She turns to her husband with a gaping mouth. “You knew about this and didn’t tell me!? I’m shocked. Absolutely shocked.”
“Sorry, babe. I’ll make it up to you later, promise. But Clay’s got a point, though, how would that all work out?” Silas asks with a raised brow.
I grunt. “Can we stop with this ridiculous conversation? There’s no relationship. I’m not getting married. I’m not having any babies, and I’m not dating either of them. So, drop it!” I shout, causing silence to fall on the room. I get a mumbled apology from Silas and Clay as everyone else carries on with their own things.
When I gaze down at Noah, I find him looking down and frowning, then I turn to Gabe in the kitchen and notice him carrying a sad expression as well. I instantly feel bad for my comment, but I shouldn’t. This is my life. I decide who I want to be in a relationship with. I decide who I want to marry and have children with.
So why do I feel like shit knowing my words may have disappointed them?
Chapter twelve
Noah
Heated passenger doors and gym mirrors.
~ One Week Later ~
I’m anxious as I make my way up to Veronica’s condo. Today is a big day for me, something I never thought I’d ever be doing. I’m taking her to see my sister.
When she asked to meet her, I didn’t think she’d want to go so soon. Another part of me thought she might have offered only to be nice but didn’t actually want to. But then yesterday, she asked when I was planning on going and if she could come along. So I told her I was going today, and here we are.
I knock on the door and wait. Aubrey opens it a few seconds later since she rang me in and knew I was coming up. “Morning, sweetheart.” I kiss her cheek like I always do.
“Good morning, Noah,” she says as she turns bright red.
I chuckle. “What are you going to do when you have a boyfriend, Aubrey?”
She smiles with a soft giggle. “Hope he finds my incessant blushing endearing. At least long enough to fall in love with me.”
“If he’s smart, he’ll fall in love the moment he lays eyes on you,” I tell her, genuinely meaning it. I’ve known Aubrey for a few years now, and aside from her shyness, I’ve yet to find any flaws.
Her blush deepens. “That’s really sweet of you to say, Noah.”
I smile and go to reply but spot Veronica coming into view from the hall, and my mouth goes dry. Veronica always looks good, but right now, she takes my breath away.
She’s not in her usual clothing I’ve grown used to. Instead, she wears a short, dusty blue dress that seems to be backless from what I can see. Thin spaghetti straps rest on her shoulders, a slightly flared skirt falling from her hips, with herusual thigh-high stockings and black stilettos on her feet. She’s also curled her hair beautifully with one side tucked behind her ear, and her makeup is stunningly done with dark blue eyeliner that wings at the tip and nude lipstick.
She smiles once she catches me staring and walks over. “Hey, Casanova.”
I swallow. “Hey, Kitten. Ready to go?” She nods in response.
“Where are you guys going?” Aubrey asks from beside us as she watches our interaction.
My mind suddenly goes blank as I open my mouth while searching for a good reason. Veronica came over yesterday, so technically, it’s her day off, and Aubrey knows that.
“There are a few things I want to buy for their place to help with the organizing system I’ve put in place. I asked Noah to come with me to have his input as well, since he and Gabe will be the ones using it mostly,” Veronica provides quickly as an excuse, then smiles up at me.
God, I could kiss her right now.
“Oh, okay. Well, have fun,” Aubrey says sweetly.
“We will,” I call back as we head for the door. Once back outside and in the safety of my car, I turn to Veronica. “Thank you for that, what you said to Aubrey.”
She leans her head against the seat and looks at me. “I wasn’t going to tell her where we’re really going. I know you don’t want others knowing, and I respect that.”
“Well, again, thank you.” I take her hand, locking our fingers together, and kiss the back of her palm.
In the three weeks she’s been working for us, the progress in our relationship is striking. Holding hands has become something we do regularly. Even the eye rolls or feisty comebacks have lessened, although Ellis still gets those occasionally.
