Page 50 of Cluelessly Yours

“Me too.” He shrugs. “But I’m thankful I was in the position to take over Kara’s care.”

Noah’s life is the opposite of what I’d pictured in my mind—the carefree bachelor with the entire world at his feet. Instead, he’s the sole provider for his disabled sister, while also managing the schedule of being the head of pediatric anesthesiology at St. Luke’s.

Looks like Brooke was right about him all along…

“She lives in a full-time care facility, one my dad researched and picked out before he passed, but I hired Mary to give her the individualized attention she deserves. Mary spends forty hours a week with her and takes her out on day-trips all the time. I wish I could do it all myself, but I learned within the first six months that doing it all without help was impossible.”

By the way his eyes bore into mine, I have to imagine he’s trying to tell me something.

“I guess all of us need help sometimes,” I acknowledge rather than dodging. I owe him that much for as open as he’s been with me. “Thank you for sharing with me. You didn’t have to, and I’m sure it’s not easy talking about it all, but I’m really thankful you did.” I reach out and place my hand over his. “You’re a really good man, Noah. Your sister is lucky to have you as a brother.”

He shakes his head. “I’m the lucky one. Kara’s what keeps me sane.”

“I understand. Sisters are special. I don’t know what I’d do without Brooke, but I’m almost positive I wouldn’t be doing it in New York. Without her, I never would have been able to manage the move.”

“Are you happy here?”

“Yes.” My voice is emphatic. “I know with all my heart New York is where I belong. It’s where my boys belong. I can’t see myself living anywhere else now that we’re here.”

Noah smiles over at me. “That’s good. Because I can’t picture New York without you now.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I snort and nudge him playfully in the shoulder. “You’d manage without me. And Lord knows the city would certainly manage without my crazy kids.”

“It doesn’t mean I’dwant tomanage.” Noah winks. “It might be selfish, but I’m happy you gave up your Midwest roots to come here.”

“It wasn’t a hard choice. Ohio isn’t the most exciting place to live.”

“I’m sure Ohio can be fun.”

I eye him skeptically. “Have you ever been to Ohio?”

“Well, no,” he answers. “But it can’t be that bad.”

“Quick question,” I say, staring at him with pursed lips. “When you’re at the airport and you see the gate for…I don’t know…Cleveland, Ohio… Do you think, ‘Man, I wish I were going there!’ or do you just feel sympathy for the poor souls sitting at that gate?”

His response is pure laughter.

“See!” I exclaim and poke my index finger into his manly bicep.

“But I didn’t say anything!” he retorts, his voice still full of hilarity.

“You didn’t have to,” I counter with a knowing smile. “Your lack of response said it all.”

“I plead the Fifth.”

“Of course you do!” I laugh. “One day, I’m going to drag you to Hometown, Ohio, with me and let you experience a real Midwest culture shock.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?” he questions. “Because I’m hoping it’s a promise.”

I roll my eyes and take a drink from myfourthglass of wine. Since I’m a fair-weather drinker, that’s all I need to know about the passing of time. But no matter how long we’ve been sitting here, it still feels like it’s been hardly any time at all.

I’m enjoying myself more tonight, sitting in a simple bar sharing nothing more than conversation, than I have in a long-ass time.

Internally, I cringe. Is it bad that I’m having this much fun with Noah after my night with Gavin ended so horribly? Should I be feelingthishappy right now?

I don’t know. But I am.

I can’t believe I almost missed out on it by running away again.

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