“I thought Jack’s parents were here with the girls to help them.”
“They are, but Aubrey is being fussy, so Jack kept her with him. He wanted to give Ria a break.”
A tiny pang of sadness hits my heart thinking about babies. I have avoided being around them for the last seven years. I am comfortable in my decision to not have them, but every now and then, it creeps up on me, and the reality of what I could have had hits me.
Gabby yells from behind the curtain, announcing she’s ready, and her mom shoos Brad out of the area, distracting me from my spiraling mind.
“One minute, Gabriella, I am getting rid of your husband to be.”
“She’s quite a character, isn’t she?” Noah observes.
“Oh, this is tame. You should have seen her this morning at the salon, when we were getting our nails done. She made two of the staff cry, and one went home early.”
“Shit, okay. Note to self. Stay on Mrs. Monroe’s good side,” he says under his breath.
He bumps my shoulder lightly with his. “You look good in that dress, by the way. I look forward to escorting you down the aisle tomorrow.”
The flush heats my cheeks, and mentally, I chastise myself for allowing this man to affect me so. I have treated him so unfairly in the past. I can’t keep stringing him along. As much as I’d love for Noah and me to work out, there’s too much in our way that I just don’t think we could ever overcome it all.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
“Are you looking forward to the black and white party tonight?”
I nod, but honestly, I don’t know how I’m meant to be around him without feeling the natural pull towards him.
Six hours later, I am stepping onto the most luxurious yacht I have ever seen. Brad and Gabby opted for a black and white party with a casino on board instead of traditional bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Gabby looks incredible in a white satin cocktail dress and sky-scraper white heels with bows on them, and Brad is looking as handsome and brooding as ever, dressed in a black shirt and suit pants.
I have to hide my laugh when Gabby’s mom tries to button up his shirt to hide his tattoos. I arrived with Ali and Harry, and have never felt more like the third wheel. They are very much in the honeymoon phase, so I’m not taking it personally.
Noah will be arriving with Jack and Ria. The baby was fussing again, so they’re running late. I just hope they make it before the yacht leaves the port.
I wander to the edge of the yacht and lean against the railings. I opted for a knee-length black halter dress with an open back. My hair is twisted into an updo with just a few framing pieces that blow around my face in the breeze.
The captain sounds the horn, letting us know we are pulling away, and my mind drifts to Noah. Did he make it on board, but when I turn around, my question is answered. He stands in black suit pants, hands in pockets, and a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off the tattoos I love so much. This is the man I have been pining for, for years, and know I can’t have, but God, would I give anything for one more night with him.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Noah
Wow, she takes my breath away every time I see her. Just being Tori’s friend is getting harder every time I see her. It was easier when I didn’t see her for years. I could lock the idea of her away in a box in my mind, only opening it when I felt strong enough. But being around her, hearing her laugh, looking at her, it’s growing increasingly harder to lock the idea of her away. I’m trained to have control, patience, assess a situation before acting, but all that goes out the window when it comes to her. I’d devour her here right now if I could.
“You look beautiful, Tor,” I say as I walk toward her.
“You scrub up pretty good too,” she says, stroking my arm, but she quickly retreats as if realizing what she did. “Where’s Jack and Ria?”
“Probably at the bar. All four girls decided to pitch a fit about something. Once they were all asleep in the hotel room, Jack’s parents ushered us out. Said they could handle it. I don’t know how Jack and Ria do it.”
“Me either,” she says quietly, her face falling, and then I realize how insensitive I am, talking about babies.
“I’m sorry. We don’t have to talk about them.” I give her hand a reassuring squeeze.
She looks me in the eye. “Don’t be silly. The world doesn’t stop because I lost a baby. Besides, I’ve healed. I’ve made my peace with it all. I’m okay.”
“Are you sure?” I question.
“Yes, babies aren’t on the cards for me, and I’m okay with that.”
