Chapter 12 #2
“You do,” Noah says. “You smell good too.”
I turn in his arms so I can face him. “I’m surprised to see you back inside. I thought you might camp out with the goats tonight.”
“I was tempted,” he says, “but I was also hungry.” He reaches over my shoulder and plucks a stuffed mushroom off the tray, then pops it into his mouth. His eyes close as he chews and he lets out a little moan that makes my blood heat.
New favorite activity: watching Noah Hawthorne enjoy his food.
“If you ever have the chance, you should really come back when the restaurant’s open,” he says as he reaches for another mushroom. “It’s the best food I’ve ever eaten, and I’m not just saying that because Lennox is family.”
“Lennox is the chef?”
Noah nods.
“An award-winning chef and a famous movie star in the same family feels very glamorous.”
“Honestly, they’re all ridiculously talented,” Noah says. “Which would be annoying if they weren’t also ridiculously likable.”
“What about your brothers?” I help myself to a cracker topped with baked brie and sour cherry jam. “I feel like we talked about your childhood, but I don’t think you’ve mentioned what they’re doing now.”
Behind us, the kitchen is bustling with activity, with caterers coming in and out, refreshing appetizer trays or working on dinner prep. But in this corner, over by the espresso machine, Noah and I are mostly out of the way.
I wouldn’t say we have enough privacy for any real conversation, but for something this casual, I’m happy to ignore the fact that we aren’t as alone as we were last night.
“My brothers,” Noah says, like the subject brings him some level of amusement. “They’re great guys. Smart and talented. But sometimes I feel like we’re living on different planets.”
“In what way?”
“Let’s see. Mason has an MBA, and he’s always made tons of money, even though I don’t think he’s ever liked any of the jobs he’s had.
Then there’s Spencer. He went to law school but never took the bar, deciding instead to open a consulting firm.
He’s very strategic and he’s great with people, so he’s all about maximizing performance and creating good company culture.
But he started his company with zero experience.
He just decided he was going to do it, and then he did. ”
“Sounds brave?” I say.
“Now it seems brave because it worked,” Noah says. “But when he first started, it just seemed reckless. But all three of them are like that. They just do stuff.”
“I know people like that,” I say. “I get what you’re saying. What about the third one?”
Noah lets out a little chuckle. “That’s Will.
He went to one semester of college, then dropped out and moved to Europe where he hitchhiked across France, working odd jobs and learning everything he possibly could about wine.
He came home six months ago and convinced Mason and Spencer to buy a winery with him. ”
“Oh wow. That feels big.”
Noah scans the tray behind me. “Your face is saying you just took a bite of something really good.”
“Amazing,” I say, pointing to the brie-topped crackers. “Right there. Try one of those.”
Noah picks one up, then grabs another and hands it to me.
“I guess it could be big?” he says, going back to the conversation about his brothers.
“I’m not sure I really understand everything they’re doing.
There’s an old hotel and a restaurant on the property, but that whole part of it is totally rundown.
Hasn’t been operable in years, so they’ve got their work cut out for them.
They convinced Flint to go in on it with them.
That’s how they could afford to buy it in the first place. ”
It’s interesting hearing Noah talk about his brothers. His expression is very stern, and though his tone isn’t quite judgmental, he definitely has an older brother vibe that I haven’t heard before.
“What?” Noah says, clearly reading my expression. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
I grin. “Tell me you're the oldest, most responsible brother without telling me you’re the oldest, most responsible brother.”
Noah gives me a sheepish grin. “I’m probably too hard on them.”
“I totally get it,” I say. “My brother is super protective of me. Annoyingly so sometimes.”
Noah’s eyebrows lift. “Should I be concerned about that?”
The question sends a thrill racing through me. Because it speaks of a future we haven’t talked about yet—a future I wasn’t sure Noah was going to want.
He must realize the same thing because he quickly backpedals. “Not that I’m saying we’re—or that we’re not. But if we were—if that’s something you wanted, then maybe—”
I lift a hand to his chest. “Hey,” I say, patting him gently.
His pectoral muscle twitches under my hand, and for a split second, I wonder what Noah might look like shirtless.
He’s broad-shouldered, with a trim waist, but I’ve only ever seen him in multiple layers, so there’s a lot left to the imagination.
Still, this is not the time or place to give in to that particular distraction, so I force myself to meet his gaze.
There’s a question there, and a healthy dose of trepidation, like he’s bracing himself for bad news. “Whatever you’re thinking, I want it,” I say. “I have no idea how or where or even when, but I’d like to try.”
He smiles, then picks up my hand, lifting it to his lips to press a kiss against the pad of my thumb. “Then I guess you should probably give me your number.”
I step a little closer, and he pulls me against him, wrapping his arms around my waist. “That is a very good idea.”
From the other room, a loud chorus of laughter erupts followed by cheers and applause.
I tilt my head in the direction of the noise. “I should probably go check on everyone. See if they’re ready for dinner.”
He nuzzles his nose into my hair. “Do you have to?” His lips are close enough that I feel their movement against my skin, and the sensation sends a cascade of gooseflesh down my arms.
“It’s why I’m here,” I say. “But you’re welcome to come with me.”
Noah leans back and grimaces, and I immediately start to laugh.
“Fine, forget I asked,” I say. “Go hide in your room while I host the party.” There’s something endearing about his reluctance to stay if only because it’s so completely Noah. And now I know him enough to realize as much.
“I’ll stay with you if you want me to,” Noah quickly says. “I promise I will.”
I lean up on my toes and press a quick kiss to his lips. “My words might have sounded teasing, but I meant them. I’ll be fine. Just a reminder, though: if Olivia hadn’t hired me for the week, it would probably be you hosting this party.”
“My cousin is brilliant,” he says. “Smartest woman on the planet. Well, second to you.”
“That was the right answer, Noah Hawthorne,” I say, then I let him pull me in for one last kiss.