Friends Like These

by Carina Taylor

  “That would have saved me a lot of trouble.” A voice said from the front seat. I hadn’t even thought to look at who was driving the car. I’d been so focused on Noah and pushing him beyond his boundaries.

  “Well, if it isn’t Clark Kent, the professional kidnapper.” I met his eyes in the rearview mirror. He held up a roll of duct tape and waved it around.

  “Here, Noah, we’re prepared. I don’t want to have to listen to her whining the whole way there.”

  I leaned forward and flicked the back of his ear.

  “Ouch, wow, real mature, Pager-pager.”

  Noah snatched me back to his side before I could launch a full assault on the driver. I turned and pressed my face against Noah’s chest. He smelled so good. I’d missed his smell in the week we’d been apart. I ran my hand back and forth across his abdomen just to reassure myself that he was really here, that he was holding me.

  “So, your grand gesture is to torture me by making me ride with Superman?”

  “Yes, I asked myself; what’s the sure way to make sure she spends the rest of her life with me? Then I realized that if you spent some time in Kent’s company, I would seem like the better option.” He whisper-yelled loud enough for Kent to hear.

  I laughed, “You’re right, that could push me into anyone’s arms, though.”

  Noah smiled and leaned his head down to kiss my forehead while he stroked my hair gently. “We’re going on a trip.”

  “What?”

  “We’re taking a week off. Kent’s dropping us off at the airport.”

  He was being spontaneous—for me. “I didn’t ask for time off.”

  “I called and talked with Cletus. You have time off. We’ll be back before you have any spring decorating to do.”

  I hated taking care of pesky details, like managing dates and work schedules. And going on a trip with him sounded wonderful. “You’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

  “I keep telling you to get your eyes checked,” he teased.

  “Wait—you said Kent’s taking us to the airport? As in, right now? Right this minute?”

  Noah smiled and nodded.

  I sat up and smacked his chest, “I don’t have my purse or any clothes. Turn around and give me a little while to pack.”

  Noah raised his eyebrows at me. “Please give me a little more credit than that. Cletus brought me your purse and phone, and Jenny packed a suitcase with everything you’ll need in it.”

  I bit my lip to keep from laughing. He even had that planned down to the last detail. “Well, thanks, and I think I need to have some words with Cletus about going behind my back. And just wait until I get my hands on Jenny. She has the worst fashion sense I’ve ever seen. If you think I’m going to wear the clothes she packed—”

  I didn’t get another word out because Noah’s lips were pressed against mine, stealing my breath away. He held my head in place with one hand while he slowly explored my lips.

  As if I’d try to get away. I loved his kisses, and I intended to kiss him as much as humanly possible. We would become record breakers for the longest-lasting kiss.

  “Get a room!” Kent called from the front seat.

  “Now can I kill him?” I asked Noah. I’d been so lost in our kiss that I didn’t know how long we’d sat there tangled together. I would gladly use my golf club on Kent right then.

  “We need him to take us to the airport.”

  “Where are we going?”

  He smiled knowingly at me. “It’s a surprise. Jenny was pretty sure you’d like it. She said you’d like the whole grand-gesture kidnapping thing too.”

  “You mean to tell me that you believed Jenny when she told you to kidnap me?” I couldn’t imagine him being swayed by someone. And I think the fact that he was willing to go to such lengths to show me that he cared was the true grand gesture. Forget kidnapping.

  “I suggested an empty warehouse where you could dump the body,” Kent suggested helpfully.

  I ignored him, and Noah did too because he closed the distance between us and wrapped both his arms around my shoulders and kissed me like he meant it. He kissed me like he wasn’t going to let me go. He kissed me like he didn’t want a stuffy girlfriend.

  “I have one favor to ask.”

  “Okay.” I licked my lips. He’d left a hint of cinnamon behind.

  “Please don’t hang anymore of your Picasso paintings in the club.”

  “My Picassos aren’t that bad. I mean, I’ve seen worse in art galleries.”

  “We’re here!” Kent interrupted my defense of my paintings as he stopped the car in the drop-off zone at the airport.

  “You need to tell me where we are going since you kidnapped me,” I told him as he helped me out of the car. I loved what a gentleman he was. I also loved that he thought it was a good idea to kidnap me. He opened the rear trunk and pulled out two large suitcases.

  “What are those for?”

  He smiled at me. “Our trip.”

  “Oh no, Jenny probably packed everything we don’t need. She probably forgot to add any clothes or anything useful.”

  Noah set down the suitcases and grabbed my chin. He stared into my eyes. I wondered if he realized there were other people on the sidewalk next to us. Public displays of affection weren’t his thing.

  He leaned closer until our breath mingled. “What is it?”

  “I love you, Page, you swung your way into my life. I want you in my life. I’m sorry you ever doubted my love for you. I’m sorry my actions made you doubt that love. Please don’t leave me again. My heart can’t take it.”

  “Try and make me.”

  “It’s because of you that I’ve started to feel at peace again. You’ve reminded me how to enjoy the moment, not always rush forward because we have to stay on a schedule. Because of you, I started willingly taking time off of work. Because of you, I’ve begun reconnecting with my sister. You’ve reminded me what’s important in life. With your help, I’m going to continue living in the moment.”

  I reached up and gently brushed my fingers against his cheek. “There is no one else like you, Noah. And you’re all mine. Now, where are we going?”

  His smile stretched from ear to ear. “We’re getting married in Vegas.”

  I choked on the cinnamon gum in my mouth. I tried to suck in a breath, but my lungs seemed to have collapsed. “What did you say?” I wheezed.

  “We’re getting married in Vegas.”

  “That’s what I thought you said.” I shook my head. “You haven’t even asked me.”

  “I love you. You love me. We both want to spend the rest of our lives together, so let’s do that.” He pulled something out of his pocket and slipped it onto my finger.

  It was a rose-gold band, shaped and designed like roses and leaves leading up to a brown diamond. It was gorgeous and unique — no solitaire diamond for me.

  “Where did you find this?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I had it made a month after we started dating. I knew you were the one for me. I was hanging onto it for just the right time, but you’ve pushed me too far this time. You don’t get to wait until our first dating anniversary—you get it now.”

  “This is—” I held my hand up in the air and studied it. There was a beautiful ring on my finger—on my ring finger. The man wanted to marry me—marry me that weekend. “Well, I guess I have to marry you now. This ring is too pretty to part with.”

  I shrugged as if I were able to stop gaping at it.

  He grinned at me. “You realize you’re waving at everyone who walks into the airport right now.

  I glanced around and noticed people staring at my raised hand. “Oh well. Let them look. They can see exactly what an engagement ring should look like.”

  He grinned and shoved his hands in his pockets.

  “You’re always shoving your hands in your pockets! Is it a nervous habit?”

  “Want to know why?” he growled.

  Oh, this was new. He leaned towa
rds me. “I had to keep my hands occupied and away from you, or I would do this.”

  He was so fast I didn’t even see him move. He grabbed me around my waist and yanked me against his chest. Then his hands were plundering my hair, his lips pressed against my mouth, kissing me to the depths of my soul.

  When he finally pulled away, I was breathless.

  “That’s why I keep my hands in my pockets.”

  I licked my lips. “I’m going to have to buy you some pocketless pants because that wasn’t so bad.”

  “One more comment like that—”

  He didn’t get to finish because I reached up and pulled his mouth back to mine. Two could play this game.

  He pulled back and smiled at me. “We’re getting married.”

  I locked my hands together behind his waist. “You realize that getting married doesn’t just automatically fix our problems, right?”

  Noah leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I know. But I want to spend the rest of my life with you—problems and all. I’m trying to show you how much I care about you and love you.”

  “How does marrying me prove that?”

  “It’s not the marrying that proves that—it’s the part that follows.”

  I waggled my eyebrows.

  He smirked. “Not that. I meant we’re traveling.”

  “What?”

  “You and I are traveling. Going abroad. Taking a vacation. Going on holiday. Take your pick. We’re doing it. We’re going to make our businesses fit around our traveling schedule. I’m going to spend my life showing you how much I love you and how much you matter to me.”

  “You’re taking a break from your routine and business for me?”

  “You matter to me. This relationship isn’t going to just be us hanging around The Garden. I don’t want to wake up one day and realize that all I’ve done is work and ignore the most amazing woman in the world. From now on, you are my priority.”

  I sighed. “And you’ll always be mine.”

  EPILOGUE

  NOAH

  “You beat me to it.”

  I spun around to find Hagen standing behind me in his black tux, his hair styled for once. It even looked like he’d shaved his stubble for the day.

  The day.

  The day Kylie and Page had been freaking out about for a couple of months now.

  Kylie and Hagen’s wedding day.

  “What exactly did I beat you at?” I straightened my jacket sleeve. “There have been so many things.”

  Hagen laughed. “Oh, that’s funny. I was telling you that you beat me at something because I wanted you to have at least one success in your life.”

  “I’m still not sure what you’re talking about, but you look like you’ve never tied a tie before.” I dropped my phone in my pocket. Kent had texted to let me know everything had been fine at the golf course over the last month.

  Hagen’s hand shot up to his neck and patted the limp, crooked bow tie. “It’s not that bad, is it?”

  I nodded.

  With a groan, he pulled it loose and set about retying it. Each attempt was worse than the last.

  “What was it I won?” I asked.

  “You got married first. Thank goodness Kylie isn’t one of those petty people. Because I know it would upset some women to have their cousin eloping only a short while before their wedding.”

  I couldn’t stand watching his bumbling hands anymore. I knocked them out of the way and quickly tied the bow knot.

  “I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Were you this nervous?”

  I nodded and straightened the tie one last time. “I thought I was going to end up in a heap at Elvis’s feet.”

  Hagen chuckled at that. Yes, it had been an Elvis wedding. Page had been so excited she acted like we were getting married in Buckingham Palace.

  “It’s just—Kylie’s something else. I’m scared she’ll wake up and realize she could have done better than me.”

  Shaking my head, I glanced around the corner and down the hall.

  Page exited a room a few doors down.

  I stepped away from the doorway and turned to answer him. “You know, if she hasn’t come to her senses by now, she probably never will. You’re in luck.”

  Hagen snorted. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

  “Anytime.”

  Page stepped around the corner, wearing a pale-yellow dress. Her hair was twisted together somehow and draped over her shoulder. She smiled and reached up to tug me down by my lapels. She kissed me soundly, then pulled back. “You look good in black.”

  “You look good in no—” She kissed me again to cut off what I was going to say. Something I’d learned in our short time together as a married couple: it was possible to embarrass her.

  “Look what you’ve done. You’ve crushed my collar.” I pretended to be offended as I pushed her away. “Keep your hands to yourself, woman. There’s an unmarried child present.”

  We glance at Hagen, who was busy wiping his sweaty palms against his pants.

  “Oh, don’t mind me. I think I’ll go down the hall and revisit my breakfast.” Hagen dashed out of the room, looking a little pale.

  “Quit picking on Hagen. Besides, I left a wrapped Picasso imitation on the gift table.”

  I pulled her tight against me, relieved that she’d finally realized imitation painting wasn’t her strong suit. “You’re right. I have much more important things to do than harass Hagen on his wedding day.”

  “Oh, you do?” Page bit her bottom lip. “And what is that exactly?”

  “Kiss my wife.”

  The END

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you for reading Friends Like These!

  This was a fun and unusual story to write, thanks to Grandpa Jim.

  My Grandpa used to tell me stories all the time: most of them were snake stories. Since he grew up around the swamps and bayous, he had a lot of run-ins with big ugly snakes. Now, I’m not sure how much was true, or how much was just a “snake story” but my Grandpa imparted a love of stories to me at a young age. That is something I will be forever grateful for!

  I hope you enjoyed Page and Noah’s story and that it made you smile, or even better—ugly laugh.

  There’s nothing I love quite as much as making people smile.

  Here’s to smiling at the odd, strange, humorous things that happen in our daily lives!

  More from Carina Taylor:

  Neighbors Like That

  KYLIE

  He started our war–I intend to finish it.

  Buying a house in the suburbs was supposed to be low stress: my own little haven to decorate and landscape exactly how I want. Instead I find myself locking my garbage can to keep pests out–pests that are six-foot-one, green-eyed, and far too good looking.

  My trespassing neighbor is rude and entitled. It isn’t long before war is declared and I find myself stooping to immature pranks.

  When trouble lands at my door, my unlikely neighbor starts knocking on my heart. Was I ready to answer?

  HAGEN

  I will win no matter what it takes.

  I moved to this neighborhood for a fresh start. The one thing I’m not looking for is a relationship, so when I mistakenly assume my neighbor is hitting on me, I lash out at her.

  I didn’t mean to start the war, but now she taunts me from across the street. Our harmless pranks have become the highlight of my day. I should stay away–but I can’t. I want to spend more time with her.

  When a stalker begins sending Kylie a series of notes, I’m only too willing to help protect her.

  Maybe I’m looking for a relationship after all.

  Christmas Like This

  MARLA

  I know exactly what I’d like to put in Trey’s stocking: the biggest lump of coal I can carry.

  Unfortunately, I won’t get the chance, because our boss has delivered an ultimatum: plan the company Christmas party with Trey and learn to get along, or else.

  After only one
day of trying to plan the Christmas party, I’m ready to pick the “or else.” Is it possible to learn to get along with the most aggravating, overprotective, handsome guy I’ve ever known?

  We’re about to find out if we can get our names off the naughty list or not.

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  Did you love Friends Like These? Then you should read Mr. H.O.A. by Carina Taylor!

  Bane Fox knows exactly what he wants in life: financial stability.

  He does not want to be homeless.

  He does not want to be the president of an HOA.

  It's rather unfortunate he is both of those things.

  Oh, and did I forget to mention he has a fake wife?

  Yeah, that's me.

  Enjoy this laugh out loud fake marriage romantic comedy!

  Also by Carina Taylor

  A Love Like This

  Neighbors Like That

  Friends Like These

  Fake It

  Miss Trailerhood (Coming Soon)

  Only in Colter

  The Perfect Plan

  Standalone

  Love on Willow Loop

  Mr. H.O.A.