Chapter Eight

Laurene

 

Laurene took one look at Gabe and knew she’d have no trouble convincing him that she and Noah were meant to be together. She had decided to break the news to him as soon as the sun had risen in Hawaii. According to Devon, their older brother had cut his vacation short and flown back to California already. She could only assume he’d worked things out with the woman she and Noah had caught him kissing the other day.

She was thrilled for Gabe to have found someone who could be his equal. Plus, his good fortune would work in her favor. Her older brother was the happiest she’d ever seen him. He hardly paid attention to his computer screen as they chatted via video conference. His focus was fully directed at the beautiful blonde sitting beside him.

Laurene turned to Noah who sat on the other end of the plush leather sofa in the villa’s spacious living room. He’d purposely angled himself away from her cell phone screen so as not to appear on camera. She shot him a mischievous grin and blew him a kiss, knowing full well Gabe wouldn’t even notice.

Noah pretended to capture her kiss with his hand and put it into his shirt pocket. He then gave her a thumbs-up and mouthed the words, We’re in this together. No matter what.

She sighed happily. After their sleepless night of talking and eating, he still managed to look as handsome as ever. His tousled hair and swoony grin made her heart skip a beat. She was more than grateful he had decided to give her a second chance. They’d come to an agreement that regardless of what Gabe said, they vowed to stay together. Nothing could stand in their way, not even an overprotective brother. With determination, she mouthed back, No matter what.

“Sorry, sis, what were you saying?”

She tore her eyes away from Noah’s and faced the phone screen. Gabe was finally a little more alert. She took a deep breath and began her spiel. “I was saying, big brother, that you don’t have to worry anymore about me wasting my life and money away. I figured out a lot of things since we last talked.”

“All right. I like the sound of that. Do enlighten me.”

“I spent the last month reevaluating my priorities like you suggested, and I’ve decided to return to my first love.”

“You’re going back to teaching?”

She shook her head. “No, but close. I want to start a nonprofit to provide technical resources to students, specifically computers, tablets, and smartboards. I’ve already reached out to my old school and others in the same district. They’ve expressed a lot of interest. I’ll need your help though to find the right people to connect with to get this off the ground.”

Gabe nodded thoughtfully as he listened. “That sounds like a great plan. I’d be happy to help. I’ve got a few connections in Silicon Valley who would be great with this.”

“I’ll help, too, Laurene,” Seraphina chimed in beside him. “It’s wonderful how you’re able to tie in your passion with this project.”

“Thank you, Sera. As much as I love teaching, I hope to reach even more kids and make a greater impact this way.”

“Say, is Noah around?” Gabe asked. “He’d be a good person to start with. He’s my go-to tech guy. I’m sure he knows which gadgets are worth checking out.”

Laurene grinned and slid across the couch to Noah. She aimed the phone in his direction. “As a matter of fact, he is. He helped me do some brainstorming last night.”

Gabe’s brows drew together. “Did he now?”

“Hey, Gabe. Good to see you again, Sera,” Noah greeted them with a nervous chuckle.

“Is there something I need to know?” Gabe asked in an almost ominous tone. “What else did the two of you do yesterday?”

“Nothing that you and Sera wouldn’t do,” Laurene quipped. “In fact, we may have gotten some inspiration from you guys. You know, what the two of you were doing the last time we saw you together.”

Seraphina laughed. “Oh, she got you good, Gabe.”

“We did a lot of talking, Gabe,” Noah insisted earnestly. “Just talking. Well, also another activity that required our mouths—”

“I got it,” Gabe cut in with a pained expression. “That’s quite enough information, thank you.” His gaze flitted from Laurene’s face to Noah’s and back again. “My little sister and my best friend. I had a feeling this day would come. I suppose if I had to pick a guy for you, Laurene, it would be Noah. He’s as tried and true as they come. Just do me a favor and keep the details of your—” he grimaced “—activities to yourselves.”

“Of course, big brother.” Laurene gave Gabe a cheeky smile and reached over for Noah’s hand. “On that note, we’re going to sign off here and do something that you’re not going to want to hear about.”

“You guys have fun. I’ll be sure to keep your brother distracted and out of your hair,” Sera added with a wink.

Laurene laughed. “Thanks. We’ll talk to you guys later. Bye.”

Noah placed an arm around her and pulled her close. “That went better than I expected.”

“All thanks to the power of love.” Laurene snuggled into his side and leaned her head on his firm chest. Being this close to Noah, with his masculine scent filling her senses, made her giddy. “It’s definitely more powerful than money. But it doesn’t hurt to have both.”

“I suppose not.” Noah placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “But I’d take love over money any day.”

“I know.” She believed Noah meant every word. That was the kind of guy he was—genuine, down-to-earth, and sweet—and exactly why she had fallen for him. “That’s why I love you.”

Noah’s chest rose as he inhaled quickly. “Did you say you love me?”

Laurene glanced up, her cheeks flushing under his intense gaze. “I did, didn’t I? I just meant that’s something I love about you.”

“There’s no need to explain.” Noah smiled tenderly as he tipped her chin up. “I love you, too, Laurene. You’re the best thing to happen to me.”

That was all she needed to hear as she took his face with both hands and brought her mouth to his. She’d never get enough of Noah’s kisses. He poured so much of himself into each touch, capturing her heart more and more.

Who needed retail therapy anymore? Not her. Not when she now had more passion and purpose in her life. And it was all because of this man who had offered her what money couldn’t buy—the love of a lifetime.