Chapter 24: Chapter 23

NOAH

“So, what’s your verdict?” he asked, a hint of impatience in his voice.

He’d begun showing her around about twenty minutes ago, and she’d been silent the whole time. He’d anticipated some sort of reaction when they reached the spot.

When it didn’t come, he held onto hope, thinking she’d surely comment when they were on the first floor. Now, they were on the fourth floor—the final one—and she still hadn’t said a word.

“It’s bright,” she finally murmured.

“Do you like it, though?” he pressed.

“It’s a nice place, but without knowing what you plan to do with it, I can’t really say if it’s suitable.”

“Well, if I can’t make up my mind, I can always sell it,” he offered.

“I thought you had a plan for it,” she said.

“I do,” he said, frowning slightly.

He looked around the space. He really did want to do something with it. The building was calling to him.

There was a hint of an idea in his mind, but it was still nebulous. Every time he thought he had it, it slipped away. It was starting to get frustrating.

“Isn’t it a bit too large for a small business?” she asked.

“Yeah, but it gives me room to grow if things go well,” he replied.

“Still,” she said, her brow furrowing. “Are you sure it was a smart move to invest your money in this?”

“I got a good deal on it,” he defended.

“I don’t doubt that. But whatever business you start here, you’ll need equipment and furniture. If you’ve spent all your money, how will you afford anything else? I mean, the first thing I see is that this place could use a fresh coat of paint.”

“Let’s talk about your last day at work,” he said, eager to change the subject.

Everything she said made sense, but he couldn’t worry about everything at once. He didn’t regret buying this place, and since he was happy with it, he wouldn’t let Lillian’s valid concerns affect him.

“Nothing special.” She shrugged. “I just packed up my stuff and left when it was time.”

“You didn’t say goodbye to anyone?” he asked.

“I wasn’t close to anyone there, Noah. Not when you were there and definitely not after you left. There was no love lost between me and the others.”

“You didn’t shed a tear?” he teased.

“Not one. Honestly, it felt good to walk away. Now I can do whatever the hell I want.”

“And what the hell do you want to do?”

“I don’t know yet, and I’m okay with that. I don’t even want to start job hunting right now. Maybe in a few weeks or a month… I was thinking of visiting my hometown.”

“Your hometown?” he echoed. “You just got back from there.”

“I know, but my parents would be thrilled to have me back so soon. And now that you mention it, I actually feel like making the trip.”

“If you’re in the mood for a trip, why not come with me?”

“With you? Where to?”

“I’m planning to visit my dad and brother.”

“Isn’t that a bit soon for you too?” she asked, her brow furrowing again.

The truth was, he hadn’t planned on visiting again so soon after his last trip, but the invitation slipped out before he could stop it. He knew she wouldn’t seriously invite him to her parents’ house.

“It is, but I don’t really mind. I might even check in on Dorothy while we’re there.” He shrugged. “I was thinking of making this my office.”

She looked around thoughtfully. “It’s not a bad idea. You’ll get plenty of natural light.”

“That’s what I was thinking. I’ll definitely need a laptop to start with and a custom program to run the business.”

“Well, one thing’s for sure—you won’t need more than one floor of this building to start with.”

“You’ve already mentioned that.”

“I hinted at it. Now, I’m telling you outright.”

“You were supposed to be supportive.”

“I never said I was. And as strange as it may sound, I wouldn’t want you to change.”

“Don’t tell me you liked me the way I was, because you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who’d agree with you—my brother included.”

“Speaking of your brother, did you know he gave me severance pay despite my resignation?” she asked.

“He did?” he asked, surprised.

“So, you really didn’t know,” she said, drawing out her words.

“I didn’t, actually. The only time I stepped in was when Tamara was rude to you. I had nothing to do with this because you never mentioned wanting to quit.”

“I just assumed it was part of your deal.”

“Nope,” he said, shaking his head. “I told you the only deal I made was to keep you from getting fired for five years. That’s it.”

As he thought about it, his brother had been pretty generous. Noah hadn’t asked for Lillian’s salary to be protected. Asher could have slashed it once Noah was out of the picture.

That’s what Noah would have done. But then again, he wouldn’t have done his brother a favor if asked.

“He sent me an email thanking me for my work and said there would always be a job for me at the company, in any branch or department I wanted, if I ever decided to come back.”

Noah looked at her, a bit surprised. He wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t know about his brother’s move, but he also shouldn’t be shocked. Asher was always good to his employees, and Lillian wouldn’t be an exception—especially after dealing with Tamara.

“That’s great,” he said, impressed. “Really great.”

“I don’t plan on going back.”

“I wouldn’t recommend it either.”

He gestured toward the door. It was time to leave. The afternoon was fading into evening, and the light was dimming. He hadn’t turned on the electricity yet, which meant once the sun set, they’d be in the dark.

“Did she find someone to replace you?” he asked as they descended the steps.

“Oh, she did.” Lillian chuckled. “Two days before I left. Tall, lean, and blond. She’s going to chew him up and spit him out.”

“There’s no doubt about that,” he laughed. “She always had male assistants.”

“You’ve mentioned that before. I bet she’ll be hit with a harassment claim within a year,” she smirked.

“Men aren’t usually quick to report harassment, Lillian.”

“You mean because they’re flattered when a beautiful woman comes onto them?”

“Exactly.”

“While that’s mostly true, there are still people who come to work to actually earn a living, you know. Someone is bound to feel violated by her behavior. She’s a predator.”

“But it’s not your problem anymore, right?”

“No, thank God.”

“Will you come with me then?”

“Where will I stay?”

“I’ll let my dad know you’re coming. He’s very welcoming.”

“If you’re going to force me on him, I’d rather stay in a hotel.”

“Just say yes and I’ll handle it.”

She looked at him, her gaze intense. “Yes.”

***

The last time Noah traveled with a woman was on his honeymoon, and he hadn’t particularly enjoyed it. For Dorothy, it was even worse, because at least he had mixed work with their time abroad.

When he was with Vanessa, they had to travel separately for safety, and even though he had to bring his assistants along, they didn’t sit in the same part of the plane. He flew first class, and business was where they belonged—even when they were sleeping together.

With Lillian, they sat next to each other. She had declined his offer to sit by the window, which he found strange.

“I’m not a big fan of planes,” she admitted, looking away from the oval window.

“Are you scared?” he asked, amused.

“I was scared when I was little. Now, I just feel uneasy, so I prefer not to see the view. Unpleasant thoughts tend to creep in.”

He had never been afraid of flying. At least, he didn’t remember ever feeling that way. He had flown so much since he was a kid that any fear he might have had disappeared long ago.

In fact, he enjoyed the view, and if he was good at taking photos, he would. Maybe he’d share the idea with Asher.

He let Lillian be and admired the clouds from the window while she read a book.

At some point, the book slipped from her hands as she fell asleep. He did the gentlemanly thing and picked it up.

“Agatha Christie,” he murmured. “Imagine that…”

He tucked the book into her bag and returned to his window, gazing until it was time to wake her up for landing.

“I think I should stay in a hotel after all,” she said as they exited the plane.

“Don’t be absurd,” he chided. “My dad sent his chauffeur to fetch us—something he wouldn’t do if it was just me.”

“Are you implying he’s doing this for my sake?” she asked.

“Absolutely. He’s a gentleman,” he replied.

“Please tell me he doesn’t have the wrong impression about us,” she pleaded.

He chuckled. “Do you think I’ve laid a trap for you?”

“No, but maybe you didn’t clarify that I’m not your girlfriend,” she retorted as they approached the car.

“Well, I did clarify, so he wouldn’t bother us. Although, maybe I should’ve let him think you’re my girlfriend. That way, I’d have an excuse to sneak into your room,” he teased.

“We’re not having sex in your dad’s house while he’s there,” she stated flatly.

They both climbed into the car. Lillian was courteous enough to greet the driver, while Noah offered nothing more than a brusque nod.

He earned a glare from her, and he knew she’d scold him later. But hey, she was the one who insisted she didn’t want him to change.

“If he wasn’t home, you wouldn’t object?” he asked, picking up their earlier conversation.

“With all the staff around?” she questioned.

“I didn’t peg you as a prude,” he teased.

“I’m not an exhibitionist either. You’re going to behave while we’re here,” she warned.

“I will. I understand you’re a bit uneasy, but you’ll get a chance to discuss the compensation issue with my brother. He’s invited us to a barbecue on Sunday,” he informed her.

“What’s with your family and barbecues?” she asked.

“We didn’t use to have them. My brother started the tradition after he moved to the suburbs. He always wanted to host them,” he explained.

“Will there be other guests?” she inquired.

“Yes, a few of his friends,” he confirmed.

“Why not ask him to invite your ex-wife and her new husband?” she suggested.

“Are you keen to meet them?” he asked.

“I wouldn’t mind, but that’s not my intention,” she clarified.

“Explain,” he urged.

“They could mingle, and something might come up for her husband. Pride aside, he can’t reject every opportunity out of fear it’s charity,” she reasoned.

“You know, I’m willing to help, but hanging out with my ex isn’t exactly my idea of fun,” he confessed, wrinkling his nose.

“Do you still have feelings for her?” she teased.

“None at all,” he responded, honestly and simply.

“Then why should you care? She’s moved on, and you’re long over her,” she pointed out.

“I’ve told you, I was never in love with Dorothy,” he reminded her.

“Well, there you go. If she comes, you won’t have to interact with her if you don’t want to. I’ll handle it because I can be much more charming than you,” she declared.