Noah #2
Relief flooded her face as she smiled. “I’m happy with them.
” She sighed. “I’m ready for the board to be happy and for the pressure to lessen.
” She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them and turning her attention to me.
“I’m going to tell them tomorrow. Let’s go to the City Clerk’s office on Monday and get it done.
” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “With the hotel opening in two weeks and the chaos around the Galaxie Tech merger…” She drifted off.
I could hear the exhaustion in her voice.
“A big wedding just isn’t in the cards.”
She hesitated and then looked up at me once more. “Can we just tell people that we’re so in love that we don’t want to wait another moment? In my circle, long engagements and big weddings are expected, but I just…” She sighed. “I don’t have the time.”
I wanted to reach out and touch her hand. I wanted to let her know that I was here and willing to do whatever she wanted. But I feared that touching her would go against rule number two, so I forced my hands to remain on my side of the table.
“Of course. Whatever you want.” And I meant that. I would do whatever she wanted.
She studied me and then nodded. “Thanks, Noah.” She gave me a weak smile. “I realize that this is not what you signed up for. This is definitely outside of your job description, but I’m glad it’s you.”
My heart swelled at her statement. I knew her sentiment was benign, but my emotions didn’t get the memo. My brain took that statement and ran wild with it. It took a few seconds, but I managed to rein in my thoughts long enough to give her an apathetic smile. “Me too.”
She sighed. “I’m exhausted,” she said, chuckling. “Who knew that going to a concert would be so tiring.” She scrunched up her face. “Does that mean I’m getting old?”
I chuckled. “If you’re old, I’m ancient.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “You’re only three years older than me.”
Was it wrong that I loved that she knew how old I was? Sure, I was the same age as Carson, but I was going to revel in the fact that I wasn’t just a passerby to her. She knew things that only people close to me knew.
I liked that.
Her expression turned contemplative. “Maybe that’s why I’ve struggled so much with the whole flirting and dating scene.” She paused. “I just not young anymore.”
It was taking all of my strength not to speak my mind.
I hated that she was talking about herself like she was just some washed-up, old woman who had nothing to offer the dating world.
Sure, I’d been out of that scene as well.
Life as a Navy SEAL didn’t include a white picket fence and multiple children.
Most women I met were in and out of my life within the blink of an eye.
But I knew what Emery had to offer, and there were plenty of men who would cherish her.
Secretly, I wanted to throw my hat into that ring. Even though I knew I would never be worthy of her.
Since those were inside thoughts, I decided to go with, “You just haven’t met the right guy.” It was a compliment but also a fact. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”
I wasn’t sure who the right guy was, but I was certain it wasn’t some restaurant owner on Harmony island, and it was most certainly not that tool at Abigail’s shop. It was going to take an amazing man to deserve Emery—and I doubted such a man even existed.
Emery’s already pink cheeks turned a deep shade of red. She lowered her lids as she stared up at me through her lashes. My compliment had landed, and I could tell that she hadn’t been expecting it.
“Thanks, Noah,” she whispered.
My heart picked up speed from the sound of my name on her lips. I schooled my expression, hoping she hadn’t picked up on my reaction. “Of course, Emery,” I said, the tone of my voice lowering as I spoke her name.
Her lips tipped up into a smile before she chuckled and shook her head. “Can you imagine what Carson would say if he knew what we’re planning?” Her gaze softened like she was too busy with a memory to focus on the world around her. “He’d be shocked.”
I waited for her gaze to return to me before I nodded. “Yeah, he would be.”
She studied me and then sighed. “He’d be shocked that the board was making me fulfill that ridiculous stipulation.” She grew silent. “Then again, if he were still alive, this wouldn’t even be an issue.”
Her last statement felt like it was more for her than it was for me, so I waited for her to continue. I doubted she wanted me to respond. She was just saying what we both already knew.
Carson should be the one sitting across from her at the table. Carson should be the one solving her problems. Carson should be the one playing with Timothy in the pool.
It shouldn’t be me.
It was never meant to be me.
The silence between us was palpable. I felt like I was drowning in my own thoughts. I was desperate for Emery to speak and put me out of my misery. I needed her to say something. Anything.
She yawned and shifted her attention back to me. “I’m tired,” she whispered as she wrapped her fingers around each other and then pushed her hands out. She dropped her head down before bringing it back up slowly like she was stretching out the muscles in her shoulders.
“Yeah, me too,” I said after clearing my throat. I moved to stand up, and she did the same.
She pushed her chair in and then rested her arms on the back, her gaze meeting mine. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? Even if it means you might get fired?”
That was a question she never had to ask.
Of course, I was okay with this. The whole reason I was here was to take care of her.
To protect her. The bodyguard position had just been a way to get closer to her—although I was never going to tell her that.
If I was fired because I was getting married to her, I’d take it.
“I think I’ll be okay.”
She tapped the side of her nose before she pointed at me. “Well, I guess it’ll be fine since you are leaving one job for another.” She winked and her smile was a flirtatious one. It made my stomach flip-flop.
I scolded my reaction. I was not supposed to be reacting this way to my future fake wife. I was already off to a bad start and I had three more years with this woman.
I clenched my jaw as I studied her. I wanted to show her that I was happy she felt comfortable enough to flirt with me, not that I was happy about what she’d said.
I hadn’t agreed to this arrangement because I wanted her money.
In fact, if she did try to give me anything, I had every intention of putting that money away and giving it to Timothy in the future.
Money was not why I was here.
If Emery noticed my indecisive reaction, she didn’t acknowledge it. She just chuckled to herself as she made her way around the table and started to head down the hallway to her room.
Not sure what a fake fiancé did in this situation, I let common sense take over and followed after her. I doubted that she would face any sort of trouble between the kitchen and her room, but I was going to see to it that she got safely behind her bedroom door.
I kept a few paces behind her so she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by my presence. When we got to her room, she turned and slowly brought her gaze up to meet mine.
“You know, you’re going to have to stop doing that now,” she said, a teasing hint to her voice.
I frowned. “Stop doing what?” I asked. Needing something to do with all of this pent-up energy, I shoved my hands into the front pockets of my jeans.
She glanced up. “Following behind me.” She shook her head. “The board has to believe that we’re in love. You’re going to have to start walking next to me.”
I studied her. That was the last thing I wanted to do.
When I was behind her, I could observe more of our surroundings.
I could spot any dangers headed her way.
If I was next to her… I swallowed. That was too intimate.
I feared it would feed a hope that I should never entertain even if it was currently taking root in my chest.
Her gaze remained forceful as she folded her arms. She wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I was going to have to get used to agreeing with this woman whether I liked it or not.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, nodding to emphasize that I’d heard what she said.
She narrowed her eyes as she studied me and then nodded. “Good. I’m glad we got that covered.” She turned slightly, her hand finding the doorknob. “Good night, Noah,” she said as she turned it and pushed into her room.
“Good night, Emery.”
Her soft smile had returned, causing my stomach to flip once more. I forced myself to relax as I waited for her to shut the door. Once she’d disappeared, I let out my breath and then pinched the bridge of my nose.
What had I gotten myself into?