Chapter Five

Noah

 

If Noah had learned one thing from shopping today, it was that clothes did make a man. Not just any clothes, but those from a high-end store like Hugo Boss. The brand was still European, but at least it had a name Noah could pronounce. Thanks to Laurene, he looked and felt like a different person in his new button-down shirt, cream-colored blazer, and cranberry shorts. He’d almost nixed the shorts when Laurene first showed them to him, but he was glad he tried them on. She was right; you had to give things a fair shot.

He was thankful Laurene had decided to give the Ala Moana Center a shot, too. After some hesitation, she’d agreed to go shopping at Hawaii’s largest shopping mall. They had driven only a mile and a half from Luxury Row, but the prices here were more in line with what Noah was used to. And the restaurants reminded him of home. He exhaled in relief to be back in familiar territory.

“How’s your food taste?” he asked Laurene as he dug into his plate of Chinese food. They were sitting in the crowded food court on the first floor of the open-air mall. Noah had suggested grabbing a quick bite to eat before they flew back to the Big Island. When he learned Laurene hadn’t gone to Panda Express in years, he knew he had to remedy the situation. “They don’t use MSG, but it’s still got great flavor, don’t you think?”

“It’s … not bad.” She pushed her food around her oil-stained paper plate with a pair of wooden chopsticks. With narrowed eyes, she studied the wonton wrapper that had been stuffed and fried to a golden crisp in the shape of a four-petaled flower. She picked one up and took a bite, only to set it back down. “Interesting. I can’t taste the crab in this.”

“Crab?” he repeated in surprise. “There’s only cream cheese in that.”

“Oh.” Her mouth twisted in disappointment. “The ones at Chef Chu’s back home have real crab in them. Now those are really tasty, so crunchy and light, they almost melt in your mouth.”

Noah bit back a smile. He’d met Laurene before she became part of the one percent, and sometimes he forgot how her tastes had changed. To him, she was still the cute teenager who used to wear pink flannel pajamas and make hot chocolate from a packet. But he only had to take one look at her to see how much she’d grown up. Money aside, she was a gorgeous and sweet woman whom any man would be lucky enough to spend time with.

“If you don’t want it, I’m happy to take it.” When she nodded, Noah used his fork to spear the wonton off her plate. He stuffed it into his mouth with a pleased smile. “Just the way I like it. Oily and cheesy,” he added with a chuckle. He rushed to eat the rest of his chow mein and orange chicken and fill up his empty stomach. A whole day of shopping probably burned as many calories as an hour at the gym. His appetite had also returned in full force after the incident at the jewelry store.

Despite his earlier reservations about what Laurene thought of him, he had decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. She was being so kind and generous, treating him to a mini makeover and going along with his choice for dinner. The smiles she flashed his way made him feel rich. Not wealthy in terms of money, but in the sense that he had it all. With Laurene by his side, he could be and do anything. It was a crazy thought, but one he felt like running with. Why couldn’t he pursue her?

It would take some convincing on his part to reassure Gabe that he was good enough for his sister. But perhaps he could use their friendship to his advantage. He himself would appreciate knowing his sisters were dating someone he knew already rather than a stranger off the street. And if Gabe didn’t approve and it made working with him awkward, then so be it. Noah could easily find another tech job in Silicon Valley, but a woman like Laurene? She was a rare gem.

He felt her eyes on him, studying him with a curious smile. “Sorry, I just got lost in my thoughts for a second.”

“I could see that.” She tapped the tip of her chopsticks against her pink lips. “Care to share? You had a smile on your face that made me think you won the lottery.”

His grin grew wider. “It’s funny you should say that. I was just thinking how fulfilled and happy I am right now. I’m eating one of my favorite dishes, wearing this great new outfit, and spending a day in paradise—” he paused to swallow his nerves “—with the woman of my dreams.”

Surprise registered in her eyes, causing her pupils to dilate. “Are you talking about me?”

“Of course I am. No other woman even comes close,” he added as he lowered his gaze. Baring his soul like this in a crowded mall hadn’t been on his vacation to-do list, but it was now the most important thing on his mind. He hesitated to look up, afraid of what he would see. What if he had read Laurene’s signals all wrong? What if she was only interested in some temporary fun? A warm hand covered his on the table, drawing his attention up to a pair of vibrant green eyes.

“I’m flattered, Noah, I really am.”

He swallowed hard and waited for the but that he feared would follow.

“I think—” she paused to lick her lips “—I feel the same way.”

Laurene’s words resounded loudly in his ears even amidst the clamor in the food court. Two small girls ran by, chasing each other in and around the round tables and chairs. Noah hardly heard their screams as they fought over a stuffed toy. All his attention was devoted to the woman who was gazing lovingly at him.

“Laurie? Laurie Brooks?”

Both their heads turned in the direction of a young woman who happened to be walking by. Dressed in a matching athletic top and bottom, she looked to be in her early thirties. Her long dark brown hair had been pulled back in a sleek ponytail, and her cheeks were flushed pink.

“Kylie Martin?” Laurene pulled back her hand from Noah’s and faced the woman. She crossed her arms across her chest, her expression suddenly guarded. “I always wondered what happened to you after graduation. Are you here on vacation?”

“I—uh, you could say that.” Kylie’s jaw dropped as she gave Laurene a quick onceover. She didn’t try to hide her shock at seeing all the pieces of shiny jewelry. “You look amazing. Wow, that necklace must’ve cost a fortune. I take it your family’s doing well.”

Laurene frowned at the comment, but she quickly recovered. “We’re doing fine, thank you.”

Noah sat quietly, all the while watching the two women size each other up. He didn’t need a degree in psychology to know there was some underlying resentment at play. The exchange reminded him of a catfight where both sides had their claws drawn. He decided to speak up in hopes of diffusing the situation. “Hi there, I’m Noah.” He offered his hand to Kylie. “You must be an old friend of Laurene’s.”

“We were classmates at Eden Prep.” Kylie edged closer to Noah and shook his hand. “I love your outfit. Only a real man could pull off those shorts.”

“Thanks.” Noah beamed. “Laurene picked them out for me. They’re not my usual style, but I trust her judgment.”

“Cute and smart?” Kylie gushed. “You got a good one, Laurie.”

“Actually,” Laurene cut in abruptly, “Noah works with my brothers. We’re on vacation here together.”

Kylie’s expression softened, as did her tone. “Devon’s here? In Oahu?”

“We’re staying on the Big Island. Speaking of which, we should get back before they wonder what happened to us.” She nodded to Noah and stood up. “It was nice seeing you, Kylie.”

Noah rose, bewildered by Laurene’s sudden urge to leave. Regardless, he gathered up their used plates and utensils and deposited them into the nearest trashcan. He shot Kylie a small smile as he followed Laurene out of the food court.

He caught up to her on the sidewalk leading to the parking lot. “Laurene, wait up. Are you okay? What happened back there?”

A line formed between her brows as her mouth twisted to the side. She blew out a breath and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t have let her get to me after all these years.”

“I take it you and Kylie weren’t close.”

“I only knew her because she and Devon dated for a while. She didn’t think he was good enough for her, so it didn’t last.” Her voice wavered as she continued speaking. “Which is why … I don’t think it’s going to work out for us either. I’m sorry, Noah.”

“What are you talking about?” For the second time that day, he found himself confused by Laurene’s words and actions. Why had she suddenly changed her mind about him? “I don’t understand. I thought we were having fun together.”

“We were, but it wouldn’t work out for us long term. We’re just too different.”

“Too different?” The doubt that had been building in the back of his mind all day came rushing to the forefront. “What are you saying?”

“It’s just that,” she began with a sigh, “we have such different tastes. And the way we live is completely different…”

“I get it.” Noah winced as the reality of the situation weighed on his shoulders. “You don’t mind me tagging along so I can drive you around and carry your bags, but you don’t want to be seen with me otherwise.”

“Noah, that’s not what I meant.” She reached out to place a hand on his arm. “It’s … complicated.”

“Is that why you wanted to make me over? So I’d look more acceptable for you?”

“No! That’s not why—”

He cut her off with a shake of his head and stepped back from her touch. “Never mind. You’re right. We’re better off as friends.”

It was more clear than ever that Laurene had only been stringing him along. The realization left a bitter taste in his mouth but also set him on a new path. If she didn’t think he was good enough to date her, it was time to lick his wounds and move on.