17. Noah

It'sclear from her hesitation that Cat doesn't want to be in the water right now. She avoids the shoreline—she's already made that clear to me. And we do have everyone booked for another day of filming tomorrow. We can start over. Bring in a new couple. Film again.

It's not the end of the world.

Cat's hand tightens around mine. She draws in a breath like she's preparing for battle, then lets it out slowly. "Okay, I'm good. We can do this."

"Do you promise to say something the moment you're uncomfortable?" I press. I spent a lifetime doing things to keep others happy, and it culminated in a mental breakdown. I won't force that on anyone else if I can help it.

"I promise."

I give her hand a squeeze and wait for Christine's direction. It looks like everyone is back at the bonfire and the music is going again, because people are laughing and dancing and swigging drinks just like before.

"Okay, let's roll," Christine says. "Walk south, take slow steps. Then, Noah, take her hand."

Cat pulls her hand from mine, and we turn the other direction. I grip her shoulders and scoot her over so I'm standing on the inside, closer to the ocean.

Cat looks up at me with surprise and appreciation, her blue eyes glowing.

It almost makes me lose my footing. "Ready?"

"Sure am," she says.

We start walking on the beach away from the bonfire, the waves crashing farther down and running over our toes. I reach closer and hook my pinky around hers, tugging slightly. Cat looks up at me, smiling. After a few steps, I maneuver my hand around hers so I have the whole thing in my grasp. I pull her closer to my side while we walk.

"Running out of beach," Alex says.

"Go deeper for the kiss. I want your ankles covered," Christine says.

Deeper.

"You okay?" I whisper.

"I already promised," she reminds me.

Right. Because Cat isn't breakable. She's tough, strong, independent—all the things I've long admired about her. If she says she can do it, I trust she's telling me the truth.

We walk inward until there is a solid eight inches of water. It's refreshing. I've been heating up since Cat started touching me, so it's a welcome reprieve. "This doesn't have to be weird."

"It's not weird, Hot Guy from Scoutr. Thanks for swiping right."

I can't help but chuckle. She's playing a role, that is abundantly clear. I'm just going to enjoy this. My fifteen seconds with Catalina Keene.

I graze her jaw with my fingers, brushing her hair over her shoulder and exposing her neck. She looks up into my eyes. I want to capture her in my gaze and keep her there forever. Having Cat's full attention is wild and heady. I don't think about the cameras or the models at the bonfire or the way the sun is dropping lower in the sky and turning the clouds pink and orange.

I just think about my fingers on the space between her shoulder and her neck and the way her collarbone dips right there.

Cat's hands slide up my chest. She's not speaking anymore and neither am I, like we have an unspoken agreement to get lost in the moment and not think about all the people watching us.

I don't think about it. I only have her in my head, and there's no room for anything else.

She grips the back of my neck and pulls me down toward her until my lips land on hers and they press together softly. It's a sweet kiss, testing the boundaries. Pushing and pulling and moving gently. I try to appear calm, but my body is going wild. It's not enough. I want more of her.

So does she. Her hand slides into my hair, pulling me closer, while my arms go around her back. She tilts her head, deepening the kiss while waves crash at our feet. I flush hot from her touch, meeting the cold sea in a tornado of sensation.

A hurricane of heat and fireworks and desire blow through me with torrential force. I can't get enough of this feeling. Cat is filling my head and my heart. I've spent my life buttoned up and watching my every move, careful of how I look, act, talk, behave—on constant watch to control the way others perceive me. With her, I don't feel like I have to remain so vigilant. I can skip my ab workout. I can eat an extra cheeseburger. I can tell a stupid punny joke. I can be me.

My hands slide down her back, pulling her against me while she tilts my head the other direction. I'm Play-Doh and she's molding me into exactly what she wants. I could do this all day.

There's the faint sound of someone calling to us, but I ignore it. My brain space is taken up with the taste of Cat and the feel of her skin beneath my fingers.

She breaks the kiss, lowering a few inches until it's clear that she'd been on her tiptoes.

"Lean against him," Alex calls, his direction sending faint bitterness into the moment. "Yes, just like that."

Cat's head rests against my chest, and her hand splays over my heart, where I'm sure she can feel it trying to break free of its cage. I tighten my hold, resting my chin on the top of her head. This isn't for the cameras though. I just want to hold her.

But I'm also her boss. And I'm paying her a lot of money.

Despite how much I crave to make this moment last, as soon as they call scene, I lower my arms and step back. I try to catch her gaze, to see if I can read the same fire in her eyes I feel in my chest, the smoldering remnants of our collision. But she's avoiding my face.

That's not a good sign.

"That was perfect," Christine says, looking at the screen on her camera. "I think you'll be really pleased, Noah."

I force a smile and watch Cat retreat out of the water, wondering if that kiss was the best thing that's ever happened to me or the biggest mistake.

The resort'skitchen had a heads up for tonight's crew dinner, so the food is waiting for us when we finish gathering our things on the beach and trek up the stairs to my house. Bree isn't crying so loudly anymore, which is good. She doesn't need these random models spreading the news that she's had a mental breakdown—or whatever that was. When I followed her up to the house earlier, she wouldn't let anyone into her room except Alonzo. All he'd said was that she had bad news.

My guess is that the producers in Nashville chose to go another direction. I hope it's not more drama with her Manhattan friends or a guy she hasn't told me about. Career rejections are painful, but there will be other opportunities.

Cat stands at the kitchen island, pulling foil off trays and arranging tongs and serving spoons in the dishes while Mateo sets up the plates and silverware. The models and crew start filling plates and carrying them outside to the large table on the deck. Gina steps out of the office in the back room and heads my way. When did she leave the photoshoot and come up here? I haven't even noticed her. She's been quieter than normal.

"Do you have a minute?" she asks.

"Of course."

I follow her around the corner into what was once my dad's office, but now is just a desk and a bunch of shelves filled with generic books. My parents moved to New York City full time about five years ago and this house—what was once our family home—became a summer vacation place they visit every so often.

Gina perches on the edge of the desk, her arms crossed over her chest. "How are you, Noah?" She tilts her head to the side, her eyes laced with concern.

"I'm good." My shirt is back on, which is a good thing, or I'd feel too vulnerable for this conversation. I slide my hands into my pockets. "Being out here has been good."

"That's such a relief. As much as I don't mind taking on extra responsibility around the office, I'll be glad to have you back full time."

"Me too. Maybe we can get Dr. Stein to sign me off sooner?—"

"I don't think the board will go for that." She cringes. "They were dead set on two months."

"If Dr. Stein agrees, why would they argue?"

Gina looks away in thought. "It's possible. You wouldn't want to rush their decision and have it turn out poorly, though. It just seems like a big risk to me." She focuses on me, tilting her head, her short bob swinging with the motion. "You seem better, but not?.?.?. not entirely yourself still. Am I misreading the situation?"

Better, yeah. Still an anxious mess? Depends on the day. I suck in a breath and let it out slowly. "You're not wrong."

"Maybe it's better to give it more time so you don't return prematurely and burn out again. But you know yourself best, Noah. I'll support whatever you want to do."

She's right. If I rush the board, they might think I haven't given it enough time. It hasn't even been one full month since the incident, and they originally prescribed two. I should at least wait until the time is halfway over. I have weekly Zoom meetings with Dr. Stein, so I can check in with her in a few days and see what she thinks. I haven't had any huge anxiety attacks since coming to Sunset Harbor, so I think things are moving in the right direction.

Cat's laugh floats from the kitchen, joyous and bright. It's no wonder I feel lighter when I'm constantly surrounded by sunshine.

Gina straightens. "I'm going to take off, since we don't need to be here tomorrow anymore."

"I'll have someone drive you." Who can man the speedboat? Mateo, maybe?

"The ferry is fine with me."

"Have Mateo take you to the ferry, at least. It'll only take a minute."

She nods, then approaches and squeezes my arm. "It's good to see you looking so well, Noah."

I smile at her, and she walks away to find Mateo. After Gina leaves, I pull out my phone and see a string of texts, one from my sister and the rest from her assistant. I open the thread and scan them. Shoot.

Bree

I'm so sorry, Noah. Don't hate me.

Alonzo

The producer called her. She's crushed. They decided to go a different direction and Bree is convinced she's ruined her one shot here.

So, I was correct. It doesn't make me feel any better, though.

Alonzo

Between you and me, it's not great. But there will be other producers.

I think we're going to leave. Bree wants to be alone and the house will be pretty full tonight.

Scratch that. We can't get the plane until Tuesday. Don't let anyone come upstairs tonight. I'll keep her company. She really is a mess.

I text him back.

Noah

You guys need dinner? I can bring it up.

Alonzo

We're good. I got food earlier, and Bree won't eat.

Noah

Can I help her at all?

Alonzo

Be here for her. I didn't hear the whole conversation, but I think the producer was pretty brutal. She keeps talking about auto-tune, so I think they must have told her she can't sing.

He can't be right about that. If there's one thing Bree can do, it's sing. I don't think I'm biased either. She has a pure tone. I would've thought they'd recognize the Billie Eilish vibes and pick her up straight away. Something's not right here.

Noah

Let me know what I can do for her.

Alonzo

Will do.

I release a long sigh, letting my head drop back.

"Oh, sorry. I'll come back—" Cat is turning out the door.

I stand up so fast my vision sparkles on the edges. "Wait, Cat."

She turns back, grimacing. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You aren't. Gina left."

"I was just going to ask if you want me to make you a plate."

She's so thoughtful, standing in the doorway, one shoulder up while she grips her elbow and waits. She's back in the yellow tee, tied at the waist, and her cheeks and nose are rosy like she got a little sunkissed. She said something about dinner, but I can't help thinking about the waves crashing on our feet, my heart thudding like a drumbeat, her lips devouring mine.

"Pennybags?"

And there it is, crashing away like the fantasy it was. I clear my throat and hope it clears my head. "I'll be out in a second."

She hesitates in the doorway, then looks around. "Do you use this office?"

"No."

"I didn't think so."

"Why?"

"Because the most I ever have to do in here is dust the books."

Right. Because she cleans up after us. "It was my dad's, but he took everything important out when they made Manhattan their regular residence."

"Are you planning to move in?" She still hovers by the door, peering at me like she can see the turmoil dancing over my skin.

I shake my head. "This will probably forever be a vacation house. I have a condo on the mainland, close to work. That's where I usually am."

She runs her fingers along the edge of the bookcase. "Except for this summer."

"Yeah. Because?.?.?." My body goes numb. She can't know I got put on a time out from work. Nothing would make me less attractive than being related to a toddler, with the emotional capacity to match. "I just want to be out here this summer."

Cat steps into the room and crosses her arms. "You know your dimple pops when you're lying? It must be something you're doing with your jaw."

"I don't have a dimple."

"It's small, but it is there, my friend."

My friend. That's new. "How do you know I'm lying? Maybe the dimple pops because I'm happy to see you."

"Nah, it's definitely a lie detector. You don't have to tell me the truth, but you should know I can see right through you."

It's a really good thing that's not true, or she'd know how often I think about her.

I take a few steps toward where she's leaning against the door jamb. "Did you eat?"

"Not yet. I wanted to make sure everyone had what they needed first."

Including me. "You should get a plate before it gets cold."

"I will. You coming?"

"Yeah."

She stands there, looking at me. Hesitating. "Are you okay?"

Is that why she won't leave? She's worried about me? At least I don't have to worry about things being uncomfortable between us after the kiss. She's eliminated that fear entirely. "I'm fine. It's Bree. She's just?.?.?. I don't know how to help her."

Cat glances up. "Is she still here?"

"Yeah."

"Take her some food?"

"She's not hungry."

"Has she faced a similar situation before? What did your mom do to comfort her when you were younger?"

My mom. That's a good thought. I try to think back to what she would do. "Bree faced rejection tonight. When that happened to my sisters in high school—boyfriends breaking up with them or when Olive didn't make the dance team—my mom would put on a movie and pop some popcorn. The girls would veg out and watch movies all night."

"Any specific movie?"

"The Notebook was a favorite."

She sighs. "You can never go wrong with Ryan Gosling."

"Hey," I say through a grin.

She matches my smile. "You're hot too, Pennybags, but I stand by it."

"Fair enough." I hold her gaze for a moment. "Thanks for the idea. Thanks for everything you've done today."

"It was nothing. Come eat before it gets cold." She turns, hurrying from the room before I can say anything else. I'm glad she doesn't seem uncomfortable because of the kiss. I felt sparks and the magic there, but as long as she's my employee and I'm paying her a ridiculously high salary, I can't do anything about how I feel, anyway.

So I swallow down my feelings and head to the theater room. It's time to hunt for The Notebook.