CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

NOAH

The next day, I return to Macy’s. Need to visit Amber again. Need to coax her into accompanying me to my mom’s birthday party.

Getting girls to go out with me has never been a problem until yesterday. Amber flat-out turned me down. Already made plans, my ass.

I head straight to the accessory department, but she’s nowhere around. Hope she’s working today; if not, I’ll find her somehow.

I wander from one end of her section to the other. She exits from an aisle in front of me. I scan her from top to bottom. Still like what I see. Even more so than yesterday.

She’s dressed fashionably but not suggestively. Her outfit hugs her but doesn’t display more skin than necessary. I wouldn’t like that. I’d never let her wear something like Stacey wore yesterday or what the women I bring home slip out of. Guess I didn’t realize I was a possessive Neanderthal. Oh, well.

I walk up behind her as she straightens purses that are on display. “Amber.”

She whirls around and bumps into me. I grab her arms to keep her from falling. Let her go when she regains her balance.

I want to suck her to me and inhale her sweet scent. I step back instead.

“Sorry.” She moves a strand of hair away from her eye. “Can I help you, sir?”

I tilt my head.

“Sorry, Noah. What can I do for you?”

“Have another problem I was hoping you could help me with.” I shove my hands in my pockets. I’m a wreck.

She smiles and doesn’t answer. Not making it easy.

“I don’t know if I mentioned this yesterday, but my mother’s birthday party is Tuesday, and I was wondering if you would like to come with me?”

Her smile turns into a frown. Never a good sign. “I’m sure you can find someone more appropriate to bring.”

Wonder what she means by that?

I grab her hand and hold on tight. Groveling is something new for me. “I want you to come with me. Please.” My brothers would be gagging right now.

She rubs her chin, deep in thought.

I think of something. “I’ll pick you up after work today, and we can have dinner and get to know each other.”

She nods slightly. I don’t think she’s aware she’s doing it. I take advantage.

“That’s a yes, then.” I make it a statement of fact. “Super. I’ll be out in front of the store when you clock out.” I go to blast off before things can sink in, but I don’t know when she gets off. She’s looking at me now like a lamb does a wolf. Quickly, Noah. Quickly. “What time do you get done?”

“Six?”

“See you then.” I blurt it to keep her off balance, then promptly exit the building. By the time I reach my car, I feel like the star of a 3:00 AM infomercial telling his viewers to “Hurry and grab your credit card before it’s too late. Call this number now. HURRY!”

I think I need a shower.

* * *

I call Judy when I get home. She’s my administrative assistant. Been with me a long time.

“Hey, Judy.”

“Mr. Dalton.” I’ve asked her to call me Noah, but she refuses.

“Sorry to bother you on a Sunday.”

“That’s all right. What do you need?”

“I’d like to go to Al Fornos for supper tonight.” That’s a tall ask, I know. There’s a waiting list.

Judy is slow to respond. Probably tapping a #2 pencil against her chin. She does that when she’s deep in thought. “Just you?”

“Two people.”

More silence. More pencil tapping. “Call you back in five minutes.”

“All right.”

We hang up, and I wait in front of my window overlooking Central Park. It’s a beautiful day, and people seem to enjoy it. I let my imagination wander. Visualize Amber and me strolling through the park, hand in hand. Looking at birds and listening to children laugh, watching them play. My phone rings and the fantasy dies.

“Yes.”

“You’re in. Six-thirty.”

I don’t ask Judy how she does it. I never do. She’s the best. “Thank you, Judy.”

“You’re welcome. Would you like to tell me who you’re having dinner with?”

“Not really.”

“Okay, then. Need anything else?”

“Don’t think so.”

“Enjoy your evening.”

“Thank you, Judy.”

She hangs up, and I gaze out the window some more. Think of Amber some more. My mouth goes dry. Feeling queasy. What is this girl doing to me?