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I know I’m acting like a brat, and he puts up with it because he loves me. I don’t want to walk into the party at odds with Noah, so I smile and start eating. The frown he had on his face fades and we’re back to us again.
“Have you been to the shelter lately?”
I shake my head, pushing pieces of waffle around some more. “I’ve been so busy with work. Maggie told me they have two litters of puppies. I love puppies.”
Noah smiles at me. “I know you do. Maybe when things stabilize a little, we can think about getting one.”
I brighten and put my fork down. “Really? I thought you said no.”
Noah grins. “A man can change his mind, can’t he?”
My appetite is back, and I take a forkful of syrup laden waffle to my mouth. I’ve always wanted a puppy, but we’ve been so busy with everything. I’m glad Noah is warming to the idea.
“Who’s going to be at this party?” Noah asks.
“Just work people, I guess. My assistant Nikki is coming with her flavor of the week. Of course, JC and his wife, Brianna, and several other people. I was told Vincent has a huge heated in-ground pool surrounded by a beautiful patio. We can swim there too.”
“I’d rather go to the beach.”
“Why? I’m sure the water in the ocean is cold.”
“I’d just rather.”
Noah didn’t have to say it, but I knew what he was thinking. He was worried about other men looking at me in my bikini, particularly my ass. Honestly, I didn’t know what the fuss was. My body wasn’t perfect, and I was sure there would be plenty of other women wearing much less.
“Okay, we can go to the beach.”
We finished up breakfast, but it was still early. Then I had a thought; maybe we could drop by JC’s home and leave our stuff there before heading to Vincent’s. I wasn’t sure if he was there yet, but I texted him when Noah used the bathroom and paid the check.
Are you in Southampton?
Since last night. Why?
Can we drop by? We left early so we wouldn’t hit traffic and just finished breakfast at The Tin Spoon Diner.
JC texts the address, and I let Noah know we can spend a couple of hours there until the party starts. He smiles at me, but I can tell it’s strained. It has me wondering why. In the car, I ask.
“Noah, are you okay with us sleeping at JC’s house?”
“Yes, why?”
“This morning, you didn’t seem happy we would be spending time over there.”
“My worry is you. I want to make sure you’re okay with spending time with your ex-fiancé.”
I shook my head. “I told you I’m fine. I can handle JC. It’s the past and several years ago. I can’t keep dragging this around for the rest of my life. I have a new life and one I love. Stop worrying about me.”
Noah reaches over to stroke my cheek with his knuckles, and I lean in against them. I love his thick, calloused hands, a product of his intense workouts. I grasp his fingers and press my face into his skin.
“I know you can. You’re strong. That’s one of the things I love about you.”
We pull into a long gravel driveway flanked by two stacked stone pillars. The house is grand with a large porch and beautiful landscaping in the front. As we get out of the car, the front door opens, JC is calling to us as we walk towards it. I sigh, telling myself the next few hours might be hard.
Chapter 7
“You must be Noah,” JC said as he held his hand out.
I can see him sizing Noah up as if he’s a rival. JC is shorter than Noah but not by much, and they both had muscular bodies, though JC’s is leaner. I see a woman behind him and it’s just as I thought, a Barbie Doll. I assume the woman is Brianna. She’s blond, petite and gorgeous which makes me feel a little insecure. She pulls me into a hug and my insecurity melts away.
