wrapping my hands around my mug. “Just glad it’s coming together for you and Aiden.”
That earns me a softer smile. “Yeah. Me too. I’m glad I’m back here.”
Weirdly, so am I.
There’s a knock at the door before I can think of anything else to say—two sharp raps, then, “Gaaaaabe! Open up!”
Oh no. Ciarán.
I sigh, ready to accept my fate.
Noah glances over his shoulder as he walks toward his room, one brow lifting. My eyes drift to his neck, trying to get a peek at his tattoo, but it’s too hard to see.
I clear my throat, feeling my stomach flutter. Why am I so worried about him liking them?
“My friends. They come over every Sunday.”
He smirks, and there’s a gleam of excitement in his eyes, like he’s been warned about them—which, knowing Aiden, he probably has.
Another knock, louder this time. “Gabe!”
I wipe my hands on a tea towel and head for the door. “Coming,” I call, voice a little too quiet to carry, but the knocking stops anyway.
The second I open it, Ciarán breezes in. His heeled boots click on the floor as he spins in the entryway, tossing his leather jacket toward the rack. It misses, of course, landing on the floor.
“You’re lucky I knocked,” he says cheerfully, bending to retrieve it. “I was fully prepared to use my key and make a dramatic entrance.”
Abbie steps in after him, balancing a paper bag. “Be nice,” she warns him, though she’s snickering, squeezing past me into the kitchen. “We brought breakfast.”
“Why didn’t you use your key?” I ask as we walk to the kitchen.
“Nah, don’t want to intrude now that you have a roommate,” she tells me.
Ciarán pipes up, “I personally wanted to intrude, but she wouldn’t let me.”
I purse my lips, fighting a laugh. “Since when can anyone stop you from doing what you want?” I ask teasingly, making him chuckle.
Then Noah’s door opens, and he strolls out, pulling a hoodie over his head. Ciarán freezes for half a second, then his mouth curves. “Oh,hello.”
Noah doesn’t look thrown. “Morning,” he says easily.
