Page 98 of How to Love Your Neighbor
Josh laughed, slipped his arm around Rosie. “He does say it all pretty nonchalantly, doesn’t he? Josh, can you schedule me a dentist appointment, and there’s this house on the other side of town I think I should make an offer on. Set that up as well.”
The girls laughed at Josh’s impersonation. Noah rolled his eyes and reached for Grace’s hand. “I have never asked you to make me a dentist appointment.”
They laughed harder, walking to the door and finally saying good night.
Noah lifted Grace’s hand in the elevator, pressed his lips to her knuckles. “You have fun?”
“I did. You?”
He nodded. “I kind of like hanging out with a couple as a couple.”
They stepped off the elevator, headed for the exit. “Kind of?”
He stopped them just before they pushed the door open. “If I had to choose, my preference would be just you and me, but yeah, if we need to socialize, it’s cool to have mutual friends.”
Every time he confirmed things she felt, the more hopeful she became. Maybe the other shoe wouldn’t drop.Or maybe you’ll break up and have to split the friends.
Noah ran his finger from her forehead down the bridge of her nose. “That was supposed to be a good thing, not something to make your nose crinkle.”
She laughed.Here and now. Focus on that.“It is a good thing. A great thing.”
When they got back to his place, she wondered if it was presumptuous to head to his bedroom. It’d become routine, but maybe he wanted some space, especially if he had an early meeting. Before she could ask him, Noah pulled her into a deep,thought-dissolving kiss. When he pulled back, smoothed a hand down her hair, he asked, “You need to grab anything from your place or are we good to head to bed?”
Her heart filled like a balloon.Looks like it’s okay to be presumptuous.
She wrapped her arms around him. “I have everything I need right here.”
37
Noah wanted a real office space. He loved what Grace designed, and if he was paying bills or sending emails, it worked. But he wanted to get up in the morning andgointo the office. He finished up his second meeting of the day before texting Josh.
Noah
Keep looking for a space to lease or buy. I’m losing home field advantage every time. It’s pissing me off.
Josh
On it, boss. Don’t like doing it from home?
Noah liked the house a lot. Loved the way the space was coming together, but with everything else going on, it wasn’t conducive to working.
Noah
It’s not working.
Josh
I’ll have a list of places for you by the end of the day. Did the meetings so far go okay?
Noah frowned, reminded of how similar the outcomes of both had been. He’d had these guys. They wanted his investment, his name. These meetings were supposed to be formalities, deal closers. But both companies had gone “a different direction.” Was it him? Were these guys picking up on the fact that his priorities were shifting? He spent more time thinking about his house, the community center, and office space than investments. People could read passion. Was his dimming visibly?
Noah
Not great. I’m going to get ready to go golfing and hope I can get Sergio and his friends to invest in the community center. Keep your fingers crossed.
Josh
Skalifajarioelald.
