Chapter Eighteen
NOAH
After being gone for two weeks, it felt good to be back at work.
It’s only been five days since I’ve returned to the gym, and I’m on high alert when in public.
I constantly look over my shoulder and double-check my surroundings.
The trauma of what’s happened affected my anxiety, so a couple days ago, I finally booked an appointment with a therapist. I won’t go for a few weeks due to their availability, but I think it’ll be good.
Even if I don’t like talking about my personal life to strangers.
Though I miss seeing Katie during her lunch breaks and at dinner, I’m hoping that will change after this weekend. I’ll never pressure her to make a decision about us even if she’s conflicted, but I want her to know where I stand.
Throughout the week, we've texted but have both been so busy with work that I only saw her once when she stopped by the gym during her lunch break. She took me by surprise when she kissed me goodbye, and it took every ounce of my strength not to lose control. I hadn’t expected it but was more than happy to kiss her again.
We’ve been talking about our date this weekend, and although she told me she’s still processing me being here, we’ve grown closer since then.
“How’s it goin’?” Tyler asks when he walks into the studio after his meeting. Smith and I have been hanging mirrors all morning.
“Good, almost done.” I wipe the sweat off my forehead.
“If y’all wanna take your lunch break, go ahead. I have some calls to make.”
“Oh my God,” Gemma squeals as she enters. “It’s looking so good!”
Tyler wraps his arm around her and grins. “Just the way you imagined it?”
She looks at him. “Even better.”
Leaning down, Tyler kisses her.
“Alright, let’s keep it PG,” Smith groans. “I don’t wanna get sick before I even eat.”
I chuckle at the disgusted expression on his face. Though we’re not close, I’ve learned a lot about him while being here. He lives a bachelor lifestyle and prefers it like that.
“Don’t be that way, Smith,” Gemma teases. “There’s still someone out there for you.”
With a scoff, he grabs his stuff and walks toward the door to leave. “Nah, hard pass.”
I smirk and shake my head when he’s out of sight.
“So a little birdie told me you’re making dinner for Katie tomorrow night.” Gemma beams.
“Yep, gonna celebrate her birthday.” I have about ten of them to make up for.
“Hope you know how lucky you are that she forgave you so fast.” Gemma crosses her arms. “So don’t screw this up.”
“Thanks for the confidence, sis.”
“Hormones,” Tyler mouths.
Gemma smacks his arm. “Oh shut it. I’m on your side, Noah, but Katie’s my best friend. I don’t want her to get hurt again.”
“Trust me, I don’t deserve her kindness and definitely not her, so I’m willing to do anything to make up for the pain I’ve caused. Hurting her is the last thing I’ve ever wanted. I won’t make the same mistake twice, and I’ll do anything to prove that to her.”
“I have no doubt you two will figure it out.” Tyler pats my shoulder.
“I’m just worried that I could be putting her and Owen in a dangerous situation, considering there’s a target on my back, so I’m not telling anyone,” I explain.
“Yeah, Aunt Loretta and Uncle Elliot would lose their shit.” She rolls her eyes. “But don’t worry about them. This is between you and Katie, and that’s all that matters. On the plus side, Katie’s parents are supportive no matter what, so you won’t have to worry about them.”
I nod because I’d like to keep it that way. If people knew we were hanging out again, it’d be the talk of the town. It’s the last thing either of us needs while we figure out what our future holds.
“Alright, go enjoy your lunch so we can start the flooring this afternoon,” Tyler says.
I grab the sandwich I packed and hang out in the back while I text Katie.
Noah
Just wanted you to know I’m thinking about you and can’t wait to see you tomorrow.
She must be on her break too because jumping dots appear on the screen.
Katie
Been thinking about you too and really excited for our date
After I told my dad about my plans for this weekend, he booked an overnight trip with Belinda at a romantic bed and breakfast in Mobile, the next town over. Now we’ll have the house to ourselves, and the thought makes me feel like a nervous teenager.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious as hell for today. Though I’m eager to make Katie’s birthday special, it won’t make up for the decade I was gone, but hopefully, it’s a start. After I shower, I send her a text.
Noah
I couldn’t wait till later to say Happy Birthday!
Katie
Thank you
Noah
Can’t wait to see you! I’m about to hit the grocery store to grab the food for our dinner. Anything particular you’d like me to get for dessert?
Katie
Surprise me!
Noah
You got it! See you soon
Tonight is all about her, and I’m ready to spoil her. If I’m being honest, I want more than just one evening with her. I want forever, and by the way her eyes soften when she looks at me, I think she might want the same.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been contemplating what to get her.
Anything materialistic doesn’t seem right, and we never bought each other those types of gifts when we were younger.
It was always something sentimental or homemade.
After thinking about it, I came up with an idea and can’t wait to see her reaction when I give it to her.
Heading into the grocery store, I grab two sirloin steaks and a couple of baked potatoes. After looking at the dessert options, I pick a tiramisu since she used to be crazy about it. Hopefully, she still is.
The wine section is a lot larger than it used to be, so it takes me a minute to find something that’ll pair with our meal. After grabbing a Cabernet, I stick it in the cart and think about what else I need.
“Noah,” someone calls out, and when I turn around, I see Brittany with her son behind her.
“Hey.” I smile. “How’re y’all doin’?”
“Great, just picking up some snacks for the park this afternoon. Anthony’s been askin’ when you’ll be free to play baseball with him.” She pins me with a stare, putting me in an awkward position.
“Oh, right. Well, I’m busy today but maybe next weekend?” I suggest to appease her.
Brittany beams. “That’d be great. We should exchange numbers, so we can plan a time.
” Before I can say a word, she pulls out her phone.
Gemma claims Brittany wants me to ask her out, but that’s not happening.
Even if I wasn’t head over heels in love with Katie, I wouldn’t be romantically interested in Brittany.
“Sure,” I say hesitantly, then we add each other to our contacts.
“You can call me anytime. I haven’t seen you at the deli in a while.”
“Yeah, got super busy with work.”
“I noticed your truck was parked behind it for a while. Belinda said someone vandalized it,” she says with a gasp.
Nodding, I respond, “Yeah, probably some punk kids, no biggie. My dad was able to clean it.”
Brittany smiles, then peeks into my cart. “Steaks and wine? What’s the special occasion?”
“It’s Katie’s birthday, so I’m making her dinner,” I respond, watching her reaction.
“Oh wow, didn’t realize you were such a chef. Katie’s a lucky woman.”
I chuckle. “Nah, I’m not. Just trying to repay her for helping me with something. We’re just friends,” I emphasize, so news doesn’t get around that Katie and I are spending time together. Though it’s no one’s business anyway.
“Really, just friends? Interesting.” She bats her eyes and looks at me like she wants to devour me.
“Well, I gotta go so I can get home. It was nice seeing you. Bye, Anthony.” I smile sheepishly at the two of them, then take off.
I feel her eyes on me until I walk out of the aisle and wish I hadn’t given her my number. Hopefully, I can create some boundaries, so she doesn’t assume I’m interested.
Once I’m home, I spend the afternoon marinating the steaks and tidying up. I offered to pick Katie up, but she’s dropping Owen off at her mother’s, and it’s on the way.
Just as I’m grabbing two wine glasses from the cabinet, a knock on the front door grabs my attention. I set them down and rush toward it.
“Wow.” My eyes light up when I see Katie. “You look stunning.”
She’s in a sparkly dark blue mid-thigh dress with a shawl covering her shoulders.
“Thank you.” She beams. “You look quite handsome yourself.”
I take her hand and escort her inside, then shut the door behind us. Bringing her knuckles to my lips, I place a soft kiss on them. “Happy Birthday, Katie.”
Her eyes zero in on my mouth. “You really didn’t have to go through all this trouble,” she mutters as we walk hand in hand through the living room, and I love that she squeezes mine in return. “But dinner smells amazing.”
Pulling out her chair, she takes a seat. “Are your dad and Belinda here?”
Her noticing we have the house to ourselves makes me smirk. “They went on a romantic weekend away in Mobile.”
“Oh,” she says, and I think I see a twinkle in her eye.
“I was just about to pour the wine. Want some?” I ask as she settles in.
“Yes, please.”
Once I fill our glasses, I raise mine. “To my best friend who captured my heart over fifteen years ago.”
I clink my glass with hers as Katie sucks in her lower lip, then she takes a sip. Right now, I wish I knew what she was thinking.
Once I’ve set the food out, we dig in.
“Do you remember all the birthdays we’ve spent together?”
“I remember the year Everleigh thought it was a brilliant idea to sneak into the old firehouse. Then as we ran from the sheriff, I tripped, and you literally picked me up and carried me.”
Chuckling, I nod. “Oh yeah, and you twisted your ankle and had to ice it for a week.”
“Of course, then I had to tell my mom the truth because she wasn’t buying that I slipped down the stairs.”
“And your mom told my dad, which got Gemma and me grounded for a month,” I add.
“Yeah, but it was still the best day ever hanging out with my best friends,” she confirms, then takes another bite of her food. “My God, this is so good.” Katie moans.