After so many outfit changes, Andi wondered how the bride would have enough energy left to consummate the marriage.
Not her problem. All Andi had to worry about were her designs. Not easy since Mila had turned out to be as difficult as her reputation claimed—a diva with a capital D. Yet, for all her demands, the woman was surprisingly likable. Right now, she and Mila were constantly at odds. When all the wedding drama was over, she had a feeling they would be friends.
Checking both ways, Andi jogged across the street, her heels clicking on the pavement. She scooted between two parked cars, careful not the let her off-white pants brush against the dusty bumpers. As she reached for the bakery door, her hand bumped a fellow customer with the same idea.
"Excuse me," she said.
"My fault."
The familiar voice made her head turn and her vision focus. Oh, she knew the face. She'd seen him often enough in her dreams.
"Noah?"
"Anderson."
Dark glasses shaded Noah's expressive blue eyes. Was he happy to see her? Or did he wish her anyplace but here? Possibly, he didn't care where she was or what she did. The thought left a bitter taste in Andi's mouth.
"What are you doing here?" Unsure of his feelings, she jumped on the offensive. To her regret, her question came off a tad bitchy.
"Same as you, I imagine." Noah held the door for a lady with a baby in one arm and a box of danish in the other. "In or out, Anderson. I don't have all day."
Talk about bitchy. Noah's harsh remark removed all of Andi's guilt. Back on even ground, she squared her shoulders and entered the bakery.
"My office is across the street."
So there, Andi wanted to crow. She had a perfectly logical reason to be there. In fact, because she had a lease and paid her rent promptly on the first of each month, technically, they were on her turf. He was the interloper.
"You don't say." With an unconcerned shrug, Noah removed his sunglasses. "I have a rehab job around the corner. Promised my crew I'd spring for a couple dozen cupcakes if they finished the drywall today."
Specks of white dotted Noah's dark t-shirt, proof of his claim. Not that she doubted him. As far as she knew, he'd never lied to her. Why start now?
"Do you mean the old bank with all the wrought iron out front?"
Noah nodded, the twitch of his lips the first sign of emotion he'd shown.
"By next month you'll have a new Italian café to try on your lunch break."
Andi placed her order and waited while the woman behind the counter served Noah.
"Be a few minutes. Cupcakes need frosting."
"No problem."
"I—" Andi wanted to wait with him. But he didn't ask, and her order popped up before she could offer. "Well. Nice seeing you, Noah."
"Take care, Anderson." Noah nodded and turned away.
The pain his words caused wasn't logical. But when had anything between them made sense? From the instant attraction to the crazy-good sex, to the feelings neither of them seemed to understand or accept. Noah didn't want anything else to do with her? Fine. She could live with his choice. What else could she do?
Andi didn't notice the pair of blue eyes that followed her across the bakery and out the door. She didn't see Noah move to the window so he wouldn't miss a second as her long legs carried her across the street and into the brick-faced office building.
She deliberately didn't look back so, she missed the longing in his gaze. Luckily, fate wasn't through with the young lovers yet.
~~~~
THE HOUSE WAS quiet as Andi let herself in. Blissful, wonderful silence. Her office had turned into chaos as the date of Mila Shore's wedding approached. Though still two months away, the need for urgency put everyone on edge.
If one more sewing machine broke down or a clumsy seamstress turned an iron on so high the excessive heat singed a piece of fragile satin, Andi swore she would fire the lot of them.
"You look tired."
"Thank you." Andi watched with envy as Destry slid down the last six feet of banister. Though just over three years difference in their ages, today, the number felt more like a hundred. "Nice I can always count on you to raise my flagging spirits."
"Flagging spirits? Andi Benedict?" Destry's dark eyes widened with exaggerated horror. "My sister, who makes the Energizer Bunny look like a piker has run out of steam? Impossible."
Andi smiled in spite of herself. Maybe Destry's jesting jab wasn't so bad after all. She felt a little better. Tossing an arm around her youngest sister's shoulders, the two headed toward the stairs. Looking up, Andi sighed.
"Is the elevator working?"
"Oh, no you don't." Destry slapped Andi's backside with more force than necessary. "The elevator is for the servants and our slug of a mother. The only way we take that contraption is if we're dead."
"I feel close."
"Pshaw."
Destry pushed Andi up the first few stairs.
"Excuse me?"
"Pshaw. To show irritation, disapproval, or contempt."
"I know the meaning." Andi chuckled. "Since when is the word part of your everyday vocabulary?"
"We've known each other over twenty years. Nice to know I can still pull a surprise or two out of my hat. I'd hate to become predictable."
"Sweetie, you are the least predictable person put on God's green earth. Now and then, I wish you'd try for run of the mill. Just for a change."
"Maybe for your birthday. If I can figure out how run of the mill works." Destry gave another push. "Ta-da. You are on your floor."
"Now I have to get to my bedroom." Andi's door was at the end of the hall. She put on her most pathetic face. "Carry me?"
"You crack me up." Destry gave her hand a tug. "Tell you what. If you can drag yourself a few extra yards, I'll draw you a bath."
"With bubbles?"
"And a rubber ducky."
They joked, but ten minutes later as Andi lay chin deep in steaming water and orange blossom scented bubbles, she felt for the first time since she rolled out of bed at the crack of dawn that she might survive to fight another day.
"Here you go."
Destry dropped something in the water.
"I said a rubber ducky." Andi examined the object from every angle. "What is it?"
"Could be a frog." Destry sat on the edge of the tub. "Or a puppy? Who knows? I can't even remember why I have it. The thing is rubber and floats. So, close enough."
"You're too good to me." Andi closed her eyes. One by one, her troubles floated away.
"Don't go to sleep. Besides the danger, I have something for you."
"How can you top a maybe frog/puppy?"
"With champagne."
Andi almost wept. Cold, sparkly, with just enough kick to refresh, then dull, her spirits.
"Bless you." She clinked her glass with Destry's. The expensive wine was meant for sipping. Just once, Andi took more of a glug and sighed.
"Did you see Noah today?"
"Nope. I didn't stick my head out of the office until I left for home."
"How many times have you run into him since your trip to Paris?"
Andi's eyes were closed, but she could hear the smirk in Destry's voice.
"Seven."
"In two months. Seems like more than a coincidence."
"Destry." Andi lifted one eyelid. "You promised—"
"Don't worry. Calder, Bryce, and I swore off matchmaking."
Since she knew her sister had no reason to lie, Andi relaxed.
"Coincidences happen," Andi told herself. "Besides, Noah has a job near my office."
"What about the park?"
Andi ran every morning. Central Park was convenient, and pathways were plentiful enough she could mix up her route on a regular basis. She rarely saw anyone she knew except other runners who would nod and keep on their way.
Imagine her surprise when yesterday morning bright and early, who did sh
e see coming toward her at a brisk clip? None other than Noah. To his credit, he looked as startled as she felt. He kept running, as did she.
"Did you look over your shoulder at his fine ass?"
"No." Though the thought crossed her mind. "I didn't want Noah to see me staring."
"What if he stared first at your fine ass? The two of you might stop your ridiculous stalemate and actually talk."
"Noah has my number. He has your number. And Calder's and Bryce's. Not to mention Mrs. Finch. If he wants to talk, all he has to do is scroll through his contacts. One of us is bound to answer."
"Nothing stopping you from contacting him. Except for pride. Which, in case you didn't hear, goeth before the fall."
"Kind of sacrilegious when you quote the Bible to get me to make a booty call."
"I didn't say anything about a booty call." Destry filled her glass. "However, the Bible is full of sex which means I am not sacrilegious."
Determined to stop all talk about Noah, Andi disappeared under the water. She waited as long as possible, but she wasn't a fish and eventually needed to come up for air.
"I'll make you a deal," Destry said as if no break in the conversation occurred. "If you run into Noah three more times in the next month, you have to call and ask him to dinner."
Andi wiped a mass of hair and bubbles from her eyes. Destry's deal seemed one sided.
"What if I don't see him three times?"
"End of the Noah discussion."
"You'll never mention him again?"
"Only if you ask." Destry crossed her heart.
If the cosmos threw her and Noah together three more times in thirty days, Andi would give in. Since she didn't believe the cosmos cared, she figured she was safe.
"Okay."
"Really? I thought I'd need to pour a couple more glasses of champagne down you before you'd agree."
"One will have to be my limit. Hand me a towel."
"Why only one glass?" Destry watched as Andi wrapped her hair in the fluffy cotton.
Andi slipped into her robe.
"My father called. He practically begged me to meet him for a drink."
"You're dead on your feet, Andi. Blow him off. He's done the same to you often enough."
"I would, but the tone of his voice worried me. He sounded almost desperate."
"Big news." Destry rolled her eyes. "Our parents are all about the drama."
"Compared to the Hollywood antics of my latest client, whatever Dad has to throw at me will be an easy catch." Andi hoped. "One drink won't be the end of me. Besides, if Sterling had a major announcement, he'd at least spring for dinner."
"I'll leave you to get ready." Frowning, Destry grabbed the half-full bottle of wine. "One thing before I go. You're tired which lowers the effectiveness of your normally strong daddy bullshit radar. My advice. If Sterling wants something, even a seemingly innocuous request, don't give him an answer tonight. Promise you'll sleep on it first."
Andi understood why Destry was concerned. If the situation were reversed, she'd ask the same.
"Don't worry." She hugged her sister close. "I'll sip a drink I really don't want, listen to my father's latest sob story, and be home by seven o'clock."
"Meet me for dinner in the kitchen?" Destry asked on her way out the bedroom door.
"Yes, please. Followed by a blissfully early bedtime."
Andi rolled her shoulders as she walked into her closet. She represented her fashion brand every time she stepped out the front door. Even for a quick drink, her appearance was important; the people who saw her were potential customers.
Tonight, in deference to her lagging energy, she went for simple, yet chic. She wound her hair into a loose bun at the base of her neck. Her minimal makeup consisted of a touch of concealer under her eyes, a dab of mascara, a little blush, and a touch of lipstick.
Andi slipped on a knee-length sheath the color of ripe peaches, added gold stud earrings, and a pair of bright-coral strappy sandals. A quick once over in the mirror and she was ready to go.
With a wistful look at her bed, Andi grabbed her purse and prayed all her father wanted was to spend a little time with his daughter. She let out a cynical laugh. Right. And on the way home, she'd keep an eye out for those ever-elusive flying pigs.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
~~~~
ANDI ORDERED CLUB soda with a twist of lemon, heavy on the ice. Even early in the evening in the middle of the week, every table in the dimly lit room was full. Her father would turn his nose up at the idea of sitting at the bar on one of the leather-covered stools, but Sterling chose the place for them to meet. If he wanted a table, he should have arrived early.
Instead, Andi had to wait. She looked at her phone. Her father was only five minutes late. But her patience was at a premium. If he didn't arrive by quarter after, she was out of here.
To pass the time, Andi made a mental list of what was on her agenda for tomorrow. She was halfway through the morning when a voice interrupted her train of thought.
"Hello, Andi."
Ingo Hunter, his smile oily as she remembered, slid onto the stool to her right.
"Mr. Hunter. I don't mean to be rude, but the seat you took is for my father. He should be here any second."
"No, he won't." Hunter ordered bourbon, neat. "I have a confession. Your father and I are guilty of a little subterfuge."
"He isn't coming?"
"At my request, Sterling agreed to play matchmaker. I hope you don't mind."
Andi didn't know who made her angrier. Her father for his outright lie, or Ingo Hunter and his enormous ego. Since her father wasn't here, she laid her wrath on Hunter.
"Actually, I do mind."
"I can see you're a bit peeved." Hunter placed a hand over hers. "Let's finish our drinks. Then, we'll go to my place for dinner. We can talk, get to know each other. You'll find I have a lot to offer."
Tugging her hand free, Andi took a deep breath, willing her clenched jaw to relax.
"Tell me, Mr. Hunter—"
"Please, call me Ingo."
"I'd rather not," she ground out. "Are you so hard up you have to trick a woman to get her to spend time with you?"
Hunter seemed genuinely surprised by her question.
"Tricked? I think you exaggerate." As his voice dropped to an intimate level, his dark eyes turned almost onyx. Devil black, Andi decided with a shudder. "You should be flattered. I wouldn't go to so much trouble if I didn't believe you to be an exceptional young woman."
"I'm not flattered."
Hunter leaned closer, the scent of his cologne enveloping Andi in a fog of musk.
"Don't play coy."
"Are you deaf? I'm not interested. Hey." Andi jumped to her feet the second Hunter's cool fingers came in contact with her knee. "Touch me again without my permission, and you'll pull back a bloody stump. Understand?"
"Look at you," Hunter breathed. "All cool and collected one second, fiery the next. I'll bet you're a wild thing in bed."
Ingo Hunter thought he was something special. Andi knew he was no different than other men who thought their money made them irresistible. She'd dealt with his kind her entire life, and he neither interested her nor intimidated her. Already tired, Ingo Hunter and his entitled attitude made her weary to the bone.
"Enjoy your drink, Mr. Hunter. And do not ever pull a stunt like this again."
"No one walks out on me." Hunter grabbed Andi's arm. "Sit down. Now."
Andi contemplated her next move. She didn't care about the people around her. If she had to create a scene, she would do so without a second thought. Thanks to Destry's expert tutelage, she could put Hunter on his ass in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, the room was so crowded, collateral damage was a possibility. She didn't want an innocent bystander to pay the price for Ingo Hunter's crime.
"Anything I can do to help?"
Andi almost laughed with relief when she recognized Noah's voice. Whet
her fate, or the cosmos, or simple dumb luck brought him to her rescue, she didn't know or care. He provided a very welcome solution to her very sticky problem.
With a smile, she slipped her hand through the crook of Noah's arm.
"You can escort me out of here."
"I warn you, Andi—" Hunter started to rise.
"What you need to do is take your hand off the lady. Now."
Noah didn't raise his voice, but the menacing threat in his tone and his steely gaze were impossible to miss. Or, in Hunter's case, ignore. Obviously incensed, he stayed in his seat—and removed his hand.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Other than a piece of low-life scum?" Noah shrugged. "Not a clue. Nor could I care less." He turned to Andi. "Ready to go?"
Andi nodded. She should have known Hunter, and his massive ego would need to have the last word. He made certain his voice carried across the room.
"Skinny bitch wasn't my type anyway."
Noah froze, the muscles in his arm like steel under her hand. Andi understood his desire to knock Hunter's teeth down his throat. Part of her would pay to watch the show. But the price would be too dear. The last thing she wanted was to see Noah led away in handcuffs.
"Please, Noah. Don't let him bait you."
A series of emotions played across Noah's face. Anger, resignation, and finally, as he let out a slow breath of air, calm. Patting her hand, he led her from the bar.
"Your taste in men sucks."
"Believe me," Andi grimaced. "Ingo Hunter is not to my taste. I was supposed to meet my father. Hunter showed up in his place."
"Then your father's taste in men sucks."
Andi thought of all the men who had traveled in and out of her father's life and sighed.
"You have no idea." She noticed how Noah was dressed. "You have on a suit and tie."
"Surprised?" He raised a hand to hail a cab. "I prefer jeans, but when necessary, I clean up pretty good."
Better than good. Noah looked fantastic. The light-gray, pinstriped material was exactly what Andi would have chosen to complement his coloring. The suit, neither expensive nor cheap, fit him well. Still sexy, he looked like a polished version of himself.
Three Wishes: A Second Chance at Love Contemporary Romance (The Sisters Quartet Book 3) Page 13