Noah takes a moment to stare out at the carnival, contemplating whatever thoughts must be going through his head. “Sorry, I lost my focus there for a minute,” he says.
“You don’t have to apologize. Take all the time you need.”
He offers me a look like he’s trying to figure something out about me. “Are you always this understanding?”
“No,” I tell him, laughing because I am probably one of the most impatient people I know.
“You know,” he sighs. “I wish I had asked you out on a date before I hired you.” Hearing this is unexpected, but warms me at the same time.
“Really?”
“My jaw dropped when you walked into the restaurant that first day, but I should not be saying this to you under any circumstance. You work in my restaurant; this is totally inappropriate.”
“I’m okay with it,” I say, sounding like a stupid woman. It is not okay to get involved with a boss. Not ever. Never.
Noah wraps his arm around my shoulders, and I glance to the side, catching his gaze. My heart thumps, and I recall the flutter I felt in my stomach when I stupidly thought he was going to kiss me, rather than pick up my key from the sidewalk. I hate that I like him as much as I do. It’s an unfortunate situation to be in.
“How do you feel about rules?” he asks.
“Most rules are an important part of life, but on the other hand, some rules can be fun to break, as long as no one gets hurt,” I tell him with a raised brow.
Noah leans in an inch, maybe two. I can smell mint on his breath. “Don’t hate me for saying this, but you're gorgeous.”
“You’re my boss,” I whisper sinfully.
“I won’t tell if you won’t,” he replies in the same hushed whisper.
I bite down on my bottom lip, and he nods his head and closes his eyes. “Shit.”
“What’s the matter?” Oh my God. What did I do? I want to test my breath. What if it’s rank?
“Ashley, I have to be honest with you. I live in one of the villas. I didn’t want to lie to you, but I don’t want to be pre-judged either. I’m not sure what you know about the guys living in the houses, but all of us have very different reasons for being here—being a part of the social study. I’m sure you have preconceived notions at this point, but make sure you give everyone a chance before assuming the worst, okay?”
I stop walking because I need a minute to digest what he said. I take a seat on a nearby bench and lean back against the seat. “Were you in my house last night?”
“Back row, second from the left,” he offers.
“Is this all an act?”
“No, we’re all real people with real lives. I can’t say more, though.”
I feel like I just took a football to the chest. For a second, I thought Noah might not be crazy like the others, but now I just have a bad taste in my mouth. “See, this is my problem, Noah. No one can tell me the truth, even though everyone is ‘real.’ I don’t know how anyone expects me to be okay with this. I feel like I’m on some kind of reality show or that movie with Jim Carrey, where everyone watched his life unfold on TV. Everything feels staged, and I don’t know how to trust anyone.”
Noah takes my hands. I should pull away, but I don’t.
“I understand. Sometimes in life, we have to trust our instincts though and realize everything happens the way it does for a reason.” He seems to have a distinct reason for everything he does, but I’m more confused than ever now.
“What was your reason for agreeing to this thing, Noah?”
He drops his head into his hands and shakes his head with frustration. “Trust me; you don’t want to know.”
Chapter 14
I’mgood at walking away.
I don’t know what I’m feeling at the moment, but my emotions have been toyed with enough today, so I told Noah I need some time to be with my thoughts, and I left him at the carnival.
Between the restaurant and the villas, I find a rock to rest on and I pull my phone out to send Bradley a message.
