Chapter 5
Chapter Five
NOAH
Between Caleb and me, we were only half joking about her showing us her appreciation, but it worked because she’s currently in her element being a fantastic hostess.
Everything is perfect, and I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t mean it.
Everything down to the most simple of touches, nothing has been left unaccounted for, and it shows in the presentation and attention to detail.
Not to mention the food, which is chef’s kiss perfection.
I can’t help but worry about Aspen. She was clingy when I left her earlier today. She’s also been very pushy, nudging me, and jumping up and pawing at me a lot more lately, yet her training is going well.
Maybe I’ll give Ryan a call and ask how she’s doing. He fostered Aspen before we adopted her, apart from him and Maggie there’s no one else we’re comfortable leaving her with.
We’ll be picking her up on our way home, hence why Caleb drove us here in the Cayenne. But I don’t know. I’m just worried about her. Is that a thing? Dad guilt over leaving her even though I know she’s in good hands?
My hand moves to my chest, beneath my suit jacket and around towards my armpit, where it feels slightly swollen. I think maybe I’ve strained myself while working out. I rub at the area but drop my hand when I hear Caleb’s voice.
“Are you alright?” he asks as he approaches, glancing at the way I’m leaning against the wall in the small hallway that is for staff only.
“Of course. Just contemplating calling Ryan to check on Aspen,” I admit.
His eyes soften as I push off the wall, and his hand goes to my nape.
“She’s probably fine, but if it makes you feel better, there’s no harm in checking just to be sure.”
I smile. He might not admit it, but Aspen has him wrapped around her paw just as much as me and Jessica.
“Then you’re needed back out there so we can make a toast to our girl.” He leans in, giving me a chaste kiss before turning back the way he came.
Pulling out my phone, I bring up Ryan’s number, and the call connects on the second ring.
“I thought you would have rung sooner,” he says, humour lacing his voice upon answering.
“Was I that obvious when I dropped her off?” I ask, leaning back against the wall.
He laughs. “Just a tad. There was a little separation anxiety there for a minute, but she’s all good now. She’s running around with Marlo.”
I nod, that’s good at least. “Oh, thanks man. I was just worried, she seemed a little clingy before I drove off.”
“I’m sure once she realises you’ll always be there to pick her up and bring her home, she’ll be more settled.”
He’s probably right, she’s a rescue after all.
“Now go, get back to Caleb and Jessica, and tell her again I said congratulations. Vanessa and I look forward to coming there once it’s officially opened.”
“It’s on me,” I reply.
Whatever retort he has on the tip of his tongue, I cut him off before he can voice it.
“Ryan, it’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done for us.”
He sighs but accepts, although I expect him to try his luck and pay when he arrives; not going to happen.
I push off the wall, and we say our goodbyes before I slip my phone into the inside pocket of my suit jacket, my hand brushing over my chest again.
Elliot enters through the staff-only door, smiling when he sees me.
I tilt my head to the side, confused by his appearance but also pleased to see that spark again, the one I thought he’d never get back after being injured. But River and Lily—the guys, they’re what he needed. Proof that everything works out as it should.
“Hey man, Jessica said I could come through to call a client,” he says, holding up the phone in his hand.
“Yeah, of course,” I reply.
Walking deeper into the hallway, he stops a few steps away from me. “Everything okay?” he asks, his gaze roaming over my face.
It’s sometimes easy to forget how intuitive Elliot can be.
I clear my throat, my hand dropping to my side. “Yeah, of course, just checking on Aspen,” I reply.
He studies me for a beat, but I can tell he’s still unconvinced.
“You know I’m here anytime you want to talk, grab a drink.” He glances over his shoulder. “I think Caleb might be thawing out a little where I’m concerned.”
I throw my head back and laugh at that because, yeah, I suppose he is.
“I think it helps that you’re very much taken now,” I admit.
That full-on smile returns at my words. “Yeah, I am.”
He glances to the floor and then back to my face. “But I mean it, Noah.”
I reach out and grip his shoulder.
“Thanks, man, and the same to you. I need to get back out there. Caleb wants to make a toast soon.”
He nods. “Of course, I just need to check in on this client, and then I’ll be right out. The last thing I want is to earn Caleb’s wrath.”
My lips curl into a smile. “River really is rubbing off on you, isn’t he?”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “That and then some.”
I shake my head, but my smile remains as I leave him to make his call.
Walking back into the restaurant, I note all of our close friends and those we consider family talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves. It warms my heart to see Jessica standing amongst them, a glass of champagne in her hand.
Her freckles are more prominent due to the nice weather we’ve been having, even with the sunscreen she wears.
She’s naturally fair, and we’ve quickly found out she tends to burn quickly, so we have plenty of suntan lotion in various factors.
Courtesy of Caleb, of course, he ensured it’s in her daily moisturiser.
It’s one of the many reasons I love that man.
She looks stunning in her dress, but then again, she always does, whether she’s in a tatty old t-shirt or dressed up to the nines.
Jessica has come so fucking far in the past few years.
It still hurts when I recall how she turned up on our doorstep, bloody and bruised.
A shell of the young woman we met at Mason’s birthday party, it was hard to reconcile the two.
I stare at her now. Her newfound confidence is visceral, the way her skin glows, and her smile radiates warmth. The strength and tenacity it’s taken for her to find happiness are inspiring.
It makes me think of my mum. I try not to let my memories and mind go there.
More often than not, the grief is still like a dagger to the heart.
I often wonder if she would have found the same happiness if she’d been able to escape my sociopathic, narcissistic, abusive sperm donor.
But life never dealt her that hand; the opportunity to start again.
Cancer took her before she ever got the chance.
Deep down, I have to believe that if things had been different, she’d have walked away.
It’s something I often battle with, the what-ifs.
I try to shake off the cascade of melancholy thoughts because today is not the day.