Page 45 of Just One More Temptation

Knowing better than to contradict or question her friend in front of the man she was letting down gently, Fallon focused on her drink and took a sip.

“Aah, she broke my heart.” He placed a hand over the left side of his chest.

Fallon lightly nudged him in the ribs. “You really are a flirt.” She hadn’t seen that side of him when they were at his parents’ house. He was lighter than Noah in personality, more initially friendly and easygoing. She’d liked both of Noah’s brothers.

He shrugged. “A man’s gotta take his shot. But that’s my cue to go join my friends. Nice to meet you, Brooke. If you ever find yourself single, Fallon can get you my number.” He winked, said his goodbyes, and strode away, every bit as cocky for having been shot down.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Brooke blew out a breath and fanned her face. “That man is potent.”

Fallon studied her friend, confused by her conflicting behavior. “Then why turn him down?”

“Oh, I really am very busy at the office.”

Fallon bit down on the inside of her cheek. “You know, if you ever want to talk about him, you can. It doesn’t matter that he’s my brother. You’re my ride or die.”

Brooke smiled but the sentiment didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s complicated and not worth digging into.”

“Then consider going out with Liam… or any guy for that matter.”

“I’ll think about it,” Brooke said lightly.

“Touché.” Fallon lifted her drink and tipped it toward her friend. Because it wasn’t lost on Fallon that Brooke had mimicked Fallon’s own words about Noah right before Liam had shown up and interrupted them.

Brooke grinned and indulged in her drink.

***

Exhausted after pizzawith the twins, a movie, and getting them to settle down and go to sleep, Noah slid between his sheets with a low groan.

Bracing a hand over his head, he leaned back and closed his eyes, his thoughts on Fallon. Though he appreciated her help with the girls, he wanted more time alone with her. He hated to ask his parents for yet more babysitting hours, though they loved being with their grandkids.

At times like this, he resented Charlie for her choices. He wasn’t a single parent, had never planned on being one. When she was in New York, he’d given her all the time off she needed, especially when the girls were young. He loved them more than life but he was only human and needed alone time with the woman he… loved.

Jesus.

On the one hand, that felt like it had come out of nowhere, on the other, the emotion had been building from the moment he’d gotten rid of his attitude toward her and let her in. Gotten to know her. And convinced himself the age difference didn’t matter, not if things between them were real. And they were, at least for him. With the time she gave to his girls and the way she looked at him, he believed she felt the same way.

His cell rang, distracting him, and he glanced at the screen, then swiped to open it and hit speaker. “Hey, Liam. How goes it?” he asked.

“It goes well. Spent the day at one of my investments and I’m happy to report they may be new but they’re turning a profit.” He sounded pleased and Noah was happy for him.

“That’s great. You know how to pick ’em.”

Both Noah’s brothers were angel investors, working together to buy into companies, investing capital in a start-up in exchange for an equity stake in their business. It was their way of using their trust funds to give back to the community while building their portfolio and income at the same time.

“Anyway, guess who I ran into at a small bar near one of my investments?”

Noah sat up straighter in bed. “Who?”

“Your girlfriend, and she was with a gorgeous friend. Of course, I took my shot but she turned me down. Now tell me, aren’t I a good-looking guy?”

Noah shook his head. His brother was such a ham. “You saw Fallon?” He thought she was with her father tonight. In fact, he was still waiting for her to text him she’d gotten home safely.

“Having drinks with her friend Brooklyn. Nice name, too.”

He rolled his eyes. “Was she okay? I thought she was going to see her dad.”

“Seemed fine to me. Anyway, just wanted to let you know I ran into her. Can you get away for a gym session this weekend?”

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