Chapter Twenty

NOAH

Three days have passed, and I haven’t heard a word from her.

Presley mentioned, in passing, that they had met for lunch. But that was all. She could tell I was fishing for more information, but I can’t let my pride interfere with work.

Both of us need time to cool off after our heated argument. I just can’t understand how a woman—so frustratingly beautiful and stubborn—can affect me so much. I struggle to sleep, and my appetite is minimal, even adopting Kate’s terrible habit of checking my cell a thousand times a day.

I’ve kept Kate out of this problem, not wanting to highlight Morgan’s dislike for our friendship. Charlie’s been busy with a critical court case, so I barely see her at home. It’s only Lex around. He’s taken a couple of days off to work from home.

“What’s she done now?” he questions, watching me on the couch, absently channel surfing.

I find myself stuck on some show about renovating a house in England. Sending Kate text after text, I question the weird things they keep saying. Her visit to LA has been canceled due to some last-minute business she needs to take care of in Chicago. It soured my mood even more, missing her overbearing ways.

I let out a grunt. It’s barely a response.

“Let me guess? She won’t fuck you. Doing that annoying thing that women do… the cat and mouse chase.”

I laugh. He’s on point. “Yep.”

“Let her go. C’mon, you’re in LA, there are plenty of women out here.”

“You’re right. It’s not like we’re in a relationship.”

But I can’t let it go.

It eats away at me how she can so quickly walk away.

The next day, I take matters into my own hands, turning up at her office. The receptionist informs me she’s out and won’t tell me where. I slip her a twenty, and she stares at me with an insulting frown.

“C’mon, please,” I beg for a solid ten minutes.

“I’ll tell you, but I can lose my job. So, don’t you dare tell her I told you.”

I drive over to the address she gives me. Leaning my head forward, I look at the surroundings. It’s a park. My eyes graze over the piece of paper again—this is definitely the right address.

Parking the car in a tight spot, I step out and walk through the gates. It’s not too busy, a few kids playing at a playground and some ladies walking their dogs. None of these people are her, though. I’m wondering if the receptionist has sent me on a wild goose chase.

Toward the back of the park, there’s a basketball court, and I can see someone shooting hoops. I move closer until I’m at the fence.

It’s her.

She’s wearing tight shorts, Nike sneakers, and a black tank as she nails a three-pointer.

I clap loudly, watching her turn to face me.

“Noah, what are you doing here?” she says out of breath.

“It’s been three days,” I merely say. “I didn’t know you played ball.”

She smiles. “This is what I do for fun.”

“I don’t know whether to be happy or disappointed.”

“Why would you be disappointed?”

“Because I was hoping your idea of fun was whips and chains. You know, some light bondage.”

This time she laughs, throwing me the ball. “Mind out of the gutter, Mason. I actually coach a kids’ team.”

“Really?” I pass her the ball. “Then show me what you got, Bentley.”

Unpinning my cuffs, I roll up my sleeves and move in closer. She backs up into me, and when I reach to steal the ball, she beats me with a spin move and nails the layup.

“Damn, girl, you got skill.”

Standing only a few steps away from me, she catches her breath. In a severe and apologetic tone, she says, “I’m sorry.”

I pull her arm toward me. Placing my hands on her face, I kiss her lips. I fucking missed her. And it feels like forever. I don’t want to be apart.

“What other hidden talents do you have?” I question her playfully, my hands wrapped around her waist.

“I can drink a gallon of milk in less than a minute.” Her eyes light up proudly.

“You cannot.” I smile.

She nods her head. “Sadly, true.”

I laugh, kissing her again. “So, tell me, Morgan, where do we go from here?”

“I don’t know, Noah,” she speaks quietly. “I have a meeting I need to get to, but I promise to call you afterward. I’d try to reschedule, but these businessmen have flown in from France, offering Scarlett a big endorsement. I need to be at the Four Seasons in less than an hour.”

Why am I not surprised she has to be somewhere else? I can feel the anger and frustration slowly building inside of me, my fists clenching to control the unnecessary outburst. Factoring in someone else’s behavior, especially someone I’m growing fond of, is new territory for me.

God, why the fuck is she making this so damn hard? Patience is a fucking virtue.

“You live close to here?” I ask to distract myself. I look around. There are many houses but nothing like Scarlett’s home. Smaller town homes are all bundled together with communal yards.

“Uh… not far from here.”

“Do you need a ride home?” I raise my eyebrows, hopeful.

She’s quick to shoot down the idea. Disappointing me instantly. “My roommate’s home.”

“You have a roommate?”

“Uh… yeah, I do,” she answers, uneasily.

“So, I’m sure she won’t mind?”

She bounces the ball then looks at the time on her watch. “He doesn’t like visitors, so I’m not home much.”

Her roommate is a guy!

The excitement of being here with her is overshadowed with the jealousy which rears its ugly head. I don’t like this one bit. Why would she choose to live with a guy? Indeed, given the car she drives, she has money to be able to live alone. Or better yet, move in with Scarlett. She isn’t strapped for cash.

“You never said it was a he?” I ask bitterly.

“Noah, don’t look at me that way,” she pleads.

I’m unable to control my tone. “You give me the third degree about Kate, and yet you live with a male?”

“It’s different,” she’s quick to defend herself. “I really need to go. Call me tonight. We’ll talk more then, I promise, okay?”

“Morgan,” I call out, frustrated at her abandoning this conversation.

She continues walking to her car, ignoring that I’m standing here, in the middle of a basketball court, having a mental breakdown.

I head straight home, making a mental note to call her tonight. There’s no way that I’ll allow her to avoid my questions.

Charlie’s back and cooking something so delicious, I’m practically drooling on the floor. The second she sees me, she knows something’s wrong.

“What’s up? You have that look on your face, the same one you had when I accidentally flushed your toy car down the toilet.”

“That wasn’t an accident. You did that because I cut all your Barbie’s hair off.”

She throws her hands in the air. “It was a Barbie-and-the-Rockers doll. Without the crimped do, she wasn’t a rocker!”

“She needed a haircut.” I snicker, grabbing a chocolate chip cookie from the jar that sits on the countertop.

“You’re so annoying,” she complains. “So, what’s up your annoying ass today? Wait, let me guess, someone rejected you.”

“Uncle Noah,” Amelia says, walking into the room with wide eyes. “Are you in love with Morgan?”

My head turns fast. “How do you know Morgan?”

“It’s on your phone.”

“Amelia,” Charlie and I say at the same time. “I’ve told you not to read my phone.”

“I’m sorry, Uncle Noah.” She almost cries. “I needed to use your phone for the torch.”

“What did you need the torch for?” Charlie asks skeptically.

“I accidentally dropped Uncle Noah’s toothbrush in the toilet, and I couldn’t reach the light, so I tried to use his phone when he was outside with Daddy.”

I bury my head in my hands. “My toothbrush?”

I begin to dry-retch while Charlie lectures Amelia again on personal property. Amelia leans her head on my arm. “Sorry, Uncle Noah. I didn’t mean to do it.”

What a way to end the night. Despite being grossed out about my toothbrush, I ruffle the top of her head, kissing her before she pulls away and walks down the hallway.

Amelia halts at her door. “Uncle Noah, I think you love Morgan. That’s why you’re sad. Daddy says when a man loves a woman, they’re sad if they aren’t together.”

Can a five-year-old have the answer to my problem? No. I can’t be in love. The thought alone is ludicrous.

“Morgan?” Charlie questions. “So, what about Scarlett?”

“Charlie—”

“Okay, I won’t butt in,” she says. “But I’m here if you need me, okay?”

“I know…” I trail off. “What would you do if you were me? If you weren’t getting the answers you so desperately need.”

“Me?” Charlie asks. “I’d sit back and allow life to lead the way.”

“And you?” I turn to Lex who has been sitting quietly at the table.

“I’d go find her now, demand she gives you answers, and not leave until she does,” he states firmly.

“She’s busy, some meeting at the Four Seasons.”

Lex pulls his cell out and dials a number. “Karl, it’s Lex Edwards. I need a room.”

There’s silence followed by Lex saying, “Thank you,” and hanging up the phone.

“It’s all yours.” Lex smiles.

Charlie watches my reaction, surprisingly keeping quiet. I sit on it for moments, then realize that life’s too short.

I grab my keys, making the decision before nerves have me backing out.

“I’m going after her.”