Page 50 of Noah

Now, I'm not sure what came over me, but I blurted out, "My partner."

"As in a serious partner?"

"Of course we're serious. I'm in love with him." Then insanity poked its head up. "We've been living together for months. We're talking about getting married."

I instantly wished I could retract everything I just said.

"Why haven't we met this young man?" My mother's voice sounded brighter. No doubt she'd be telling everyone at the country club that her last remaining single child had seen the light.

"I haven't wanted to subject him to you yet."

"Noah, please." She paused. "What does he do for a living?"

Okay, I hadn't thought that far ahead. I was going to have to bring someone to my parents' gala. Maybe I could hire an escort. Or maybe—

"He's a crown attorney."

Again. Wished I could retract it. What were the chances I could find an escort with a criminal law degree? Not impossible. But not probable either. My parents would want to talk shop. There was only one person I knew who could play the role of my criminal lawyer partner.

Jeezus you're an idiot.

Brody would never go for this. Nor would I ask him to.

"When is the gala? My partner might be working." That was the answer. Tell my parents he couldn't make it. Then conveniently split up with said partner before my parents suspected anything was amiss. Such as the fact I was a goddamned liar.

"Oh, that would be a shame. It's next weekend. Saturday night at the Pacific Grande ballroom. Be there by seven. No later. We want to have the family together to welcome everyone."

"Wouldn't want to miss that. I'll drop my tux at the dry cleaners."

"I'm glad you're taking the idea of starting your own family seriously."

"I never said we wanted children."

She sighed. "I don't understand why you always have to be so contrary."

"Because it's my life. I'll come to your gala but please stop trying to interfere."

"We only want what's best for you."

She had no idea what that was. I barely knew what the hell that was. I did know that with each passing day, I felt like the best could only be achieved with Brody at my side.

"Goodbye, mother."

She hung up without saying anything else. I'm not sure my mother ever told me she loved me. That's what people did though, right? When they parted ways. Exchanged words of love.

My friends and I certainly used the word a lot. I wondered if someday I'd tell Brody I loved him. And whether he'd say it back. My heart was either going to soar or be crushed. Already, my heart pounded out of control for him. Yearned for him. I was getting ahead of myself.

I rolled over and stared at the ceiling. My mother had made me panic. She always made me panic. I decided it would make for a good story. The day I had told my mother I was in love with, living with and talking about marrying a man who was essentially Brody.

Later, when I was at the pub waiting for Brody to arrive for his G&T and buffalo wings, my guilt started churning up my gut. I had told Brody I was trustworthy and now I'd lied to my mother.

I was going to come clean with him. I didn't want any secrets between us. And this was a big one. I wasn't sure how Brody was going to react. Maybe he'd walk away from me. I'd rather lose him than be plagued with the reality I was being dishonest with him.

Brody smiled at me as he approached the bar. I had a hard time reciprocating and he noticed. Worry flashed across his face, ever so briefly.

"What's wrong?" Brody asked as he took a seat.

"I've done something really stupid." I leaned on the bar top.

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