Page 60 of The Holiday Ex-Files

Wow. He really had it bad for this woman. I had to admit if Noah looked at me that way and told me he loved me, I think . . . I think . . .

Say it, Cami. You feel something for him. Please admit it, Miss Sparkly pleaded.

It didn’t matter what I felt; Noah’s eyes begged me to take away his misery. I wish I knew how, but Miss Sparkly was withering inside. Her sparkles were more like a dim light. I felt for her. I felt for Noah. Yes, I might have even felt for myself. But there was a woman out there, probably Annika, that Noah had waited years for. I felt sorry for her too.

“I’m sorry, Noah. I wish I knew how I could help you.” I really did. No matter how I felt about relationships or even how unsettled I felt now, Noah deserved happiness. He was a good man who saw the good in others, even when we didn’t deserve it.

His hands dropped and he hung his head. “I wish you did, too. More than you know.”

“Maybe I could help if you told me a little more about her.” You know, like a name?

He laughed a tired laugh. “She’s everything I’ve ever wanted. When she walked into my life, I knew she was the one, but she’s never seen me that way.”

“Have you ever told her how you feel about her?”

“Yes, but she’s not listening,” he complained.

She must have an iron will. I didn’t know there was a woman alive who wouldn’t fall for Noah Cullen if he said he loved her to her face. You know, except me.

That’s a lie.

I ignored that comment. “Well,”—I smiled, though Miss Sparkly was not happy about it—“perhaps she’s not ready yet, or maybe she’s not the one.” Miss Sparkly made me say that at the end.

“She’s the one, Cams. That, I know.”

Don’t say it, don’t say it.

You would say it. You know you would.

Miss Sparkly sighed. You’re right. I can’t be selfish.

It’s not who we are. And it wasn’t.

“Then she’s worth waiting for.”

Noah smiled a genuine smile. “She is.”

Though my heart pricked, it felt good to help my friend. “So, I’ll meet you there?” I needed a moment to decompress. I felt a sense of loss I didn’t expect. Like I had lost my best friend.

“Oh no. You’re driving with us.”

“It’s okay. This way you won’t have to go out of your way again.”

“Cams, I really am sorry. Please come with us.”

“I’m not upset with you. How could I be? You’ve been more than kind to me. But maybe it would be best if we didn’t hang out. Perhaps the woman you love is hesitant because she thinks you’re not available. I mean, look at all the photo shoots you do. And if I saw the guy I liked with another woman, I would think twice.” More like a hundred times over.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hell.”

“I’m obviously frustrating you.” Though I wasn’t sure why. I thought I was being helpful. A good friend even.

“If you only knew, Cams.” He gave me a strained smile.

“See, I should drive myself.”

The boys had now reached their patience limit and were pounding on the windows and yelling that it was time to go.

Noah unceremoniously took my hand. “You’re coming with us.” He pulled me toward his truck like a gentlemanly Neanderthal.

I pulled my hand away from his, just as we almost made it around his truck. Miss Sparkly even agreed I should. Hand-holding to some women was sacred. This woman of his might not appreciate “friendly” hand-holding. “Hey, I really think I should drive myself. I know how women think, and this could be bad for you.”

He rubbed his temples and groaned. “Cams, please just get in the truck.”

“No.”

He seemed to take a cleansing breath as if I were trying his patience. When he calmed himself, he explained, “I swear to you on my mother’s grave, the woman I love, as infuriating as she can be, doesn’t care that we’re friends. In fact, she thinks I’m a better person when we hang out.”

My brow raised. “You talk to her about me?”

“Of course. I have nothing to hide.”

“And she really doesn’t mind? I mean, it’s not like there’s anything going on between us, but I know how women can be.”

“Yeah, big pains,” he grumbled.

“Hey. I’m trying to do the right thing here. I want you to be happy.”

He flashed me his dazzling smile. “If you want to make me happy right now, please get in the truck.”

“Fine. You’re being so bossy. But first, tell me who this woman is.” Miss Sparkly clenched our fists. She wasn’t taking this very well. Yet, we both knew it was better to face the truth head-on. We’d let Ben lie to us for so long because at the time the lies were easier to bear than the truth.

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