Chapter 17: Chapter 16

LILLIAN

Noah’s announcement that he’d booked a hotel for a few nights caught Lillian off guard. She was relieved, yet surprised. She’d been expecting him to find some reason to stay with her another night, and she didn’t hesitate to tell him so.

They’d always been upfront with each other since the day they met.

“Would you prefer if I did?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips. “Found an excuse to stay with you, I mean?”

“No,” she retorted. “You wouldn’t be able to keep it in your pants for two nights straight, and I don’t want to deal with your horny self again.”

He chuckled. “It’s kind of scary how well you know me.”

“You’re not as enigmatic as you think you are,” she shot back.

“I never claimed to be. In fact, I have the opposite problem with most people.”

“And what’s that?”

“My intentions are always crystal clear, but people still fail to see them. Except for you, of course.”

“I’m smarter than most people you know. I think you purposely surround yourself with idiots.”

“I used to,” he corrected her, earning an eye roll from her.

Their lunch was coming to an end, and she’d soon have to return to work and face the wrath of her boss. She wasn’t looking forward to it, but she couldn’t give her boss an easy reason to reprimand her. She had to be punctual and mentally prepared to get through the day.

Noah was nothing but trouble, and he didn’t even have to try. It was just who he was.

“I need to get going,” she sighed, glancing at her phone to check the time.

“Do you want to do something later?” he asked.

“We just had lunch together.”

“So?”

“I think that’s enough for one day.”

“I’m alone in this city, remember?”

“You’ve been alone in a city before, Noah. I’m sure you can handle it.”

“Lillian, I don’t want to be alone anymore. I don’t really have any friends.”

“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t want or deserve pity. I brought this on myself. I’m just stating a fact. Right now, you’re the closest thing I have to a friend.”

“A friend or a fuck buddy?”

“Does it matter?” He shrugged. “I can talk to you in a way I can’t with others.”

“I’m so touched,” she said, rolling her eyes. “But you should try to…”

“To what?” he interrupted. “Make friends? It’s not as easy as we get older. If I’m not mistaken, you don’t have any friends either, do you?”

“You know I don’t.”

“So, do you want to be friends?” he asked, smirking.

They stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“We’re not in kindergarten,” she said.

“That’s a good thing because I was a jerk even back then,” he joked.

“I won’t even say you’re exaggerating because I’m sure you’re telling the truth.”

“Always to you.”

“Because you can’t do otherwise.”

“True. Let’s go for dinner.”

“Noah…”

“You’ll be rid of me after that.”

The problem was, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to be rid of him. But she didn’t voice that thought. Instead, she just nodded, signaling it was time to leave.

***

After Noah’s visit, her work life took a turn for the worse, if that was even possible. Tamara was constantly snapping at her, making her run errands only to berate her for not doing them correctly.

But Lillian wasn’t one to back down, so they argued—a lot.

The only consolation was knowing that Tamara couldn’t fire her yet. It was clear she was trying to make Lillian quit, but Lillian was determined not to. She’d been considering finding a new job after her vacation, but not anymore.

Tamara would have to fire her and pay her a hefty severance. The only concern was references, but she could ask Asher Ryder directly. He’d be willing to provide them.

She was determined to win this war, no matter what.

“My coffee is cold,” Tamara sneered.

“It was steaming hot an hour ago when I brought it in,” Lillian replied, unfazed.

“Go make me another.”

“You know where the kitchen is, and you don’t have any meetings for the next hour.”

“It wasn’t a request. It was an order. Go make me my coffee, Miss Astaire.”

“No, I won’t. It’s time for my lunch break, and I intend to take it now.”

“You are paid to follow orders.”

“Not during my lunch break.”

“Whether you get a lunch break or not is my call,” Tamara snapped.

“Really?” Lillian shot back. “Would the human resources department or Mr. Ryder himself agree with that?”

“Are you trying to intimidate me?”

“No, I’m just aware of my rights, and I won’t let you misuse your authority just because you can’t fire me.”

“You seem pretty confident about that.”

“I’ve been informed recently, yes. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m off to the cafeteria. I’ll be back in thirty minutes. If you’re desperate for that coffee, feel free to make it yourself. Just make sure to drink it before it cools down.”

With that, she spun around and walked out, leaving behind the sound of a thud from Tamara’s office. She didn’t even bother to see what Tamara had chosen to destroy this time.

***

“Pizza or Chinese?” she asked, scrolling through a food delivery app.

They were lounging on her couch, her legs casually draped over his lap. It was an impromptu move, and she had suggested he move to the armchair. But he chose to stay put, and while he was at it, he gave her calves a soothing massage.

“Let’s go with Italian,” he suggested.

“I’m in the mood for pasta too,” she agreed. “Can you put some pressure on my ankles? They’re killing me.”

“You used to cook on holidays,” he recalled.

“And?”

“Don’t you cook in the city?”

“I cook on weekends. Sometimes it lasts me through the week; sometimes it doesn’t.”

“So, it’s been a rough week? Since you didn’t bother cooking over the weekend.”

“You could say that,” she sighed.

“Is it because I’m here?”

“If I say yes, will you leave?” she muttered, tossing her phone onto the couch and leaning her head back on the armrest.

“No. I’ll stick around and annoy you some more. Besides, your ankles need me.”

“I think I liked you better when you were an arrogant jerk.”

“You’ve mentioned that a few times.”

“Because I mean it.”

He had been here for a full week; they saw each other every day, and he showed no signs of leaving. She was starting to get used to his presence.

At least he didn’t pick her up from work; that would have caused more issues.

“I’m still an arrogant jerk, you know,” he said.

“No, you’ve turned into an irritating bastard who’s surprisingly good with his hands.”

He laughed. She held back her smile.

When the doorbell finally rang, she was already feeling drowsy. So drowsy that Noah was the one who answered the door and served the food.

“Are you going to eat, or just dream about it?” he teased.

“I’m so fucking tired,” she groaned, straightening up and rubbing her eyes.

“I know.” He smiled. “Let’s eat and then I’ll let you rest.”

“If you do the dishes, you can sleep on my couch tonight.”

“If you’re feeling really generous, let me sleep in your bed. Your couch is a killer.”

“We’re not having sex,” she stated flatly.

“I wouldn’t sleep with you when you’re this exhausted. But I’m serious about your couch. It’s really uncomfortable.”

“Just stay on your side of the bed or you’ll end up on the floor,” she warned.

“All right, all right,” he chuckled. “Do you want me to carry you there?”

“No, I’ll drag myself.”

“Suit yourself.” He shrugged.

She wasn’t sure if letting him into her bed was a good idea, but she was so tired that she knew she’d sleep like a log.

She just hoped he would keep his word.