"He's gonna have a seat right here at this bar, right next to Ms. Indie," Phil said.
I knew it was Noah based on Janet's reaction, so Phil's statement only solidified my hunch. I was smiling when I turned around to look at my husband.
Noah was wet. His hair must have been damp to begin with. He looked a little like he just gotten out of the shower. But the rain had only added to it. He had drops of water on the shoulders of his denim shirt, and he shook his head a little and ran a hand through his hair once he made it inside. He looked glorious—like a male model. I wanted to hop off of my stool and run over to him, throwing myself into his arms.
I settled for swiveling around with a smile and impatiently waiting for him to come to me. He walked toward me instantly, not taking his eyes from mine the whole time.
"I missed you," I said.
He grinned. "I missed you too."
"How'd it go?"
"Great."
He kissed me.
"Oh, my goodness, if y'all aren’t the cutest things ever," Janet said.
"I think he needs a haircut, if you ask me," Phil said.
"I think he's perfect," Janet said.
Noah and I looked at each other and laughed at their exchange before he leaned forward, extending his hand to the guys behind the counter.
"Hey, Collin," he said. "How's it going?"
"Doing good," Collin said as the two of them shook hands.
"Phil," Noah said, shaking Phil's hand.
"You're lucky he's got manners," Janet said to Phil.
"Aw, come on, he knows I'm just messing with him," Phil said. "It's not my fault nobody's good enough for Indie."
Janet rolled her eyes at Phil as she took off toward the back of the diner to take care of other customers. "I'm Janet, darlin'," she called to Noah. "I'll be back in a minute to shake your hand and get you something to drink."
"Sounds good, Miss Janet," Noah said.
"I'll get your drink," Phil said. "Whatcha havin'?"
Noah glanced at the bar to see what I was drinking. "I'll have coffee too," he said.
Phil nodded and took off to get it. One of the customers at the end of the bar raised their hand, and Collin took off to see what they needed.
The moment we were alone, Noah leaned over to kiss me again. I smiled and then let my lips softly touch his.
"Hi," I said, smiling.
"Hi."
"You smell good," I said.
"So do you. You taste like coffee."
I smiled but then made a little grimace. "Is that good?"
He nodded. "Let me make sure." He kissed me again. "Yeah. It's good."
"Are you two love birds gonna let me cook you something?" Phil asked, putting Noah's mug in front of him.
"Yes sir, we are," Noah said. "I'm starving."
Phil put two menus on the bar. "Just holler when you're ready," he said. He started whistling as he headed toward the kitchen.
"How'd Leo do staying with Blue?" Noah asked.
"Fine," I said. "She told him she was going to let him ride up and down the elevator tonight."
Noah laughed and took a sip of his coffee.
"Now you taste like coffee too," I said.
"Do I?"
"I don't know. Let me see."
He leaned over to kiss me again—not once, not twice, or even three times. He kissed me four times, and even then, it was as if he had to stop himself. I loved Brass Cat, and I wanted nothing more than to cancel our plans in favor of going back to our house so I could take advantage of my husband.
"I'm crazy about you," I said.
"Good," he said with an easy smile. "That makes two of us."
The End
Thanks a million for reading the Family Stone series. It was a blessing to share these stories with you, and I hope you enjoyed reading them. I had a hard time saying goodbye to this family, and there were a couple of supporting characters whose stories kept coming to me, so there will be two follow-up books set in Patterson Place Hotel. Thanks again, hugs, and many blessings! ~ Brooke
Other titles available from Brooke St. James:
Another Shot:
(A Modern-Day Ruth and Boaz Story)
When Lightning Strikes
Something of a Storm (All in Good Time #1)
Someone Someday (All in Good Time #2)
Finally My Forever (Meant for Me #1)
Finally My Heart's Desire (Meant for Me #2)
Finally My Happy Ending (Meant for Me #3)
Shot by Cupid's Arrow
Dreams of Us
Meet Me in Myrtle Beach (Hunt Family #1)
Kiss Me in Carolina (Hunt Family #2)
California's Calling (Hunt Family #3)
Back to the Beach (Hunt Family #4)
It's About Time (Hunt Family #5)
Loved Bayou (Martin Family #1)
Dear California (Martin Family #2)
My One Regret (Martin Family #3)
Broken and Beautiful (Martin Family #4)
Back to the Bayou (Martin Family #5)
Almost Christmas
JFK to Dublin (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #1)
Not Your Average Joe (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #2)
So Much for Boundaries (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #3)
Suddenly Starstruck (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #4)
Love Stung (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #5)
My American Angel (Shower & Shelter Artist Collective #6)
Summer of '65 (Bishop Family #1)
Jesse's Girl (Bishop Family #2)
Maybe Memphis (Bishop Family #3)
So Happy Together (Bishop Family #4)
My Little Gypsy (Bishop Family #5)
Malibu by Moonlight (Bishop Family #6)
The Harder They Fall (Bishop Family #7)
Come Friday (Bishop Family #8)
So This is Love (Miami Stories #1)
All In (Miami Stories #2)
Something Precious (Miami Stories #3)
The Suite Life (The Family Stone #1)
Feels Like Forever (The Family Stone #2
Treat You Better (The Family Stone Book 3) Page 16