Chapter 11
Noah
“It’s not too late to back out,” I mutter as I hold the door open for Hannah. “I won’t hold it against you.”
She laughs and pats my chest. “Let’s do this, sugar daddy.”
I snort, slipping my hand into hers and squeezing. “Don’t lay it on too thick.”
“Is he here?” she asks, peering around the busy bakery.
It’s nine twenty-five, so we’re technically early, but of course Dad’s already here. “The guy in the navy suit with a stick up his arse in the corner. Last chance. Are you sure about this?”
Hannah rolls her eyes and drags me over to the table.
“Hi, Mr Bentley,” she says sweetly, holding her free hand out. “I’m Hannah. It’s lovely to meet you.”
My father’s gaze locks on our entwined hands before he reaches for Hannah’s outstretched one. “The pleasure is mine,” he says in a tone that conveys it’s anything but. He waves for us to sit down across from him.
I pull out her chair before taking the seat next to her as a waitress places three cups of coffee in front of us.
“I took the liberty of ordering while I waited.”
“Of course you did,” I mutter.
Dad ignores me. “So, Hannah,” he says, folding his hands on the table, “how long have you and Noah been seeing each other?”
“Two and a half months,” she answers without a beat, gazing at me with a soft smile. “We were paired together for a business ethics assignment. I guess I couldn’t resist his charm.”
Dad’s brow lifts. “You’re studying business?”
My fists clench at his condescending tone. “She’s one of the smartest—”
Hannah squeezes my knee under the table in warning. “Yes, sir. I’m hoping to go into marketing or brand management.”
Dad gives a curt nod. “Ambitious.”
I turn away so he doesn’t see my eye roll, but when I look over Hannah’s shoulder, I notice Zac standing at the counter with the two girls he was with after the game last night.
The blonde is waving her hands around, but when Zac gestures back, I realise they’re communicating in sign language.
The brunette laughs and touches his arm, and he smiles an easy, crooked smile that does something to my insides.
“—Noah?” Hannah’s voice tugs me back. She smiles and reaches up to cup my cheek, bringing my attention to her. “Everything okay, babe?”
“Yeah,” I say, forcing a smile. She’s playing her role to perfection. I owe her big time. “Sorry, I just zoned out.”
Dad frowns. “You might want to pay attention when someone’s talking to you.”
“Sorry, baby,” I apologise again, leaning over to press my lips to her temple. “I’m tired after the game last night.”
It’s not a lie. I left Carter’s after coming up with this plan with Hannah, but I tossed and turned all night.
It didn’t help that the chick Dane brought home was a screamer.
They finally fell asleep around three, but when my alarm went off at six for recovery, I don’t think I’d had a wink of sleep.
The waiter delivers a selection of different pastries to the table, and I force myself to eat despite the massive rock sitting in the pit of my stomach.
“So, is this serious?” Dad asks once we’ve eaten most of the food, his eyes laser-focused on me.
“I imagine you’re both busy with studies and other extracurricular activities, like soccer.
” He doesn’t even spare Hannah a look when he adds, “You know Noah will be returning to Perth after graduation?”
“It’s serious,” I snap, my patience wearing thin.
Hannah jumps in, her tone calm but confident. “We’re taking things one day at a time. I really like Noah, and we’ll work everything out when the time arises.”
“Hmm.” He doesn’t look convinced.
“Who knows,” I say, noticing Zac looking over at us. I place my arm around Hannah and pull her closer. “I haven’t decided what I’ll do after graduation. Maybe I’ll follow you to Sydney.”
Her lips part in surprise, and I lean in to kiss her, ignoring the huff of indignation from my father.
There’s still no zing of pleasure, nothing that excites me or makes my body thrum for more.
It’s nothing more than kissing a friend, but when I pull away, I shoot her a lazy smile and swipe my thumb over her bottom lip.
“You have responsibilities in Perth,” Dad says in a bored tone, and I want to reach across the table and punch him in the mouth. “However, if this is as serious as you say it is, perhaps Hannah should join us for your grandfather’s seventieth birthday celebrations in July.”
I swallow, trying not to let the panic show on my face. This arrangement was only supposed to be for today to get him off my back. July is three months away.
Before I can say anything, Hannah rests her hand on my chest and smiles at my father. “I’d love to come. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Fantastic. I know my parents will be thrilled to meet Noah’s first girlfriend.”
His words hit like a knife to the gut, and I ignore Hannah’s curious gaze.
“Awesome,” I mutter. Checking my watch, I push back from the table. “Hey, babe, we’ve got to get going. We’re meeting your friends for that hike at Eagle Peak in half an hour.”
It’s a bullshit lie, but Hannah doesn’t falter. “Right,” she says, taking my hand and allowing me to pull her to her feet. “It was really lovely meeting you, Mr Bentley. I look forward to meeting the rest of the family in July.”
My father stands and buttons his suit jacket. “Yes, lovely to meet you, too.” He fixes his heavy stare on me. “I’ll be in touch with your flight details and to organise your collection from the airport.”
I don’t offer a formal farewell, placing my hand on the small of Hannah’s back and guiding her out of the café.
We don’t speak until we’re sitting in Jasper’s car, and I lean forward and rest my head on the steering wheel.
“Hey,” Hannah says, reaching over to rub my back. “That wasn’t so bad.”
I turn my head to look at her. “I’m sorry this has all been dragged out now. Please don’t feel like you have to come to my grandfather’s birthday. You didn’t sign on for that. I honestly thought he’d see you were real and drop it.”
Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. “Sorry if I overstepped by accepting the invitation. I was only trying to help.”
I lean over the centre console and pull her in for a hug, pressing my lips to the top of her head. “You didn’t overstep, and I appreciate you doing that for me. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to do this. I can figure it out if you want to bail.”
She shrugs when I lean back into my seat. “It’s not like I have any other dating prospects right now.”
I run a hand through my hair. “Hannah, you’re gorgeous, funny, and a really great catch. I don’t want to hold you back from actually finding a good guy.”
She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. “Okay, how about this? If I happen to find this so-called good guy in the next three months, then we’ll stage a break-up and you’ll go on your own to your grandad’s birthday.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Why are you doing this for me? I don’t deserve it.”
She drops her gaze to her lap, tracing her finger over the pattern on her dress.
“I don’t know why you think you’re not a nice guy, Noah.
You were upfront with me about not wanting a girlfriend, and I respect that.
I don’t think it’s fair for your dad to force you into marriage with someone you don’t like, so I’m happy to play my part in your freedom for as long as it takes. ”
My chest tightens at the reminder of the lie I told her. I reach over and squeeze her hand. “Thank you. You really are a good friend.”
“A great friend,” she teases.
“A great friend,” I agree, laughing.
Starting the car, I pull onto the road and drive towards campus, thankful that this morning went off without a hitch and I can breathe a little easier, at least for the next month.
“Can I ask you a question?” Hannah says as I pull into the car park out the front of her dorm.
“Shoot.”
“Your dad mentioned your grandparents would be excited to meet your first girlfriend…” She trails off as if unsure how to finish.
Forcing a chuckle, I raise a brow. “I’m not a virgin if that’s what you’re asking.”
I had sex with a girl back in high school. It was awkward and clumsy, and not a very memorable experience.
Her cheeks flush. “No. Ugh. That’s not what I meant. I was just curious as to why you’ve never had a girlfriend. Sorry. Forget it. It’s none of my business.”
She moves to open the car door, but I put a hand out to stop her.
“I’ve just never met someone I felt like I could introduce to my dad.”
It’s not a lie. My only relationship was with someone I knew I couldn’t take home to meet him, and when we got caught… it ended in disaster.
“Oh. Okay.” She pauses. “I also noticed he didn’t mention your mum?”
My chest tightens. “She left when I was two. I haven’t seen her since.”
“I’m so sorry, Noah.”
“It’s fine. I don’t know any different.”
I brush Hannah’s hair behind her ear, feeling like a jerk when she closes her eyes. She may say she’s okay with this arrangement, but I need to be careful she doesn’t get the wrong idea or foster any hope that I’ll change my mind.
“If this is going to work,” I tell her, “we need to be completely honest with each other.” As honest as I can be, anyway.
Her eyes flutter open, and she exhales before nodding. “I know.”
“I appreciate your help with all of this more than you’ll ever know.
But I don’t want a girlfriend right now, and that won’t change anytime soon.
I need you to understand that and be okay with being my friend and nothing more, otherwise we need to stop this immediately and I’ll find another way to deal with my father. ”
“I understand.”
“And if a nice guy happens to ask you out, I want you to say yes. I don’t want you putting your life on hold for me.”
“I won’t.”
“Good.”
She climbs out of the car but hesitates before closing the door. “See you in class tomorrow?”
I smile. “Save me a seat.”