Page 24 of Prove Me Wrong
“I don’t know if I’m natural, I just think your daughter is a well-behaved angel,” I huff out nervously.
Noah chuckles and uncrosses his strong arms. “Yeah, she is.” He moves closer to see what I’m cooking up for him. “You didn’t need to make me dinner, Grey.”
His scent fills my nose at his proximity, woodsy and metallic. “I don’t mind. And I wouldn’t want you to have to make it after coming home from work. I’m sure you’re tired.” The words come out shakier than I wanted.
He shrugs, gaze falling on me as I switch off the stove before his chicken burns.
“Not as tired as normal,” he admits. I can’t stop the way my chest blooms at his deeper tone. “I have to shower quickly to get rid of thissweat and oil. I’ll be back down in ten minutes if you don’t mind sticking around for a bit longer.”
“Of course I don’t,” I admit softly.
Nodding, Noah disappears upstairs. I smile at Jade, who is still shovelling potatoes into her mouth, when I hear the shower water running.
He comes back down less than ten minutes later when I am setting his plate of food down on the table. Looking up, his hair is freshly washed and tousled with slight waves. Water droplets fall down his temples and a light grey tee clings to his broad frame, displaying the logo of Reign Racing.He must have dozens of these shirts.
“Aren’t you going to join me, Grey?” His voice is deep as he stops a foot away from me.
Biting my bottom lip, I shake my head. “I wasn’t sure you’d want me to.” A crease deepens between his brows, and I speak up before he can. “And Gran would have already made me something. You know how much she loves to cook.”
Noah chuckles. “I have to admit that I do love it when June cooks me anything. But if you’re going to make me dinner, then you should stay to eat with me.” His smile falters slightly. “Only if you want to, though. I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
My throat works as I consider his offer for a moment. Apple eyes peer down into mine as Noah waits for me to say something. The fact that he doesn’t want to pressure me into something as simple as sitting down for a meal with him sends a flutter in my stomach.
Does he know how nervous he makes me? Can he hear how my pulse rattles when he’s close to me?
I clear my throat, murmuring, “I should be going. Gran will be expecting me home.”
Reaching for my bag, his words make me halt. “Thank you for helping me out with this, Grey. I have a feeling you’re going to love spending more time with Jade.”
My gaze hits his, and my breath hitches. I nod. “You’re welcome, thirty-four.” I toss him a small smile, his dimples growing in response. “I’ll see you on Thursday.”
I leave before my pulse bursts from how fast it’s racing.
Chapter Nine
NOAH
“It’s a good thing that she’s better than you expected,” Nathan murmurs, plonking beside me on the couch with a beer in his hand.
I sip on my own while bouncing Jade on my lap. I can tell she’s going to fall asleep soon, but I’m trying to keep her awake while the game is on; otherwise, Nathan’s shouting will wake her up, and it’s a nightmare trying to get her back to sleep.
She reaches out to Nathan, who slides her off my leg and cuddles her closely. “You see that player. He’s new, but really good. I think in two years, when his contract is up, every NBA team is going to be fighting over him.” Nathan’s explanation washes over Jade, her gaze locked on the TV.
Glancing sideways at them, I grin at how gentle Nate is with Jade. He’s always so boisterous and energetic. Don’t get me wrong, he is that way most of the time with her, but he’s also very tender when he wants to be. I’m so glad my friends were so helpful when I had Jade. Nathan coaches kids at the local basketball courts while running the organisation, so I like to think it gave him an ample amount of practice before she came along.
Jade's bright green eyes blink between Nathan and the TV as he shouts at the referee for a foul call.
Leaning back into the couch, I take another sip of my beer, smirking at Nathan’s irritation. He gets so into games that he sometimes forgets the people aren’t here in person.
My fingernail picks at the sticker on the bottle. Nate looks down, noticing my bad habit, and groans. “What is it?”
I frown. “What are you talking about?”
He nods to my fingers. I stop and place the bottle on the coffee table.
“You’re overthinking again.”
I grunt and lean my head back on the couch. “I don’t overthink, Nate.”
