Page 17 of Noah

"The upholstery. The carpet. The fact we're barely breaking even."

"But you are breaking even." I took a chance and held his gaze. His beautiful blue eyes dove into mine, chasing something I hadn't known was there before. I felt the warmth in my gut.

"Yes, but not enough to do any renovations."

I drank in his frustration, really tried to feel it for myself. I'd never seen this look on his face before. He honestly thought his pub wasn't good enough.

"Are you making enough to live on? I asked.

"Yes."

"Do you pay your employees a living wage?"

"Yes."

"Are your employees happy at work?"

"I think so."

"Do your customers enjoy coming here?"

Noah shifted from one foot to the other. "We have the ratings to prove it."

"Then I'm not sure what the problem is."

Noah didn't speak. Just swallowed. Then turned away from me and strode to the other side of the bar where Liam was working. He didn't come back until I had almost finished my wings.

His face before walking away had registered as angry.

Now it was soft. Remorseful.

"I'm sorry," he said to me. "You're telling me the same thing my friends always tell me. I shouldn't have gotten upset with you."

"It wasn't my place to say anything. We barely know each other."

"No … no. I needed to hear it from someone not so close to the situation."

"Can I say one more thing then?"

"Sure. Shoot."

"What you have created here, it's a safe and comfortable place for the community to gather. That's no small feat. You should know, I'm in awe of what you've achieved."

Noah licked his incredible pouty lips. "Thank you, Brody. I needed to hear that."

I left cash on the bar top and slipped off my seat. "See you tomorrow night."

Noah smiled at me. "I'll be waiting."

I studied his face before turning to go. I wanted to memorize the way he was looking at me. We'd made a significant connection tonight. His smile wide. The disappearance of some of the blue in his eyes, replaced by dark dilated pupils. Those were both signs of attraction.

I wondered if my body had given off similar signals. I'd certainly felt them inside. Driving home, I picked apart how I'd reacted and chastised myself for not smiling back at him again.

I'd need to work on that with him.

I rubbed my left pec. I'd never longed for someone before. Just to be near him. To see his smile. To look into his eyes. I wanted to gather Noah up and hold him in my arms. Sex had been at the forefront of my mind when I thought about him before. Now it was making its way to the backseat. I wanted to know everything about him. I was excited to unearth more about Noah.

After I took Bentley out and feed everyone, I hung my clothes in my closet, put on some boxers and a t-shirt, and slipped into bed. Two of my cats eventually found their way onto my pillow. One at my belly. One by my feet. Bentley slept on a super plush dog bed beside my bed.

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