28. On the Road Again #2
"Scariest thing that's ever happened to me on a flight.
Definitely on the 'never again' list." Noah took another drink and set the glass on the table.
This was the first time the team had been together since his and Claire's adventure, and they were full of questions.
Once again, they'd kept the retelling light, sharing the funny highlights.
At the moment, he was more interested in the dark-haired girl with impressive piercings sitting at the end of the table, to Claire's right.
The infamous Lucinda, whom she constantly talked about, had joined them for dinner this evening.
Dressed all in black with a tousled hairstyle and knee-high biker boots, she couldn't look more different from Claire's bohemian layered look that made the redhead seem like a sweet, innocent young woman.
Sugar and spice. He wasn't sure which one to be more wary of.
Lucinda caught his eye and raised her glass in a mock toast. He lifted his back, acknowledging that just as he'd been studying her, she'd been watching him as well. He wondered what Claire had said about him. Did Lucinda know about their impromptu make-out sessions?
His gaze drifted back to Claire and he noticed her plate was still mostly full. He leaned over and placed a hand on the back of her chair. "You doing okay? You didn't eat much."
She smiled at him. "Yeah, I'm good. Probably a mix of jet lag, brain melt from information overload, and excitement over seeing Lucinda." She patted his hand. "Thanks for asking."
"Sure. Oh, I meant to tell you thanks for checking on me after the flight.
" When he'd taken his phone off airplane mode, a text from Claire came through, telling him she'd made it safely and asking him to hit her back when he landed so she wouldn't worry.
"The first flight alone after a near miss is a doozy. "
Claire nodded, but stopped when Lucinda pushed back from the table.
"Well, I've got to leave now to catch my ride back," Lucinda said.
"Oh no. Already?" Claire stood and gave her friend a hug. "Thanks for coming. It meant a lot."
"Always. Who do I pay for my share?" Lucinda glanced around the table.
Noah realized with Simon stuck back at the hotel working on monthly reports, he was the most senior person present. He spoke up. "Don't worry about it. The company's picking up our tab, and you're basically filling in for Simon tonight."
Lucinda raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
"Positive." He rose and shook her hand. "It was great to meet you."
The others echoed their goodbyes as Claire walked Lucinda out. By the time she returned, the check was paid and everyone was bundling into coats. She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Noah watched her rub her arms like she was trying to shake something off.
Larry caught the shift too. "I'm not ready to call it a night. Let's hit the club we passed on the way over. Grab a drink and play a round of pool?"
Noah saw Rick size her up, then nod. "Yeah, I'm up for that. How about you, Claire? Game of pool to cheer you up?"
She looked around the table, eyebrows raised. It took her a second to realize they were trying to lift her spirits. Her smile turned genuine and a bit watery. Uh oh.
"You okay?" he asked quietly, stepping closer.
"Yes," she said, dabbing at the corner of her eye with a napkin. "Just a little emotional whiplash. It's been a long day. You guys are sweet. Let's go."
Claire's giggle came again, and Noah looked over to see what was so funny.
One hand rested on Larry's shoulder and the other held a tall glass of an amber-colored liquid.
She took a sip, then doubled over laughing at something Del had said.
His brow lifted. Claire wasn't usually a toucher, so seeing her casually draped over Larry was… unexpected.
Their group had claimed two standing tables near a pool table at the back of the club. He and Claire had mingled, but hadn't managed a moment alone. Watching her sway to the music, still nursing that drink, he decided now might be a good time to wander over and check on her.
"What's up with Claire?" Rick asked, appearing at his elbow.
"Not sure, but something's off, right?"
Rick snorted. "Yeah, like she would give Larry the time of day."
He watched as she stumbled into Del. When Larry reached for her, he said, "That's it. I'm going to check on her."
Rick picked up his drink and followed him.
Larry saw them coming and grinned. "See, Noah? Claire thinks I'm funny. She appreciates my jokes."
Noah ignored him. "Claire, what are you drinking?"
"Some kind of special iced tea. The bartender made it just for me. It's yummy. You want a taste?" She held out her glass to him with a proud little smile.
Noah bent down to sniff it and jerked back. He gently removed the drink from her hands and set it on the table. "Did the bartender by chance call it a Long Island iced tea?"
"I don't remember." She hiccuped, then covered her mouth with her hand and burst into giggles again.
Noah looked at Rick, who wasn't even trying to hide his grin. Noah gave him a nod, then moved around to gather Claire's purse and jacket while Rick sidled up next to her. "Hey, Claire… this is an alcoholic beverage. And a pretty potent one."
"Wh-what? That's not right. He said it was an iced tea. OMG. Am I drunk?" She blinked up at the lights. "I thought it was the strobes messing with me. You know, epileptics and flashy lights?" She snorted and laughed again.
"Definitely a lightweight," Rick whispered to Noah.
"Right," Noah said. "Let's get you back to your room, okay?" He put one arm around her and Rick took the other side.
"Hey, she was having fun. Party poopers!" Larry cried foul, and Del snickered.
Noah glared at them. "What is wrong with you two? Did you have anything to do with this? She has a medical condition, you morons!"
Their faces turned serious. Del held up his hands and shook his head. Larry went still.
"I didn't know. I thought she was just loosening up," Del said.
Larry jumped in. "Noah, you know I joke around a lot, but I would never get someone drunk on purpose. She came over with that drink and I never thought twice about it. We were just having a good time. Telling stupid jokes."
Claire belched. All eyes turned to her and everyone burst out laughing. Noah let his anger go. What was wrong with him? The guys wouldn't do this on purpose.
Rick laughed. "You okay, Claire?"
"Yeah. You walking me home, Rick?" Claire's question shifted Noah's focus back to her as he and Rick guided her toward the door.
"Yep. Don't worry, Noah and I will make sure you get to your room safe. That's what good teammates do for each other."
"You are such a nice man, Rick. You're going to be such a great daddy." Claire beamed up at him, and Rick's face turned pink. Noah figured that must be what it looks like when someone's heart melted.
They frog-walked Claire up the street to the hotel and Rick left them at her room door, trusting Noah to get her inside safe and sound. Noah found her room key in the outside pocket of her purse and held her steady while opening the door.
"C'mon, Red, let's get you comfortable," he said as he sat her on the bed and took off her boots. He tried to recall if she'd mentioned any ill effects with her medication from drinking alcohol, but all he could remember was her mentioning sleeping hard.
"You want to stay the night, handsome?" She reached her hand out and touched his face.
Noah froze. Why, y es. Yes, I do. "Not a good idea, cupcake. Everyone saw me walk you home. What kind of rumor do you think that would start?"
"I don't care." She stuck out her lip in a pout, then fell over sideways on the bed. "Lucinda thinks you're hot, too."
He paused. "Does she, now?" He wasn't sure what to do with that information.
"Yep. She told me. And she thinks you—," Claire poked his chest as he bent over to lift her legs up onto the bed.—"like me. A lot."
"I see."
She giggled while he found the room's extra blanket to drape over her so she wouldn't get cold.
His lips twitched at her silliness. Claire was a happy drunk.
Her eyes drifted shut, but she opened them again as he pulled the blanket up to her chin. "I wouldn't mind, you know. If you stayed? We've slept together before." She smiled dreamily and ran her fingers up his arm and into his hair.
God, she was tempting. But not like this.
He gently pried her fingers out of his hair and tucked them back under the covers.
He bent over and kissed her forehead. "I'd like you to be you when we sleep together again.
" He brushed back a strand of hair. "Sweet dreams, Red.
" When he pulled back, she was already breathing deeply.
Noah filled a glass with water and placed it on the nightstand, then put her room key on the dresser next to her purse. He looked around to see if anything else needed his attention, and seeing nothing, took one more look at Claire. His heart melted. She looked like an angel with a fiery red halo.
He smiled before stepping out and softly pulling the door closed behind him.
A quick twist of the knob confirmed the door was locked.
Satisfied she was safe, Noah headed back to the party down the street.
He wasn't interested in the club, but wanted to protect her reputation and make sure no one thought he'd stayed in her room overnight.