Page 83 of Purchase Power
“Thought that just because we couldn’t have dinner together, didn’t mean we couldn’t have a snack.” Noah didn’t often admit it, but… “Did I ever tell you that I love chocolate? Especially with whipped cream.”
Lucy looked up from the cherry dangling before her face.None of that spark is behind her eyes. Shit. She really must be mad at me.“I’ve seen you eat enough of it that I gathered you must like it.” Lucy shrugged. “Is it weird that you like chocolate?”
“Some men are a bit threatened by it, for some reason.”
“Ah. But you’re not. You’re not like the other men, huh?”
Noah was almost taken aback, but caught onto her rouse quickly. “See? I’m catching on to when you’re serious.”
“I’m still trying to figure out when you’re serious.”
Noah held up a bite of brownie to her lips. Lucy parted them, but she was in no hurry to bite with fervor.
“Is it all right?” Noah asked.
She swallowed. “Very nice. Very gooey.”
Bite after bite entered her mouth without a word. Noah stared at her for a few seconds before taking more bites of his own.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something…”
Lucy continued chewing. The more she ate the brownie, the more it seemed like she was chomping and swallowing for the sole purpose of getting out of a conversation. Noah persisted.
“I want to talk about us.”
Lucy lowered her fork. “Us. There’s something to talk about, regarding us?”
“Well, yes… I thought that was pretty clear last weekend.”
“Ah, before you booted me out and I was banished to some other hotel?”
“I’m very sorry about that, Lucy. It was imperative you not be around my mother. She’s not… she’s not very understanding…”
“She made it quite clear what she thinks about your whores, Mr. Gabriel.”
“For the love of… call me Noah, Lucy.”
“I don’t very much well feel like it right now.”
What was that supposed to mean? Was she still so sore about what happened that all of this was for show? Was the sex they had completely meaningless? She didn’t think this was all still contractual, did she?
No. Even in the beginning, it hadn’t just been a contract to her.
“Is everything all right, Lucy? I could give you a better apology, if that’s what you want.”
“Why bother? It’s in the past. I’m assuming you want me to come back to your house for the final week of our contract? Or is your mother still in Gabriel Manor?”
“She has returned to her own house for now.” Noah narrowed his brows. “I think it’s best if you don’t get out of this, Lucy. What is bothering you so much?”
Her head spun in his direction so quickly that he almost had whiplash on her behalf. “You never did answer my text.”
“Which text?”
“The one I sent last Wednesday! I asked if you had been married, and you never replied.”
“Is that what this is about?” Noah still didn’t understand it. He vaguely recalled a text along that manner earlier in the week, but had he responded? He couldn’t remember. Surely, he must have…
Wednesday. Wasn’t that the day his mother finally left? Odds were good he was busy coordinating her departure in a way that wouldn’t leave Stacey a mess all over again. She didn’t take well to their mother coming and going as she pleased.She either stays there, or she stays away. My sister cannot handle such volatile transitions.It was better for everyone if Tonya stayed away.
