Page 42 of When Love And Destiny Collide

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As I park in the driveway, the front door swings open, and Noah comes down the steps to greet us. The broad smile on his face makes my heart sing. He’s so handsome, so ruggedly good-looking, that I can’t help but catch my breath at the sight of him.

Davey is fast asleep in the back seat—the little language enthusiast who didn't miss his chance to impress my dad with his multilingual talents.

"Is he asleep?" Noah asks, approaching us. I nod and smile. The closer he gets, the more my heart flutters in my chest. His nearness awakens a warmth in me and fills me with expectation because I know that every moment we share will be something beautiful and profound.

"I missed you today," he says, wrapping his arms around me.

"Noah?" I whisper, looking into his mesmerizing eyes.

"Hmm?" he smiles, pulling me closer.

"Do I make you as happy as you make me?" I ask breathlessly.

"Can I show you how happy you make me?" he asks, his voice rich with promise and longing.

"Show me," I say, cupping his face with my hands.

I taste lemonade on his lips—sweet and cool, as they tease and explore mine with so much tenderness that it could be my undoing. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer, silently urging him to deepen the kiss. I want to get lost in this moment that feels like it should never end. After a few precious seconds, he pulls away and clears his throat, smiling and holding my gaze.

"I better take Davey up to his room," he says.

"Yeah," I reply softly. "He’s had a long day."

In the kitchen, I find an untouched ham sandwich and an almost empty glass of lemonade sitting on the counter, evidence of a snack made in a hurry.

"You're still here." Noah's deep, husky voice wraps around me like a sweet, captivating melody, pulling me in with its irresistible allure.

Chapter 11

Noah

"I thought you’d have gone home by now," I say, unable to look away as her beautiful blue eyes meet mine, a warmth sparking in her gaze. I watch her add freshly sliced tomatoes, ripe avocado, crisp lettuce, and a thin spread of mustard to my sandwich.

"Here, try it now," she says, lifting the now mouthwatering sandwich toward me.

I take it from her and take a bite, savoring the burst of flavors that were missing before.

How could I have been married for fifteen years and never once felt the impact of something so small and seemingly insignificant yet so profoundly meaningful? Lily’s simple gesture touches me in a way I never knew I needed, opening my eyes to the beauty inside her heart.

I devour the whole thing in a few bites, each one a delightful explosion of flavors, as Lily watches me with rapt amusement.

I finish the last of my lemonade and smile, letting my gratitude shine through before speaking. "Thank you. It was sweet of you to turn my boring sandwich into something special."

"You're welcome," she says with a gentle smile. "I know it's late, but I wanted to ask about your trip. Did everything go smoothly with your publisher?"

Something else I’m not used to—someone genuinely asking about my day. "It went well," I say, appreciating her interest. "Once the publisher gives the manuscript a once-over, it’ll go to the editor. If any changes are needed, it'll come back to me. The release date isn’t set yet, but we’re getting closer."

"That's great," she says, her excitement genuine.

"How did things go with your dad?" I ask.

"Better than I expected," she admits with a smile. "Davey spoke to him in Spanish the entire time and even gave him a few Japanese lessons."

"You're kidding," I laugh, picturing the scene.

"No," she smiles, shaking her head. "They really hit it off."

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