by Unknown
“Well, since you put it that way. Organized.”
Noah tossed the shaggy samples aside. “Shorter or taller?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure.”
“Then we’ll go with the medium length. How’s that?”
Cassie nodded slowly, liking the look of the few remaining options. “Any of those are nice.”
“Perfect. Now it comes down to polyester or nylon. Do you have a preference on that?”
“Should I have a preference?”
“Yes,” said Noah. “Polyester is a little less expensive, but it will wear down over time. Nylon will hold its shape a lot better.”
“Nylon it is.”
“All right. Now all that’s left is color.” He pointed to an ugly hue of pinkish orange. “I’m assuming you want this one, right?”
It was awful, but Cassie nodded anyway, keeping a straight face. “I do like that one. It’ll go perfectly with all my pink blankets and slippers.”
The look on Noah’s face said please-tell-me-you’re-joking-because-I-was.
“Yes, that’s definitely the one.”
“Really?”
Her lips twitched. She couldn’t remember the last time she laughed or smiled so much. Maybe never.
“What?” she said. “You don’t think I should pick a carpet based on how well it matches my fuzzy, pink slippers?”
He shook his head and smiled. “If that’s the way you want to pick out carpet, then go for it. Your house, your choice.”
“In that case”—Cassie pointed to two different options—“it’s between these two.” One was a lighter color carpet with darker flecks in it, and the other was slightly darker.
Noah looked them both over and nodded. “I don’t think you could go wrong with either of those.”
“They pass the friend test?” she asked.
“No, they pass the date test,” Noah corrected. “I’ve been upgraded, remember?”
Cassie laughed again, and before she could think twice about it, she stood and held out her hand. “C’mon, let’s go decide on the studio flooring.”
Without hesitating, Noah accepted her hand and immediately interlaced his fingers with hers. Warmth and shivers and happiness filled her, leaving very little room for anxiety. Noah Mackie was nothing like Landon Ellis. And for the first time since meeting Noah, Cassie let herself begin to believe it.
Noah drove slow on purpose.
For someone who claimed to not know her own mind, Cassie had made record fast decisions on all the flooring for her basement. Really, all she’d needed was someone to narrow her options down and explain the pros and cons of each. Noah had hoped it would take a little longer, but now here they were, back in the truck and on their way home with an entire hour and a half before Adelynn and Kajsa got off the bus.
He shouldn’t have been quite so efficient at helping her out.
She’d lowered her guard today, which had been an unexpected surprise. But Noah worried that as soon as time and distance came between them, it would go right back up. Trying to get her to open up was like trying to straighten a spring. The moment he let go, she recoiled.
“Every Breath You Take” by The Police came on the radio, and Cassie turned up the volume. “I don’t really care for the lyrics, but I love the beat of this song,” she said.
Her beautiful, clear voice filled the cab of his truck as she sang. Noah didn’t join in. He just listened, thinking of how his girls would love to hear that voice sing them a bedtime song.
“I’m a pool hall ace,” Cassie sang. “‘Every breath you take.’”
Pool hall ace? Was that what she’d said? Noah threw his head back and cackled. She immediately stopped singing and turned down the volume. “Oh no, I sang the wrong words again, didn’t I?”
“I don’t know.” He flashed her a grin. “Did you say, ‘I’m a pool hall ace’?”
“Um… no?”
“Then what?”
“I said… something different than that.”
He couldn’t stop laughing. She was hilarious. “Let me guess. You said, ‘My poor heart aches.’”
“Right. That’s exactly what I said. ‘My poor heart aches.’” She shook her head and looked out the window. “I guess that does make more sense.”
“You guess?” He lifted her hand and kissed it. “You make me laugh.”
“At least I’m good for something.”
More than ever, Noah didn’t want to drop her off anytime soon. Would it be too much to invite her to dinner? Would his girls mind if they got off the bus and found Ms. Cassie at their house? Would Cassie even accept?
Probably not.
The light in front of them turned red, and Noah slowed to a stop. Across the way, sunlight glinted off the door of what appeared to be a small furniture shop on the corner. A nightstand sat inside the front window, refinished with cream paint and an antique glaze.
Antique. Hmm… Cassie liked antiques.
When the light turned green, Noah drove forward, then made a U-turn. “What do you say we check out that store?” He pointed. “Maybe we can find something you could use for a vanity inside.”
“Okay.”
He parallel parked at the curb, and they both walked inside. Bells jingled, and the smell of musk, oil, and a hint of vanilla met them.
“May I help you?” said a petite woman at the counter. Long, dangling earrings swayed from her ears, nearly touching the woman’s shoulders.
“Just browsing,” said Noah.
She nodded and returned to the book she was reading.
Noah led Cassie past rustic coffee tables, wooden rocking chairs, and a stack of headboards piled against the wall. He was more interested in the dressers he saw near the back.
“I don’t see any vanities,” said Cassie, her finger making a path through the dust on some of the pieces.
“You don’t really need an actual vanity.” Noah released her hand so he could push a few things aside to get a better look at them. “With a few modifications, a chest of drawers or credenza could easily be converted into one. This one, for example, could work just fine.” He studied the distressed cherry dresser, thinking of how he could remove the top drawer, give it a fresh coat of paint, and turn the old relic into something nice and antique-ish. “What do you think?” He glanced over his shoulder at Cassie.
She pressed her lips together, cocked her head to the side, then shook her head. “It’s not my favorite.”
“Is there anything here you do like?”
She turned around and began browsing, fingering knobs on some and trim work on others. She finally paused in front of an actual vanity in the far back corner and bent to open the two cabinet doors.
The size was right and the dark finish on the black walnut beautiful, but that was all it had going for it. Hand carved designs spiraled up the legs, and intricate, garish scrollwork ran across the top and bottom, with even more trim around each cupboard door. It was like the carpenter had crammed all of his ideas and designs into one design.
There was no way Cassie would seriously consider something like that, would she? No, this was another one of her I-like-pink-carpet jokes.
She glanced over her shoulder. “I think this one has potential, don’t you? Though I’d want to refinish it with a lighter color.”
A lighter color? No way. The over-the-top detailing would look even worse, if possible. His lips twitched. “I think you should paint it pink.”
Her eyebrows scrunched together. “Pink? No, I was actually thinking of making it look more like that nightstand in the front window. The cream color one with dark edges.”
Noah searched her face for any sign of humor. But her lips didn’t twitch, her eyes didn’t crinkle, and that adorable dimple remained hidden. But she couldn’t be serious, could she? There was a reason that nightstand was in the front window instead of that vanity. A very good reason.
“Do you think it would look good?” she asked.
The back of Noah’s head su
ddenly felt itchy, so he scratched it instead of answering. If only she’d crack a smile or something—anything to show him she was joking.
Instead, she took a few steps back, cocking her head to the side once more. “I like that there’s nothing contemporary about it. And I love that Landon would have hated it.” She looked at Noah. “Seriously, what do you think?”
So she wasn’t joking. Wow. No wonder Landon had wanted to pick out everything in their house. If this was what her tastes were like… wow. The back of Noah’s neck suddenly felt like ants were crawling all over it. He hated being put on the spot, especially when it came to her. How in the world was he supposed to sugar coat “I can’t stand it”?
Nothing came to mind, so he remained silent and continued to rub his neck.
“You hate it,” she said, watching him.
“I wouldn’t say ‘hate,’” he finally hedged, dropping his hand to his side.
“What would you say then?”
That it’s hideous and gaudy beyond all reason. “That if you really like it, you should get it.” Though he couldn’t imagine her not coming to regret the purchase, especially the first time something spilled down the front of the cabinets and she had to try to clean it out of all those little nooks and crannies.
“But you don’t like it,” she said.
“It’s not about what I like, it’s about what you like.”
“What don’t you like about it?” Her eyes searched his, curious. “I really want to know.”
Not knowing what else to do, Noah shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “Well, don’t you think it’s kind of… I don’t know, kitschy?”
The expression froze on her face, making it impossible for Noah to even guess what she was thinking. Had he offended her? Probably.
Maybe he needed to explain his opinion a little better. Noah sighed and gestured to the cabinet. “First of all, that’s black walnut, and it would be a sin to cover it up with paint. Secondly, whoever crafted this piece, while talented, obviously didn’t know when to quit. There’s way too much detailing, and I think you’d come to hate it after a while. And thirdly, you should never buy something just because it’s the opposite of what Landon would have liked. He’s gone and will never see it. You, on the other hand, will have to live with it every single day.”
Noah clamped his mouth shut, realizing he’d probably been a little too blunt. Then he rushed on to say, “But if you really like it, then get it.”
Her eyes widened before she uttered a laugh—a strangled sort of laugh that didn’t sound humorous at all. “Like I’m really going to get it now. C’mon, let’s go.”
Great. He had offended her. Noah quickened his steps and reached for her arm, pulling her to a stop. “Cass, if you didn’t want my opinion, why did you ask for it?”
She glared at him. “Because I didn’t think you’d make me feel like my tastes belonged in… in… Oscar’s garbage can.”
What? “Oscar who?
“The Grouch?”
Noah blinked. What was she talking about?
“Unbelievable.” Cassie shook her head and pulled her arm free, moving toward the door.
Noah followed, catching up to her in the front of the store. “Cassie, stop. I’m sorry, okay? I honestly didn’t mean to make you feel like that. It just sounded like the only reason you like that vanity is because it’s something Landon would have hated. And that’s not a reason to like something.”
She was still glaring. “That’s only one of the reasons I like it. I also happen to think it has a lot of charm and character.”
“Then get it!” Good grief. Why were they even arguing about this?
Cassie’s chest rose and fell several times before she finally looked him in the eye and lifted her chin a notch. “You know what? I think I will.”
“Great.”
“I agree. It is great.” She stalked up to the counter and faced the girl with the long earrings. “I’m interested in the black walnut vanity in that far back corner. What’s the best price you can give me on it?”
The girl glanced over her shoulder. “You’re in luck. We’ve had that piece forever, so I can give you fifty percent off.”
“Fabulous. I’ll take it.”
Noah clenched his teeth to keep from pointing out that there was a reason the vanity had been there forever.
Once it had been paid for, Noah helped the clerk load it on a dolly and cart it out to his truck. He strapped it in with tie downs, then slid in next to a stone-faced Cassie. His key was in the ignition before he let out a breath and turned to look at her. Whatever he was about to say died on his tongue when he saw a single tear trail down her cheek. She quickly swiped it away and looked out the passenger window.
Noah suddenly felt like the world’s biggest jerk.
“Hey,” he said, reaching out to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you angry.”
She sniffed but didn’t move when he touched her shoulder. “I’m not angry. I just hate feeling like my opinion is wrong or stupid.”
“Is that what you thought I was doing? Because I didn’t mean…” Well, in a way, he sort of had. Unintentionally.
Her throat moved as she swallowed, and her gaze remained fixed on the window. “I don’t think you did it on purpose, the way Landon used to do. But it still… hurt.”
Noah turned to face her. “Cassie, what did you want me to say? You asked for my opinion, and, admittedly, I could have been a little less blunt, but I was honest. Would you rather I’d have lied and said I liked the vanity when I didn’t?”
She shook her head and sniffed again.
“Then what?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice was so quiet Noah could hardly hear her. “Do you mind taking me home now?”
Noah nodded and started the car. In silence, they drove back to her house. What had started off as such a fun and lighthearted day had twisted into something that Cassie would probably use to keep him at a distance from here on out. Noah didn’t want that. He wanted to continue to get to know the real her—the one buried beneath her pain and hiding behind all the walls. But if that’s where she preferred to remain, he couldn’t drag her out forcefully. It had to be her choice.
Her choice.
He pulled to a stop in front of her house and shut off the engine. Cassie helped him carry the vanity to her garage, where they left it in the middle of the second bay, looking even more garish next to the plain and pristine white walls of her garage.
“Thank you,” she said.
“No problem.” Noah fished his keys from his pocket and turned to leave. He hadn’t taken more than two steps when she called his name. He turned back, waiting and hoping she’d say something to take away the sick feeling in his gut.
“What you said back there—about me choosing the vanity because it’s something Landon would have hated—well, you were right. That’s probably the real reason I do like it. But is that so wrong? Is it wrong to wear pink because it was his least favorite color? Or wrong to have a taste aversion to eggs Benedict because that was his favorite breakfast?” Her wide green eyes pled with his, and Noah felt a tug on his chest.
He pulled her into a hug. At first, her body was stiff, but then she melted against him, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face into his chest.
“No, Cass. It isn’t,” he murmured, breathing in the fruity smell of her shampoo. His chin came to rest on the top of her head as he held her. She felt so good against him. So right. Unable to resist the temptation, his fingers combed through the ponytail that cascaded down her back. Her hair was soft and silky, just like her hands. She was so alluring, so beautiful, so… vulnerable.
She lifted her gaze to his, and suddenly all Noah could see was Cassie. Her warm green eyes with tiny flecks of gold, the strands of light, strawberry hair that had escaped her ponytail, the mole to the side of her right eye, the freckles that speckled her cheeks, and her lips. She was beautiful. More than anything, he wanted to kiss
her.
Would she let him?
Tentatively, Noah touched the strands of hair, brushing his fingers lightly across her high cheekbone as he tucked them behind her ear. Instead of pulling away, she pressed her fingers into his back, encouraging the closeness.
Noah dropped his forehead lightly against hers. Their breaths collided and mingled as his chest rose and fell. Cassie pushed up onto her tiptoes and let her cheek touch his. Her breath on his neck sent chills down his spine. Cautiously, his hands travelled down her arms to her fingers, and his lips brushed against her soft neck.
She shivered and leaned into him.
Behind Noah, a car pulled into the driveway, and Cassie was out of his arms before Noah had time to even think of a curse. Footsteps approached from behind, and Cassie eyed the intruder with a wary expression. “Tina. What are you doing here?”
Noah turned around and met the woman’s gaze. She had long, curly dark hair, high cheekbones, and the same green eyes as Cassie. A sister, maybe? She watched Noah with a cool distrust before her attention finally returned to Cassie. “Mom sent you a text earlier, but you never responded. So I said I’d drop by to make sure you got it. Something came up with Dillon’s work, and we have to leave tomorrow instead of Saturday, so everyone is invited over for dinner tonight if you want to come.”
“Oh, sorry.” Cassie snatched her purse off the roof of her car and rummaged through it for her phone. She quickly scanned her messages. “I didn’t hear it ring. Yes. Of course I’ll be there.”
An awkward silence followed until Tina finally said, “Well? Are you going to introduce me?”
“Oh. Yes.” Cassie slung her purse over her shoulder and gestured to Noah. “This is Noah. He’s a good friend of mine who’s helping me with my basement. And this is Tina.”
“A friend, huh.” Tina eyed him once more, her expression more speculative than curious.
“Actually, I’m her date,” Noah corrected. “Right, Cass?”
“Seriously, Noah?” Cassie said. He could hear the eye roll in her voice. A light blush reddened her cheeks, and he grinned.