Page 127 of Beauty
“What are you doing here?” I say by way of greeting.
“Do you know him?” Garreth asks, straightening beside me.
Noah breaks into a smile. It’s one I’ve never seen before, and it looks all wrong. This isn’t the friendly one he uses at the arena when dealing with fans, and it most certainly isn’t the gentle one he uses with his son. It’s not unfriendly, though there’s a mocking quality to it, I suppose. It’s cocky. And sexy as fuck, if I’m honest.
“She does.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Noah. I’m Sienna’s.”
Garreth glances from Noah’s outstretched hand to me and then back again. “Sienna’s what?”
“JustSienna’s.” Noah sears me with a look full of dirty, filthy, painful promise.
I’ve never even considered categorizing this…connection between us. Or maybe I have. More than once, I told him to stay away from me. I told him we couldn’t be anything more than friends.
But it’s obvious now that his statement is 100 percent accurate. He’s mine and I’ve only ever been his. Outside of that,I don’t have the first clue what we are. But from the moment we met six years ago, those two things have been categorically true.
He’s mine.
As if he can sense the moment I come to that realization, a proud smirk creeps onto his face and his blue eyes warm.
That warmth pulls a smile from deep within me. The news Garreth just shared is incredible. Truly. But only this man has ever left me feeling this light. This right within myself. It makes even the brightest moments in my life pale in comparison.
“Okay,” Garreth says slowly, once again glancing at me.
I feel bad, truly. But I’m as lost by this turn of events as he is.
“I’m Sienna’s?—”
“Ex,” Noah interjects.
My heart stutters in surprise. How does he?—
“Garreth Hanson.” Jaw locked, said ex finally shakes Noah’s hand. “And yes, Sienna’s ex.”
“Yup. And I’m her future.” Noah looks at me, a brow arched, like he’s waiting for me to object.
But my mouth couldn’t formulate a sentence, even if I tried. The air thickens with tension and my pulse thrums wildly. This is so unlike the calm, collected man I’m used to. Then again, maybe this is the man who fought on the ice after seeing me in a jersey that may or may not have belonged to him. Maybe his possessive side is more savage than I realized. If that’s the case, I should probably rein them both in.
“Garreth was just giving me some good news,” I explain.
Beside me, Garreth straightens and adjusts his jacket.
“And I appreciate it immensely.” I give him a grateful look. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you.”
“Just be happy.”
My heart cracks at the genuine affection in his voice.
“I will. Iam.” I hug him gently.
I think we both know this is our true goodbye.
When I release him, he eyes Noah, his mask of professionalism in place. “Be good to her.”
Noah nods. “Always.”
Without another word, Garreth pushes out of the booth and disappears.
“What was that about?” Noah asks.
