10. Hard Launching the Manwhore #2
“It is a matter of some debate,” Milton adds. “Truth or not, we still celebrate. The town square will be blocked off for the event, and parking is limited. We ask those who live within walking distance to leave their vehicles at home.”
He takes a sip from a glass of water and flips through a messy stack of papers. “Now, where was I?”
Janet leans over and whispers in his ear, scanning the crowd before looking at me, then Clio.
“Right.” Milton straightens the papers against the desk and sets the back down. “Second order of business. Let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we?”
Janet’s devious smile unsettles me.
“It has come to the attention of the council that our very own Noah Weston and beloved preschool teacher, Clio Marsden, have been seen canoodling.”
Clio elbows me in the ribs, amusement evident in her tone when she says, “See. Canoodling. I told you so.”
“You’re insufferable,” I whisper.
“While we don’t make a habit of meddling in the love lives of our residents, there has been some legitimate concern. Namely, what will happen when this relationship dissolves. Will we be forced to take sides? How will the fallout affect Noah’s business and Clio’s students?”
What the fuck.
Clio stands, putting her ass within my eyeline.
Shit. Don’t look at her ass.
The last thing I need right now is a boner.
She straightens her spine, clasping her hands together. “With all due respect, our relationship is really none of the town’s business.”
She starts to sit back down but seems to think better of it. “And one more thing.” She points her finger aggressively at the council. “I don’t appreciate the assumption that our relationship is doomed before I even make it down the aisle.”
“You’re new in town, Clio, so you don’t know better, but Noah is what us old folks would call a Casanova.”
“He means manwhore,” Janet chimes in. “Or… what’s that new-fangled term the kids are using these days?”
“Fuckboy,” someone in the front row calls out.
Janet slaps the table. “Yes. Thank you, Micah.”
Milton affectionately pats her hand above the table. “Thank you, Janet darling. I think they get the idea.”
“People change. Noah is a good, hardworking man and a wonderful uncle.”
Warmth spreads through me with each determined word out of her mouth in my defense. I know she doesn't mean any of them, but I’ve never had anyone stand up for me before. Not like this.
“But since you want to talk about my relationship with Noah, how about we address what’s clearly happening between two of our council members?” Clio says. “Milton, Janet… What do you have to say for yourselves? There’s clearly a conflict of interest here.”
A rush of pride surges through me, so strong and sudden it nearly knocks me on my ass.
That’s my girl.
No. Fuck. Not mine.
“Janet and I are very good friends,” Milton says. “We have been close for years. There is not and never has been anything romantic between us.”
Clio snorts. “Sure. Whatever you say.”
Ben widens his eyes and jerks his head toward Clio.
I narrow my gaze at him, mouthing, “What?”
“Help her,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Yeah,” Quinn says. “Show them you’re a changed man.”
“How the hell am I supposed to do that?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. Figure it out.”
I look back to Ben for help, but he just holds up his hands, mirroring my wide-eyed expression.
“Fucking hell.”
I stand and wrap my arm around Clio’s waist, pulling her against my side. She glances up at me and smiles, her green eyes sparkling in the harsh overhead lighting. Her delicate hand presses against my chest, and my heart pounds out a dramatic rhythm.
In a steady voice, I say, “We don’t need your permission to be together, and even if we did, I wouldn’t give one flying fuck what any of you think.”
Teddy scoffs. “Come on, Noah. She’s not exactly your type.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“It’s not like you to be tied down, especially not to a single mom with way too much baggage.”
My jaw ticks. “Nobody talks about my woman that way. Apologize.”
Clio’s hand cradles my jaw, forcing my gaze back to her. “Noah. It’s fine. Let it go.”
Her touch grounds me, her voice a balm to the fury that’s still simmering beneath the surface.
“Theodore Sinclair,” Janet chastises. “That was uncalled for.”
The council starts bickering back and forth, but I’m too goddamn captivated to care. I may never understand this hold Clio has on me, but I’m helpless to fight against it.
I tuck the lock of blonde hair behind her ear and let my knuckles brush the side of her cheek.
“Is this convincing enough or should I kiss you?” I whisper for only Clio to hear.
Her breath hitches as she stares up at me. “I think”—she swallows and breaks eye contact—“I think that was more than enough.”
I drop my hand from her cheek, but I don’t let her go, too caught up in the moment to consider how dangerous it is to linger like this. “What do you say we get out of here?”
She nods, and I take her hand in mine, pulling her along with me out of the exit without another word.
“Slow down,” she says through a laugh, jogging to keep pace with me until we’re outside in the alley.
“I think you’ve made your point.” She presses her back to the brick wall and stares up at the sky, smiling from ear to ear.
“That’s one way to hard launch a relationship.
Are your first dates always this dramatic? ”
That relentless tug in my chest resurfaces, swift and painful. “I’m glad you find this amusing. Personally, I’m tired of this town meddling in my life.”
“They mean well.”
I huff out an indignant breath.
Truth be told, I envy Clio. What would it be like to face the day filled with hope and optimism rather than this bitter cynicism that’s been a staple in my life for as long as I can remember?
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” And I have a feeling the road to hell is the path I set us on as soon as I started this thing. There’s no going back now. Might as well enjoy the view. “Wanna grab something to eat?”
“Say less. I’m starving.”