Chapter 23
What did she just say?
Well, that was interesting. I’d always wanted to hang out with my brother and Noah—for obvious reasons, but being in the same room with them, with the scent of sex still in the air, was a bit unnerving.
“Hey, girlfriend!” Haley burst into the apartment. “I brought ice cream.”
She set her purse on the side table and handed me a bag before heading to the kitchen to grab spoons. I pulled the cold container out. “What’s the occasion?”
Haley flopped on the couch. “Well, I happened to see an article online today and wanted to tell you how proud I am of you.”
My spoon hung in mid-air. “What article?”
She stuck her ice cream laden spoon in her mouth, grabbed my iPad from the coffee table, punched in a few things, and spun it around. When she slid the spoon out, she pointed with her pinky finger. “That one.”
Exquisitely Margo by Michael Evans, staff reporter. “Holy shit. It’s live already?” That was fast.
Haley nodded. “It’s a great article. I’m not sure why my best friend didn’t call to tell me about this. I would have given a statement, but I suppose having Noah Winston in your corner doesn’t hurt.” She slid another spoonful into her mouth and mumbled, “You should really have some of this.”
“He interviewed Noah? Rochelle didn’t give the reporter any personal contacts.”
She shrugged one shoulder up. “Why wouldn’t they go to him for a comment? After what his mother said about you? Plus, if I was this dude, I would have asked your boyfriend a few questions, too.”
I scanned the article, skimming over what my references said in search of his name. When I scrolled down the page, my eyes could barely focus on what I was reading.
When I asked one of New York’s finest how long he had been dating Ms. Perry, his answer even caught this reporter off guard. “Our time can’t be measured. We are two people who crossed paths after several years. The status of our relationship is just that, ours. Margo doesn’t need me to validate her, or what we mean to each other. Once you start relying on someone else for your own happiness is when you start losing yourself.”
Michael did a great job emphasizing all of my strong points, even highlighted my company, but all my brain could do was focus on what Noah had said.
“That’s pretty hot, right?” Haley pointed her spoon toward the iPad. “He just told the world that he’s taken. Women are going to hate you.” She laughed at my scowl. “I’m just kidding . . . kind of.”
“He didn’t tell the world; this was printed in The Washington Probe, that’s not a massive publication.”
Haley snorted, “Girlfriend, several papers have picked up this story. Just because you live under a social media rock doesn’t mean everyone does.”
“Enough about me; what’s going on with you?”
“That’s the other reason why I’m here.” Haley squirmed in her seat. “Seth and I are throwing ourselves an engagement party on Friday night.” She let out a laugh. “Sounds cliché, but I told you I’ve always wanted everything and anything that a proper wedding would include. The party will be in the VIP section at The White Orchid. I already confirmed that Tyler and Brett will be tending bar. As my maid of honor, you must be there and bring your boyfriend.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. We were supposed to go out with my brother and Cade; is it okay if they come, too?”
She beamed, “Of course! The more the merrier.” I hadn’t seen Haley this happy in a long time. If I wanted to invite a group of strangers, she wouldn’t have refused.
“Ooh, I had an idea I wanted to run by you. I’m thinking of trying to book Raging Urge to play at the wedding. I just read an article on rock stars, and Ryker and Max are gorgeous, plus, their music is the shit! If they’re not available, maybe I can get Jack Lair.” She sighed. “He’s hot, too. What do you think?”
“Yes, I think you should try to have the most gorgeous musicians play at your wedding; I’m sure that would go over big with your fiancé. Although, Leila Marino from Devil’s Lair is beautiful, so maybe Seth won’t care.”
Her lips twisted. “Fine, I’ll hire a DJ. They probably wouldn’t fit into our wedding budget anyway. Maybe you can have one of them or both at your wedding. Your man can afford it.”
My wedding. Heat swarmed my body from the outside in, as if I was a marshmallow over an open flame. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Noah and I are a long way from taking that step. We just reconnected.”
“Pfft.” She waved her hand back and forth. “Just because you both haven’t declared your undying love for each other doesn’t mean it’s not obvious to everyone around you. You’ll see, pretty soon you’ll be the one with a rock on your finger.”
I glanced down at my hand and wiggled my left ring finger. Could she be right? No. I shook my head in an attempt to rid my head of even going there. To appease her, I said, “Maybe one day.” Fine, maybe that was to appease myself just as much, because I would love nothing more than to marry him one day.
“By the way,” Haley added, “you owe me a month’s worth of Ben & Jerry’s.”
The White Orchid was packed. Of course, it was Friday night, so this was nothing unusual. When I glanced up, I saw Haley talking to a few of her co-workers. Noah’s hand was on the small of my back as we made our way to the stairs leading to the posh VIP section.
Music filtered through the club’s speakers, but it wasn’t loud enough that you couldn’t hear yourself think. That came later, when the dance floor opened, but right now, couples were mingling, friends were talking, and strangers were getting to know each other.
“Hey, Margo.” Tyler walked up to me carrying a case of tequila. He leaned in and kissed my cheek. Noah’s arm moved from behind my back to around my shoulders. Tyler smirked, not missing the hint Noah tossed his way. Before I could introduce them, he smiled at Noah. “I’m Tyler, one of the bartenders and co-owners of the club.”
“I’m Noah, Margo’s boyfriend.” His tone was full of possessiveness, and it was quite the turn on.
“Yes, I know. You’re a lucky man; she’s a great girl.” Tyler glanced down at the box of liquor. “I’d shake your hand, but . . .”
“No worries.” Noah’s voice softened a bit, but not enough. “Babe, we should get moving.”
I nodded. “We’re here for Haley’s party.”
Tyler tilted his head toward the stairs. “Head on up. Brett will be taking care of you guys tonight. I need to get to the bar.” He looked at Noah, “Good meeting you. I hope to see you around.”
When Haley spotted us, she squealed, “You made it!”
Were we late? “Of course we did. Is my brother here yet?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, he’s here with his hot friend and with that woman from the paper. Holy shit, Louisa is even prettier in person.” Haley’s words were a bit slurred. Maybe we were late or she just started early. “Come on, we’re doing shots.” Haley snatched my hand and pulled me toward the other guests with Noah at my side.
“Everyone! This is my maid of honor, Margooooo.” Yup, she was drunk. She put her hand on Noah’s chest. “And this handsome hunk is her fiancé, Noah Winston.”
What did she just say? Noah’s head snapped toward me so fast I didn’t know what to do. I looked at him with wide eyes and shook my head.
He gave one nod. Mirroring my thought, Adam was the next one to question that announcement. “What did she just say?”
I swallowed hard. “Nothing, she . . .”
Before I could finish, Cade and Louisa walked up to us. Cade looked as bewildered as we all did and felt. Louisa, on the other hand, looked thrilled—maybe she was drunk, too.
“You’re engaged? How wonderful! I’m Louisa, you must be Margo.” She extended her hand to me, which I took. “Thank you for helping me out with my outfit for the gala and loaning me your boyfriend. Wait until I tell everyone. Let me take a picture and I’ll Tweet it.” She looked at Adam. “My subscriber count is going to soar; I’ll start trending. It’ll be great for business.”
Brett walked up to us. “Hi, Margo. Can I get you anything?”
It was then that I realized Noah hadn’t said a word. Even though he was still next to me, I had to look at our hands to confirm they were joined. “Sure, I’ll have one of your specials.” Brett nodded, and I looked to Noah. “Do you want something?”
“Yeah.” He turned to me, dark eyes, brows furrowed so low they created the deepest crease between his eyes. “You can tell me what the fuck is going on. Why the hell would you tell Haley we were engaged? Did you feel left out, or did you just want to put me on the spot?” He brought his attention to Louisa. “We aren’t engaged; I don’t do marriage.” My heart sunk. He glared at Louisa. “If you even think about posting anything, I’ll sue you for slander and you won’t have a business to trend.”
Adam stepped forward. “Calm down, she won’t post anything.” He looked at Louisa, who was also stunned silent. “Right, babe?” She shook her head, and then nodded. Clearly, she was as shocked as we all were. “Noah, go get a drink and relax.”
Noah ran his free hand along his stubbled jaw and around the back of his neck, glaring at Brett. Poor guy just stood there, an unwilling observer. “Three fingers of Macallan.” Noah’s voice was low, stern, and full of anger.
It looked like Brett was going to say something, but all he did was give Noah a nod and me a sad expression before he went to the bar dedicated for this party.
Tears pricked my eyes. Noah’s reaction hurt me on several levels. There was no way he could think that I told Haley we were engaged. And as far as feeling left out? Was he even kidding? My saliva felt like thick syrup lodged in my throat.
Adam pulled me toward him and out of Noah’s grasp. “Come on.” We walked away—no questions, not one word from Noah, he just let me go. Maybe that was a sign. Leaving Noah and Cade behind, Adam led me to a table in the far corner, away from the party.
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” My lips turned down, the skin on my chin puckered. “What was that all about? I never told Haley we were engaged. Do you know why Noah reacted that way?”
Adam let out a frustrated breath. “Have you two ever discussed the future? I know you haven’t been together long, but I have never seen him behave the way he does around you or vice versa.”
“No, there was never a reason to. That’s why his reaction caught me so off guard. What aren’t you telling me?” Brett found us in the corner and gave me my martini and Adam a fresh one of whatever he was having before going to deliver the others.
After Adam took a sip, he clarified, or tried to, “Noah isn’t really a traditional guy. You two should talk.”
“Okay.” What the hell did that even mean, not traditional? “Are you saying he doesn’t want all the pomp and circumstance or just doesn’t want to ever get married?”
“The latter.” Noah’s voice boomed over the club’s music.
Adam stood in big brother defender mode. “Noah, this isn’t the time or place.”
My head turned, spotting Noah standing behind me with a stiff spine. Surprised I could get the words out, I said, “No, tell me, I want to know.” Although I was now standing, the floor beneath my feet may as well have been a cloud.
Noah handed his empty glass to a passing waitress. “I’m never getting married.”