“What about you?” His tone told me it wasn’t the first time he asked.
“What about me?” I asked with a laugh to gloss over the fact that I hadn’t been listening.
“Yeah, uh, how have you been? Ollie told me you are working for the Halls, too?”
Oh.
“I’m working for Fitz, yes. His mother and grandfather aren’t involved in the company anymore,” I explained.
“Really? Is his grandfather dead … or how come he isn’t still working? I always thought they’d have to carry the Old Fox out feet first one day.” Noah smirked at me, and I grinned back.
Gods, you’re still the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.
“He was always a miserable old fucker, wasn’t he? Nah, he and Fitz fell out a year before last, they only reconciled at Fitz’s wedding.”
“I was so happy he married Maddie.” Noah sighed.
“Yes. That was unexpected, let me tell you.”
“You think so? They always liked each other.”
“You’re right. They did,” I agreed. “But Maddie came back after fifteen years, and they got engaged two weeks later. It wasn’t surprising, the way they looked at each other, butunexpected,” I finished lamely.
“That’s so romantic, though.” Noah sighed again, and I couldn’t help but think that was what people would say if we got hitched.
You made a pact as kids to get married if you were both single at thirty? That’s so cute!
He was your first kiss? How romantic!
You saw him again after ten years and wanted him to fuck you raw? Bless yer cottons!
We arrived at the big Dwarfoods in town, the one that had a clothing department and everything.
“Do you want your hoodie back, Lewis?” Noah peeked out of the car window. “It’s raining out there.”
He’s so adorable.
“I’m fat enough to stay warm in this,” I patted my stomach and inched my head at the pissing rain lashing against the car windows.
Noah lightly punched my bicep. “Shut up, you’re perfect.” His lips slammed shut, and he looked mortified at what he’d blurted out.
“Never said I wasn’t. Fat is not a bad word, Bright.” I winked. “Let’s go.” I waited for him, my shirt almost soaked through by the time he unfroze and clambered out.
Perfect?
We ran and only stopped once we were through to the revolving door, both huffing and puffing.
“Shit,” Noah wheezed, holding a stitch in his side, “I need to do more cardio.”
“Tell me about it,” I grumbled.
“If you want to go running with me sometime, just let me know. Peer pressure and all. When I can afford actual workout clothes that is.” His voice trailed off.
“You know, Bright, I might just take you up on it. Bet I can still beat you.” I also wasn’t opposed to a different kind of cardio we could do together.
We’d raced each other often as kids, slender Noah, lithe and fast, and me, the tiger hybrid, big and strong, even at a young age.
“You wish, Sinclair.” He huffed the words and cocked an eyebrow at me, drowning in my hoodie. He was so fuckingadorableit nearly brought me to my knees.
