Chapter 3
Play hard to get . . . Yeah, that’ll work.
This week hadn’t been all bad. Exquisitely Yours had started to take root. I landed new clients, secured my office space for the remainder of the year, and saw an old friend. Though technically, we weren’t friends. Noah and my brother were; I was just the nerdy little sister who stared at him every chance I got.
When I first realized it was Noah, I thought I was hallucinating since I had just been reminiscing about him. Then, like I was in a time machine, memories of the first time I laid eyes on him flooded my brain.
He walked in with Adam and Cade right after they finished playing a lacrosse game. They were freshly showered, and Noah’s dark hair was damp, causing it to curl at the ends. The tight T-shirt that clung to his muscular frame was tucked into a pair of sweats that hung low on his hips.
Even back then I knew he was the one I’d never be able to forget. Everything about him was magnetic, and I knew it would be hard to stay away. I tried my best to camouflage my feelings. After all, he was legendary in high school. He hadn’t been in that school for years, yet people still talked about him. All-State athlete, Dean’s List, and of course, Homecoming King. Yup, he was the Homecoming King . . . and I was on the yearbook staff. I wasn’t a complete dork or anything, but more of a behind-the-scenes person when he had been front and center.
Then one day during his junior year in college, he was at my house and witnessed my meltdown over Trigonometry. Rather than ignore me, Noah sat down and offered his help. I knew he was smart, but didn’t realize how smart.
“Given the lengths of two sides of a right-angled triangle, find the length of the third side . . .” I stared at him in confusion. Then he said something about the sine, cosine, and tangent followed up with some bizarre-named theory. All I did was nod. Noah let out a chuckle that made my insides melt. “Think about it this way, you’re finding the measurements and angles of a triangle.”
I dropped my head in my hands. “I’m never going to remember this.”
“Margo, the word trigonometry is Greek. Trigon means triangle, and metry means to measure. If you remember that, at least you’ll know the objective.”
Trying to be clever, I quipped, “Well, it’s all Greek to me.” I snorted, Noah grinned, and I was completely mortified. I almost crawled under the table, but that just put other images in my head.
I shivered at the memory. The problem was after he took it upon himself to explain the worst math on the planet so it made sense, the crush I had on him turned into full-blown adolescent desire.
After our tutoring session, things between us changed. Wait, let me rephrase that. My impression of how I thought he considered me changed. In my wild teenage imagination, I interpreted every smile he gave me, every wave of his hand, and every word he spoke as some sort of foreplay—for what, I had no idea. I was not experienced with boys. But, I ran with my thoughts.
It was the time of year that stressed out the not-so-popular girls—prom time. Lunchroom chatter was filled with talk of what color dresses they were wearing and who asked who. A group of my friends were going together, meaning they didn’t have dates. They asked me to go with them, but I really wanted to go with a guy. And not just any guy. Noah.
Adam had mentioned they were all getting together at our place. That was my chance . . . the day I would ask Noah Winston to escort me to my prom. Excitement laced with a ton of nerves coursed through me as I gathered up the courage to ask.
I stood in front of my full-length mirror and practiced.
“Will you go to the prom with me?”
I flipped my hair off my shoulder. “Hi there, Noah. I’d love if you’d be my prom date.”
“Noah.” This time my voice was lower—you know, seductive? “How would you like to escort me to my prom?”
It was going to be the happiest day of my life, and it would have been if he hadn’t said no. But he did . . . I was crushed. I begged him not to tell anyone, and he assured me he wouldn’t. It was then I vowed to never pin my hopes and dreams on a man. The ache in my heart was real that day, and I could still feel the pain and humiliation all these years later.
So, when he rescued me in the rain, his steel blue eyes paired with his dark hair and matching scruff wasn’t easy to cast aside. Falling back under his spell would be easy. Too easy. Clutching a throw pillow close to my chest, I thought of how crazed I must have looked to him. A wet, foul-mouthed disaster in need of a ride.
I flopped back, my head sinking into my plush sofa. I stared at the phone and thought about the conversation we had. Even then, I wasn’t as friendly as I could and should have been. It wasn’t like he thought about me over the years or was even aware that he once broke my heart.
With a shake of my head and a self-declaration that I needed to get out of my funk, I grabbed my laptop and continued building the website for my business.
“What’s up?” Haley burst through the door, scaring the shit out of me. My ass flew about two feet off the cushion. “Jeez, jumpy much?”
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting you home tonight. I thought you had a date? Didn’t you swipe right or was it left?” My roommate was beautiful in the nerdy librarian way. Men seemed to be drawn to that look, but truth be told, she could attract a man with a bag over her head.
She tossed her purse on the table and sat next to me, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “The loser was a no show. Can you believe that? I went all the way uptown for nothing. What a waste of cab fare.” I gave her a sympathetic look. “Online dating sucks.” She pouted.
“I’m sorry. Want to order take-out? We can try that new Mediterranean place that just opened up.”
Haley grinned. “That sounds great. Sappy movie and PJ night, or do you have work to do?”
“Nope, I’m all done.” I really wasn’t but trying to concentrate was futile. I closed my laptop and set it aside. “You go change, I’ll order.”
“Okay, you know what I like.”
Twenty minutes later, we were sitting on our couch, eating falafel, hummus, and tabbouleh. Haley decided on The Longest Ride for our “chick flick”—one of our favorites. How could you go wrong with Scott Eastwood?
“God, do they even make men like that in real life?” Haley sighed as she stared at Scott in the shower with his co-star.
Noah Winston came to mind. The man was mouthwatering. “They do.”
Haley paused the movie and turned to face me. “Okay, dish. Give me deets and don’t hold back.” Before I could start, she bounced up. “Hold that thought, we need ice cream for this conversation.”
My happy roomie was back with a pint of Cherry Garcia, our “serious girl talk” flavor and two spoons. “Are you ready now?”
She slid a heaping teaspoon into her mouth and moaned while nodding. I proceeded to tell her about the graceful way Noah and I reconnected and about the gift I sent him.
“Let me get this straight—you’ve crushed on this guy for years, he never gave you the time of day, now he’s calling you, and you’re playing hard to get? That’s brilliant.” She beamed. “So, are you going to see him again?”
The icy cherry confection melted on my tongue as I thought about her question. I shrugged. “It’s complicated . . .”
“What’s his name?” She interrupted.
“Noah. Noah Winston.” Haley began to choke and cough. “Oh my God! Are you okay?” She set the container down and looked at me with pie-sized eyes. “What?”
She snagged my laptop off the side table, powered it on, and typed frantically. Before I could ask her what she was doing, she flipped it around so the screen faced me. There he was, on The Post’s website. Not just one picture, but several. My eyes scanned the screen, looking at all the various sides of Noah Winston. Wow, he had really made a name for himself.
“Sweetie, he’s one of New York City’s most eligible hot guys you want to fuck.”
“What?” My eyes narrowed to read the headline. “Does it really say that?”
Haley shook her head and sighed. “Of course it doesn’t, but the man oozes sex. I mean . . . look at him.” I did look, and she was right. “I’m wet just thinking about what that man is like in bed.”
With a dropped jaw, I stared at her before snapping my laptop closed. She was spot on, the man dripped sex appeal. But, he always had. Confidence was not his downfall. More thoughts of the past started to fill my brain, but this time they were good ones. God, how I loved when he came over to hang out. There were times I’d pretend he was there to see me. One day he arrived with flowers, and I swear on all that was holy, my heart did a triple flip inside of my rib cage.
I walked downstairs to help with dinner when I saw him . . . standing in our foyer with a bouquet of pink lilies in his hand. They were wrapped in yellow tissue paper with a piece of raffia tied around the center. On trembling legs, I descended the steps to go to my hero, who brought me flowers. Before I made it to the last step, my mother walked in.
“Happy Birthday, Mrs. Perry.” He handed her the bouquet and hugged her. Disappointment set in, but in true Margo fashion, I plastered on a toothy grin and waved at Noah before heading into the dining room where we were celebrating my mother’s birthday.
“Earth to Margo.” Haley snapped her fingers in front of my face. “Where did you go?”
“Nowhere, I was just thinking is all. Maybe you should go for him.”
“Nope. I like big, burly blonds. Plus, he’s too straight-laced for my liking.”
“You just said you got wet looking at him.”
“My pussy isn’t dead! Of course it woke up, but if he was about thirty pounds heavier, had a beard, and a few tattoos, I might have had an orgasm.” She sighed. It didn’t escape me that she was describing her ex-boyfriend, Seth. I wish they’d just figure their shit out and get back together.
“You’re so weird. Let’s finish watching our movie and not worry about wet panties or orgasms right now.”
I clicked on the TV, and Scott was riding a bull. “Disregard what I just said.”
We both laughed and continued to admire the hottie in the cowboy hat.
Haley’s Internet intel piqued my curiosity even higher. Since I’d been abroad, I had only occasionally thought about him but not enough to ask my brother, nor had my brother mentioned him—not that I expected him to. When I was back in my office, I fired up a search engine and typed in his name. It wasn’t that he was a complete stranger, but he may as well have been.
My eyes could barely keep up with the multiple results that populated for him; not knowing which to click first, I went to the same one Haley was on yesterday.
Noah Winston, CEO of Carris Global steps out on the town . . . Billionaire Noah Winston attends a charity event with supermodel, Brook Valentine . . . Carris Global CEO, Noah Winston, cuts the ribbon at the opening ceremony for the Carris Research Wing and Metro-National Hospital . . . Noah Winston, CEO, donates two million dollars to the Star Street Shelter for battered women and children.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of his picture. The man really did defy reality. God, what would dating him be like? Not to mention kissing him. Just the memory of his lips on my cheek in his car caused wings to take flight in my abdomen. Once again, my mind wandered, but I sternly brought myself back to the present. I had more important things to do. Exquisitely Yours needed my focus, and I needed to do some shopping.
The springtime sun warmed my skin as I walked along the busy street. Glancing at the sky with a squint, I couldn’t help but be happy. Although, I knew that was going to change as the day wore on. Ever since I was caught unprepared on that rainy day, I continually checked my weather app and set up notifications. If I were being honest, getting soaked and running into Noah made it all worth it, but I didn’t want it to happen again.
Later in the day, I scheduled an appointment at one of my favorite boutiques. It carried unique clothing by new, up-and-coming designers. My clients would never be caught in the “Who Wore It Better” photos in magazines. But right now, I was in trend heaven on Fifth Avenue.
Just as I was about to pull a few items for a client, my phone buzzed. My skin prickled as I saw “Noah Winston” flash across my screen. I clicked the text icon to open the message.
Noah: Just thought you should know it was going to rain today.
Me: Thank you, but you’ll be happy to know I have my umbrella.
The smile on my face grew like a schoolgirl’s, waiting for his reply.
Noah: I’m glad to hear that. However, if you need transportation, you know who to call.
Me: Uber?
Noah: Funny. Where are you right now?
With my fingers hovering above my screen, I waited a minute. A lady didn’t want to look too anxious, even if she was.
Me: On Fifth Avenue, working.
Noah: Not on a corner, I hope.
Now, I was laughing. Other customers just stared at me, so I decided to set my clothes on the counter and step outside.
Me: Geez! I know it’s been a while, but is that what you think of me? Plus, there aren’t hookers on Fifth. I do my best work on Canal Street.
This was true. I loved shopping for myself on Canal Street in Chinatown. I’d found several little treasures from venders hawking merchandise. Not that I shopped out of the back of minivans; designer fakes weren’t my thing. I had a golden rule: Stay away from fake things, including people—both made me itchy.
Noah: I’ll have to make a note to go there.
Yeah, like Mr. Most Eligible Billionaire would be caught dead on Canal Street.
Me: I need to get back to work. Don’t you have a job?
Noah: Actually, I do have a meeting, but not until seven.
Me: Oh, you work late on Fridays.
Noah: Well, technically, it isn’t confirmed yet.
Me: Ok. You should probably do that rather than text with me . . . you know a hooker. LOL I should get back to work anyway.
Noah: Good idea. So, where should I pick you up tonight?
Me: Pick me up?
Noah: You’re my seven o’clock. I’m taking you to dinner. If you’d like to go, of course.
I reread the words as a tremor ran through me. Part of me wanted to rattle off my address, the other part didn’t. This was the guy I dreamt about taking me to my prom while I was the furthest thought in his mind. If I wasn’t so stunned, I’d pinch myself.
Noah: I’ll take your silence as a yes. I need to run to a meeting. Text me your address to save me the trouble of searching for it. See you tonight.
Nothing. For some reason, I couldn’t text him back. Just like when he asked me to dinner when I was rain soaked, the protective part of my brain wanted to decline. The other part wanted to throw myself a party and skywrite the fact that the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on asked me out, but neither of those were an option. So, I decided to get back to work.
Emily, the friendliest sales associate in retail, packaged my items, and I was on my way. Noah still hadn’t texted again. Maybe he was just joking, but either way, he didn’t have my address, so I supposed I wouldn’t be seeing him.
By the time I got home, Haley was curled up in the corner of the sofa. Her favorite faded red sweats, paired with a tattered Minnie Mouse sweatshirt, and a pair of fuzzy striped socks with black mouse ears sprouting from her toes was her chosen attire. It must be beauty night, because her face was covered in a turquoise mask and her hair was in hot rollers.
“Don’t you look comfy?” I laughed and set my keys on the table. “It’s Friday, don’t you have plans?”
“Nope. After my last disappointment, I thought I’d stay in and beautify myself.” She glanced at the clock. “I figured you were out. It’s almost six-thirty; you’re late tonight.”
I tossed my tired body on the chair next to her. “I’ve been running around the city today, trying to find just the right attire for a client who loves to critique every outfit I send her. Although, today my degree really paid off when I had to go to the Couture Canine to select an outfit for her Pomeranian.”
Haley’s face scrunched up. Well, as much as it could under the hardened mud on her face. “People do that?”
“Apparently. I’m going to go shower and change into my own comfortable clothes. I’ll be back. Then we can order a pizza or something.”
A hot shower was just what I needed. Steam enveloped me, and it felt like heaven as I smoothed my ginger and brown sugar body scrub on my skin. I luxuriated in the hot beads of water washing over me until they started to cool. Shower time was over.
Grabbing a fluffy white towel, I rubbed my hair to collect some of the moisture before turning it into a makeshift strapless dress. Taking a washcloth, I created a window on the mirror with two swipes. My hair looked as if it had been put into an electrical socket. But since I was staying in, I left it. Having naturally curly hair had always been a pain in the ass. Usually, I would take the time to dry it, use a variety of anti-frizz products to tame it a bit, but after the past few days and the awful weather, it was a lost cause.
I padded across the hallway to my bedroom when I heard the doorbell. Haley shouted, “Margo, did you order dinner?”
Dinner. No fucking way. He wouldn’t just come over. I never sent him my address. I popped my head around a corner. “No, I didn’t. Can you answer the door? I’m in a towel.”
Rollers shook back and forth as Haley gave me a stern, “Not a chance in hell.”
“Fine, then let the bell ring.” Not only did it do just that, but was followed up with knocking. “Haley, please?”
I heard her cursing under her breath. Then I heard my delicate roommate say, “Holy shit.”