by Ann Cory
Sophie flipped her long brown hair over her shoulders and straightened up in the seat. She was here now, in New York, and she’d have to make the best of it for at least one night.
A blur of lights, billboards, and crowds met her gaze out the window. The people moved fast, their arms and faces animated while they talked. They looked happy and untroubled, so very far from her current frame of mind. Her plans had changed and she needed to figure a few things out, starting with where to sleep tonight.
“Excuse me, miss, I hope you don’t take this in the wrong way, but I planned to swing by my good buddy Tate’s restaurant for a bite, and—”
“I’m so sorry,” she broke in, shaking her head. Where were her manners? The guy didn’t need to be stuck driving her sorry ass around all night. “Of course, you have plans. Who doesn’t have plans on New Year’s Eve? Please, drop me off anywhere you’d like. I’ll be fine.”
He came to a stoplight and turned to face her. “Hold on, you didn’t let me finish. I thought maybe you could join me for dinner. Because unless they served homemade soutzoukakia and baklava on the airplane, I don’t think you can say you’ve had a sufficient meal.”
The sound of her favorite Greek dishes made her mouth water. She hadn’t eaten anything on the plane because her gut had belly-flopped all morning in lieu of this trip…fiasco…disaster. The dinner offer sounded great. Eating alone didn’t.
“I hope you aren’t asking me out of pity,” she warned.
His brows furrowed. “Why would I do that?”
A car honked behind them and he turned back around.
“You saw,” she countered. “You witnessed the sleaze cheating on me.”
“And?”
There was a heavy pause and Sophie released a whoosh of breath. “And I’d like to join you, but not if you feel sorry for me.”
“No, not at all. Far from it,” he replied, his voice sincere as far as she could tell.
“Good. Then dinner would be perfect.”And maybe for a few minutes she could pretend everything was normal.
“The restaurant is about another six or seven blocks up the street,” he explained pointing forward. “We’ll grab some grub and go from there. I’m Noah, by the way. Noah Conley.”
“Sophie Kurtz. And, thank you.”
“For?”
“For not making me feel like a total reject. I mean I could probably have snakes coming out of my head like Medusa and you’d still be decent.”
“Well, I’d charge each snake as a passenger, but otherwise yeah, I’d like to think I’m a decent guy.”
She chuckled. “Thanks.”
His gaze met hers and he smiled, tiny lines bracketing his eyes. “Don’t worry about it.”
Not worry? That wouldn’t be easy. She lacked a place to sleep and a place to live. And she hadn’t finished the speech for the presentation she was expected to give at noon the next day in front of her new employers for a position that opened up.
No, she wouldn’t worry. She’d freak out instead.
Chapter Two
Noah eased along with the steady flow of traffic, catching glimpses of the brunette beauty in the backseat. She’d entered the cab with a spark in her smoky brown eyes and in one brief moment he watched that spark get snuffed out. He admired the way she handled herself considering what she’d just witnessed. He also knew her confidence betrayed the real battle of emotions going on inside her. He’d been there, done that a few times in his life. Noah wanted to help turn her night around but didn’t know how to go about it.
If anyone could help, it was his friend Tate. The guy was a relationship guru. He could steer him in the right direction. Sophie needed to be shown a good time, not be thrust out into the city alone for the next asshole to break her heart.
From the mirror he watched her lips tremble and then press tight. He wondered how long until the brave front gave way to tears.
At the next block he turned and smiled at the familiar sign of The Greek House. Tate’s family was of Greek descent and well known for serving delicious feasts.
“We’re here,” he announced and pulled into the first open parking spot.
He got out and walked around the car just as she was getting out. It took great restraint to halt the long, appreciative whistle he almost let loose when the first part of her out was her long, shapely legs. The sleek black nylons and pumps had him ready to gnaw on his knuckles. He liked the way her skirt hit just above the knees, but teased with a small slit in the back. The rest of her body was sheathed in a coat tied tight with a belt at the waist. She shoved her hands into her pockets and headed for the door, with him admiring her from behind.
At the door he hustled ahead and opened it for her. The aromas that hit as they walked in had them both groaning in appreciation.
Noah walked about halfway into the restaurant and gestured toward an open booth. It offered privacy so they could talk alone. He wanted to know more about this girl from Oregon.
“This looks like a good spot to sit,” he said. “I’ll be right back, I just need to scare up my friend and find out tonight’s house special.”
She nodded and slid into the booth, a weary look on her face. It was clear she was trying to keep it together.
He hurried to the back and found Tate slicing roma tomatoes with ease.
“Hey man, got a few minutes for an old friend?”
“Sure,” the tall husky man answered with a smirk. “Where is he?”
Always the funny man. “You’re a riot.”
Tate scooped up the chopped tomatoes with the blunt side of the blade and threw them on top a bowl of greens. “I didn’t expect to see you until later.”
He watched his friend sprinkle feta cheese over the top and he patted his stomach. “You know I can’t stay away from this place.”
“Fix yourself up a plate, all the specials are steaming away on the stove.”
The rows of pots and pans filled with Greek temptations beckoned to him, but his mind was on another kind of temptation. “I would, except…” He wasn’t sure how to explain his situation.
His friend grabbed a bottle of olive oil and added a few drops onto the salad. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You’re here for something other than the food, I can tell.” Tate wiped his hands on a towel and gave him his full attention. “Now spill.”
“Fine. I need your advice. I picked up this woman today and—”
“You sly dog.”
Noah ignored the exaggerated grin across his friend’s face.
“It’s my job, idiot.”
“Too bad. I was hoping you finally scored.”
He narrowed his eyes and continued. “Anyway, I invited her here with me.”
“Excellent. Dinner for two. My treat. I insist.”
Noah liked the sound of that. “Thanks, but that’s not why I’m here. I need to cheer her up without looking like I’m trying too hard.”
Tate folded his arms. “Why does she need cheering up?”
“She’s had a bad night and she’s kind of depressed.”
His friend’s grin lessened. “Great, you pick up a depressed woman on one of the biggest party nights ever. Well done.”
“She didn’t start out that way,” he said in her defense. “Things took an unexpected turn.”
“Okay, I’ll bite. What happened?”
Noah didn’t want to go into details, but sensed his friend’s impatience. “I went to drop her off at her fiancé’s place, and the jerk was outside with some other woman.”
“And?”
“With his tongue down her throat and his hand up her blouse. For everyone to see,” he finished.
“That’s cold, but how did it become your problem?”
“Sophie, that’s her name, just flew in, from Oregon no less, and doesn’t have anywhere to go tonight. She was supposed to move in with the moron. I know the hotels are all booked, and I don’t think a half star cheap motel will
be the way to go.”
His friend shook his head. “Ah hell, I know where this is going. You like her, right?”
He paused a moment. “Ask me again later.” Noah didn’t want to jinx anything.
Tate busied himself with stirring what looked like lamb stew. “Do you even know anything about this woman?”
“I know she’s hurting right now.”
“Yeah, you like her,” his friend said and smirked. “So what do you need from me?”
“Advice. I thought I’d ask if she’d like to crash at my place, but how do I do that without sounding like a creep?”
“Just ask her. Let her know she won’t find anywhere else to stay. Your place is plenty big and come on, you don’t look anything like a creep.”
Noah couldn’t help but chuckle. “How exactly does a creep look?”
“Shifty-eyed and dressed in a long trench coat of course,” Tate responded.
“Ah. Trench coat. I’ll have to get me one of those.” He glanced down at his tan Dockers and long-sleeved navy Henley. “So, I should throw the offer out there all casual like?”
“Yeah, why not. If she straight out says no, don’t keep pressing her about it. Then she’ll think you have ulterior motives.”
“Gotcha.”
Tate flashed him a look of skepticism. “Do you have ulterior motives?”
“Man, she just caught her fiancé with another woman. I’m not looking to get my hand up her skirt.” Not that he’d turn her down if she wanted him to make a move. To pretend he wasn’t attracted to her would be pointless.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” his friend coaxed. “It’s New Year’s Eve. Things get wild.”
“Either way, I won’t be able to enjoy myself if I know she’s out wandering around without a place to go,” he explained.
Tate nodded. “I hear you.”
“I don’t want to scare her off, either.”
“You’ll be fine. Just don’t mention the jerk, whatever you do. That’s grounds for a slap in the face.”
Noah put his hands up and shook his head. “Wouldn’t dare. It’s just that I haven’t dated for awhile, as you know, and I suck at idle chitchat. I only know how to talk to people in a cab. It’s my comfort zone. My home turf. Out of my element I’m lost.”
“She’s probably feeling lost too,” Tate said. “My advice is to shoot the breeze, make her laugh, be yourself and don’t be the big hero.”
He cocked a brow. “What’s wrong with being a hero?”
“It will backfire, and the one who’ll be hurt is you. Trust me. Being too nice is in the same league as being a jerk. Neither is a good option. Okay?”
“Okay. I better get back before she thinks I’ve ditched her.” He started to leave and then paused. “Could you send out two plates of the special?”
“You got it. Have fun tonight.”
“You too. See you in the new year.”
Noah hurried back to the table and slid into the seat across from Sophie. He couldn’t help but notice her toying with her ring and hoped she wasn’t considering going back to the cheating jerk. “Sorry, my friend was busy cooking back there,” he said thrusting his thumb over his shoulder, “so it took longer than I’d planned.”
“That’s okay.”
He couldn’t mistake the deflated tone in her voice. She looked around at the decorations lining the walls and then folded her hands on the table. “Everything smells incredible.”
Noah inhaled and heard his stomach grumble.
“We’ve got the house special coming right up. I guarantee you’ll love it.”
“I can hardly wait. I haven’t eaten authentic Greek food in ages.”
“Are you a fan of Greek food?”
“A fan is putting it mildly,” she replied, her eyes starting to twinkle. “I love anything Greek.”
“Ah, so that was the reason for your Medusa reference.”
Her forehead creased. “Pardon?”
“You made a comment earlier about if you had snakes on your head like Medusa…forget it.” He sounded like a dork. The idle chitchat wasn’t working.
“You’re right, I did say that.” She smiled at him and brushed her hand against his as she reached for her water. “It’s cool you remembered. I’m not used to someone listening to me.”
He found that hard to believe. Especially with her seductive honey-sweet voice. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Nope. I mean, Kyle never…” She stopped in mid-sentence and took a big gulp of water. Her hands noticeably shook as she put the glass down. “Sorry. I meant that it’s refreshing to be heard.”
Noah could tell she was nervous and looked much too warm in her coat. He stood and reached out his hand. “Here, let me take that and I’ll hang it up for you.”
She shimmied out of her coat and held it out. The blouse she had on was crisp white and fit her curves in a torturous way. When she leaned forward he could almost see down her blouse, but he refused to look. Unless he knew he wouldn’t get caught.
There was a simple but elegant look to her that appealed to him. The only jewelry she wore, other than the hard-to-miss rock on her finger, was a gold horseshoe necklace. Understated yet classy. Somehow he was going to have to make sure he didn’t stare at her all night like a pervert.
He went to hang up her coat on the hook across from their table when Tate came out in his sauce stained apron.
“By the way,” his friend started. “Whoever this hot mess is, better not be playing you. I know you can be a major pushover. So watch your back.”
Noah closed his eyes and pressed his lips together tight. There was no way Sophie didn’t overhear.
He opened his eyes and gave Tate a hard look. “Thanks man, you seriously owe me.”
Face red, his friend leaned back and looked past him. “Shit, is that her?”
Jaw clenched, he gave a single nod.
“Aw fuck. I’m sorry, man.” Tate mumbled and hustled back into the kitchen, his apron strings swaying.
By the time Noah turned to apologize for his friend’s untimely comment, Sophie was beside him reaching for her coat.
“Excuse me, I’ll need that back.”
She pulled the coat from his hands and thrust it over her arm.
“Wait, let me explain.” Noah’s brow beaded with sweat.
“Hot mess? Is that what you called me when you were in there talking with him?” Her whole body shook. “I promise I won’t waste anymore of your time. Jerk.”
She turned, her hair fanning out behind her as she headed for the door.
“Wait, no,” he called out and hurried after her. “I didn’t say that, I swear.”
“Whatever.” Sophie stopped at the door and gave him a look laced with daggers. “I’ll need my stuff from out of your cab.”
“Listen, Tate talks out of his ass a lot, but I swear he’s a great friend. I never said you were a hot mess, that’s not even the way I talk. He thought he was being cute or something.”
She pointed outside to his cab. “My stuff. Now.”
Here he’d gone to Tate for advice on how to make the night go smoothly, and it was Tate who created the conflict between them. He could’ve done better on his own.
Noah knew he had to find a way to undo the damage.
“Look, the food is on its way and I promise it will be the best Greek food you’ve eaten in your life. Besides, where are you going to go?”
“I’m not trapped, if that’s what you think,” she snapped. “I have money and am capable of paying for a night anywhere.”
“That’s great,” he said softly, hoping to calm her down, “and any other night I’d say go for it. But tonight everything’s booked solid.”
She looked outside and then at her coat. “Shit, I don’t know why I keep forgetting that it’s New Year’s Eve.”
“You’ve got other things on your mind, it makes sense to me.” Noah reached out and brushed her hair from her face. “I apologize for my friend. Hon
est, I know that right now he’s sorry you overheard and cutting the crap out of a dozen tomatoes. He didn’t know you were sitting there or he’d have been a perfect gentleman. I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
She locked her gaze with his. “Well, I’m sorry I called you a jerk. You seem nice and I appreciate you asking me here, but I’m in a weird headspace right now. I don’t think company is going to help.”
“It might, if you give it a try,” he coaxed with a smile.
“I don’t want to ruin your night.” She angled herself in front of the door. “It’s better I go.”
Noah didn’t want to push his luck, but he was going to give it one more shot.
“No, it’s not better. I’d love for you to sit down and enjoy a nice dinner with me. And after, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
She stared at him, biting her lip in a way that made him want to lean in and kiss her.
“What is it with you?”
“I’m charming?” He followed the pompous comment with an extra cheesy grin.
She smiled. “Okay, I’ll have dinner with you.”
“Excellent.”
Noah took her coat and they walked back to their table. That had been too close of a call for him. He hoped the rest of the night went better.
*****
Sophie got comfortable in the booth and flattened the napkin against her lap. She believed Noah that he didn’t call her a hot mess. Her reaction had more to do with being tired and jet-lagged than some random comment made from a guy who didn’t know her. Oh, and then there was the Kyle thing, but she didn’t want to deal with that right now. Besides, it didn’t make sense to be rude to the one man who was being nice to her. Maybe she could salvage the night from here on out.
Noah caught her gaze and smiled. She was glad to be seated considering the way her body quaked in his stare.
“So what were we talking about before I threw a tantrum,” she asked, trying to make up for her irrational behavior.
His husky chuckle made him all the more attractive. “Your interest in Greek culture.”
“Right. Wow, you really do listen.”