Page 87 of My Kind of Trouble
Plus, with the baby around the corner and a new chapter in their life that they were both excited to start, being under the same roof to prepare and then parent together made sense.
Although Alex insisted that they would move out and get a bigger place soon and that above a bar was no place to raise a baby, Noa kind of liked it, for now, at least. It meant, even when Alex was at work, he was never far, and she had such fond memories there now—the day they found out they were going to be parents and admitted they loved each other and all those nights that followed, thoroughly christening every room.
It was their first home together, as well as the place where Noa had both finished her first novel and found out she was getting a book deal with a large publisher. It was where they’d spent many nights, curled up together in front of the fire,falling even deeper in love. So, for now, they would remain in the flat, and she knew they would make many more memories there.
Noa waddled over to where Lola and Tes chatted at the bar. Fairy lights now hung above them, one of a few new décor alterations that The Brew had seen, that Alex said were inspired by their trip. There was even a small paper lantern they had brought back as a memento hung above the till. Alex said he liked to look at the memory whilst he worked.
She smiled at the girls who sat huddled together by the bar, as if plotting something devious.
Oh lord, help her if these two became friends. Though, there was something in the picture of them that had Noa assessing whether that was all it was. The way that Lola slapped Tes’s arm and fluttered her lashes as she laughed animatedly at something her best friend had said. It looked flirty, almost. As did their posture. They leaned into each other, knees almost touching.
Noa shook off the idea. Clearly the hormones and the sexy man she got to go home to every night were getting to her and now she saw romance everywhere.
Lola had finally finished her year-long travelling stint and was back in her hometown. She and Noa had kept in touch and remained close, so when she had mentioned the baby shower to Lola, she had practically begged her to let her come and visit for it. Noa got the impression that Lola had outgrown her tiny village whilst she was away and was itching to leave again.
‘So, I see you two have met.’
Lola suddenly sat up, almost unnaturally straight, as she turned in Noa’s direction.
‘Yeah, no thanks to you, little miss hostess with the mostest,’ Tes quipped, her teasing tone causing Lola’s shoulders to relax a little.
Noa rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at Tes as she leaned in to embrace Lola in a hug. The hug proved a little more difficult than it had when they’d said goodbye nine months ago, with what felt like a whole watermelon strapped to her front. But Lola only chuckled, then held Noa at arm’s length, scrutinising her.
‘Hell, you are the best-looking pregnant woman I have ever seen. I bet all the others just hate you for pulling off that bump so well.’
Noa just scoffed and brushed her off. Her and her ever-changing body had a love-hate relationship, but she wasn’t going to get into that here.
‘I know,’ Tes responded. ‘I’ve been saying this the whole time. It’s just a pity you’re insistent on carrying on batting for the other team, because my best friend is hot and we could have been so happy together,’ Tes mused, batting her lashes at the sky as if imagining some alternate reality.
‘You couldn’t handle me,’ Noa joked, pushing her shoulder before starting to step away from where the two were perched. ‘On that note, Lola, look after Tes for me, will you? She likes to get herself into trouble. Now, I don’t know who’s worse than who and this town can only take so much drunken debauchery, so please don’t corrupt each other whilst I’m gone.’
‘Where are you going that’s more important than here?’ Tes grumped.
Noa just looked over her shoulder, winking, ‘You’ll see.’
Noa made her way over to the hunk of a man that stood deep in conversation with her dad and Ryan, hooking her armsthrough his so they surrounded him from behind, meeting at his middle—or, almost. Again, this baby bump was a pain in the ass, and she would be glad when she could go back to being as close to her man as humanly possible.
‘Hey, Trouble,’ he drawled in that sexy voice of his.
Noa was amazed that she had gone so long without having this man in this capacity, and yet, now that she had, she couldn’t get enough of him and didn’t think she would ever get tired of having him close to her.
‘Hey, you. I think it’s time we go make a speech and thank our guests, don’t you?’
Alex gruffed. She knew he hated public speaking, but he followed after her to the band-stand where a microphone was positioned. When they got to it, she let him take the lead. He cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention, tapping the microphone for good measure.
‘So, boss lady over here…’ he began pointing his thumb in Noa’s direction where she stood by his side, her hand in his. ‘She says that, apparently, it’s customary at these things to make a speech and thank all your guests for coming. Now, I know that in this town, no one says no to a party or free food and drink, so I think I should be saying “you’re welcome”.’
Noa elbowed him and tried to hold in a laugh.
‘But, on a serious note, we appreciate all of you for coming out today, for being a part of our journey, and for all your help and support. We are about to embark on our biggest adventure yet, and I am a lucky son of a bitch for getting to do it with this incredible woman by my side. So, whilst I’m here, I just wanted to say thank you to you too, Noa, for choosing me, loving me, and making me the happiest man alive. I can’t wait to watch you become a mum. Me and that baby in there are so lucky to call you ours.’
Noa swiped at the tears free-falling down her face.
‘You know my emotions are all over the place. Were you trying to make me cry?’
Alex kissed her in response, only a peck, but it meant the world as he poured all his love into that one brush of their lips, here in front of everyone they knew.
Noa looked back up at him as he pulled away, remembering what she had planned to do. He had a tendency of turning her brain to mush every time he kissed her, plus with her baby brain, it was a wonder she remembered at all. but, as Alex went to step down off the band-stand, Noa grabbed the mic.
