12. Noah
Chapter twelve
Noah
Heated passenger doors and gym mirrors.
~ One Week Later ~
I’m anxious as I make my way up to Veronica’s condo. Today is a big day for me, something I never thought I’d ever be doing. I’m taking her to see my sister.
When she asked to meet her, I didn’t think she’d want to go so soon.
Another part of me thought she might have offered only to be nice but didn’t actually want to.
But then yesterday, she asked when I was planning on going and if she could come along.
So I told her I was going today, and here we are.
I knock on the door and wait. Aubrey opens it a few seconds later since she rang me in and knew I was coming up. “Morning, sweetheart.” I kiss her cheek like I always do.
“Good morning, Noah,” she says as she turns bright red.
I chuckle. “What are you going to do when you have a boyfriend, Aubrey?”
She smiles with a soft giggle. “Hope he finds my incessant blushing endearing. At least long enough to fall in love with me.”
“If he’s smart, he’ll fall in love the moment he lays eyes on you,” I tell her, genuinely meaning it. I’ve known Aubrey for a few years now, and aside from her shyness, I’ve yet to find any flaws.
Her blush deepens. “That’s really sweet of you to say, Noah.”
I smile and go to reply but spot Veronica coming into view from the hall, and my mouth goes dry. Veronica always looks good, but right now, she takes my breath away.
She’s not in her usual clothing I’ve grown used to.
Instead, she wears a short, dusty blue dress that seems to be backless from what I can see.
Thin spaghetti straps rest on her shoulders, a slightly flared skirt falling from her hips, with her usual thigh-high stockings and black stilettos on her feet.
She’s also curled her hair beautifully with one side tucked behind her ear, and her makeup is stunningly done with dark blue eyeliner that wings at the tip and nude lipstick.
She smiles once she catches me staring and walks over. “Hey, Casanova.”
I swallow. “Hey, Kitten. Ready to go?” She nods in response.
“Where are you guys going?” Aubrey asks from beside us as she watches our interaction.
My mind suddenly goes blank as I open my mouth while searching for a good reason. Veronica came over yesterday, so technically, it’s her day off, and Aubrey knows that.
“There are a few things I want to buy for their place to help with the organizing system I’ve put in place. I asked Noah to come with me to have his input as well, since he and Gabe will be the ones using it mostly,” Veronica provides quickly as an excuse, then smiles up at me.
God, I could kiss her right now.
“Oh, okay. Well, have fun,” Aubrey says sweetly.
“We will,” I call back as we head for the door. Once back outside and in the safety of my car, I turn to Veronica. “Thank you for that, what you said to Aubrey.”
She leans her head against the seat and looks at me. “I wasn’t going to tell her where we’re really going. I know you don’t want others knowing, and I respect that.”
“Well, again, thank you.” I take her hand, locking our fingers together, and kiss the back of her palm.
In the three weeks she’s been working for us, the progress in our relationship is striking. Holding hands has become something we do regularly. Even the eye rolls or feisty comebacks have lessened, although Ellis still gets those occasionally.
“You look beautiful, by the way,” I tell her, before starting the car and pulling out onto the road.
“Thank you,” she says with a soft smile when I peek at her. “Do you think she’ll like it?” She plays with the hem of her dress.
I frown in confusion. “Who?”
She’s quiet for a second before answering my question. “Trinity.”
My heart squeezes at the single word spoken from her lips. The single name. She’s talking as if my sister will be sitting up, waiting in her bed for us. Not an immobilized vessel just waiting to die.
I swallow around the lump of emotions fighting in my throat and clear it. “Yeah, Kitten. She’ll love it. Blue is actually her favorite color.”
She smiles again. “I can’t wait to meet her.” She squeezes my hand, then turns to look out the window.
The rest of the drive is done in silence as my nerves grow with every mile we gain until we reach the facility, and I find my hands clammy. I let go of Veronica’s and wipe them down my jeans, taking a deep breath. I can sense her watching me from the side, but I don’t dare look.
I don’t understand why I’m freaking out right now.
“If this is too much, Noah, it’s okay. I can just wait in the car while you go see her.” She places her slim hand on my forearm.
I look over at her, taking the time to breathe, then shake my head. “No, I want you to come with me. It’s just all new. I’m used to being alone.”
“Well, you don’t have to be alone anymore, Noah. You have me,” she whispers.
I don’t think she realizes how desperately I want those words to be true. How deeply I want to have her as mine in every sense of the word.
I nod and open my car door, stepping out, then walk over and open hers as I help her to her feet.
She takes my hand in hers with a smile as we make our way inside.
Once on the right floor, I spot Jannice and Everly, another nurse, chatting behind the counter.
I walk up to them, unsure how to do things from here.
“Hey, Jannice. Everly.”
“Oh! Hi, Noah!” Jannice beams up at me.
“Congrats on your big win! We were all rooting for you guys,” Everly says.
“Thanks.” I smile, then look over at my Kitten. “This is Veronica.” I hesitate for a split second before deciding on what to say. “My girlfriend.” I’m not sure how she’ll react to that, but I thought it was the best way to get her in. I’m not even sure if I’m allowed to bring people with me or not.
Veronica’s expression doesn’t change. She keeps that pretty smile on her face, but I didn’t miss the slight squeeze in my hand when the words fell out of me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
Everly and Jannice smile at her and introduce themselves in return. I notice Jannice peeking at me with a sliver of disappointment in her eyes, but I ignore it. There was never going to be anything between us, and after five years, she should have realized that.
“So, do I have to sign her in or something?” I finally ask.
“Oh, no. You can just go on. But if you want to give her access to come alone, then yes, you’ll have to sign an authorization form. But we can take care of that after the visit is done, since it takes a little time to fill out,” Everly informs me.
“Okay. Well then, we’ll head in.”
I turn away from the counter and guide Veronica toward Trinity’s room. When my hand reaches for the knob, I notice a small tremble in it. I’m never nervous. Not like this. But something about this moment tugs at every cell in my body.
I guess the fear of not knowing how Veronica will act once she’s faced with my practically lifeless sister’s body is starting to grow stronger. But I shove those worries down and push the door open.
Taking a few steps in, she lets go of my hand and walks farther into the room, looking around as I close the door silently behind me. I don’t move from my spot, simply examine her as she gazes at the pictures on the dresser with a smile, then turns to look at my sister and back at me.
“May I?” She tilts her head toward the chair beside Trinny’s bed.
I nod, unable to speak at this moment.
She wanders over slowly, then sits down beside my sister. “Hi, Trinity. It’s lovely to finally meet you. I wish I could say I’ve heard a lot about you, but your brother tends to like keeping you to himself.” She chuckles.
“I’m not sure if you know who I am, but my name’s Veronica, and I’m a good friend of Noah’s.
” She shakes her head. “Actually, what am I saying? Of course, you’ve heard about me.
This guy is practically obsessed with me.
I bet he spends all his time talking about me when he’s here.
” This time she really laughs. “We’ll just pretend I don’t know about it.
” When she peeks back at me, she winks, then returns her focus to my sister.
Veronica gazes down at my sister with a tender smile. “You’re very beautiful, Trinity. I bet you made your brother’s life hell growing up, with all the boys that must have been running after you.”
I snort because she has no idea how true that is. I feel like all my youth was dedicated to batting away all male species from my sister. They were drawn to her like moths to a flame.
She leans in closer to her and says in a whispered voice, “So, tell me. Do you have any embarrassing stories about Noah when he was younger? Maybe some bad acne when he hit puberty? Trying to do the dirty with a pie and burning himself? Making out with his cousin before finding out she’s related to him? ”
I laugh, unable to hold it in. “Where are you getting these ridiculous ideas?”
“Shush, this discussion does not concern you. It’s between me and Trinity.” She bats me away with her hand.
I step closer to them and sit on the edge of the bed. “Actually, I’m pretty sure it does. Since I’m the main topic.”
She rolls her eyes. “Ugh, men.” So, I guess we aren’t exactly done with the eye rolls for me either.
She grabs my sister’s hand and gives it a small shake.
“Come on, girl. Don’t leave me hanging. You need to give me something I can tell all our friends about.
Just one story. I refuse to believe he’s this perfect. ”
“You think I’m perfect?” I ask, shocked.
She opens her mouth to say something but then shakes her head and lifts her free hand at her side. “I plead the fifth.”
I chuckle as she looks at me with a smile.