Page 21 of Triplet Babies for the Billionaire
It’s hard not to let it get to me.
A little while later, Noah walks into the bar, his tall frame commanding attention. He greets everyone with his usual easy charm, but when his eyes find mine, it’s like everything else fades away. There’s a brief pause, just a moment where our gazes lock, and I feel that familiar flutter in my stomach.
I try to look away, but it’s hard. He’s here, and I’m here, and even though we’ve been careful, it’s like we can’t stop this connection. The attraction is so palpable that it feels impossible to ignore.
My gaze flicks to Courtney, and I see her face contort into something between frustration and anger as she huffs and walks off, clearly irritated.
I mutter under my breath, trying to ignore the odd tension in the air. “What’s up with her today?” I ask, though I don’t really expect anyone to hear me.
Just then, the chef, Miguel, calls out from the kitchen. “Blossom, come here for a second.”
Relieved to be distracted, I turn away from Noah and make my way to the kitchen. But the lingering feeling of Noah’s gaze follows me, and I can’t shake it off.
Miguel is busy at the prep station, chopping vegetables. He waves me over, his usual easy smile on his face. But before I can even ask what he wants, he speaks.
“Courtney,” he says, his voice low, like he’s letting me in on something I might not know. “She’s been off today. And honestly, for a while now.”
I raise an eyebrow, surprised. “Off how?”
Miguel glances at the kitchen door before continuing, almost as if he’s making sure no one is eavesdropping. “She’sbeen...fixated on Noah. Ever since he started working here, really. But it goes deeper than that.”
I blink, my curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”
“Well,” he says, lowering his voice even more, “she’s had a thing for him ever since they first started working together. She’s been trying to get close to him for a while, and when she saw how much he struggled after Whittney’s passing, she thought that she was the one who could step in, you know?”
I feel a lump form in my throat. “So, she’s just...trying to pick up where his wife left off?”
Miguel nods. “Yeah, pretty much. She was there the whole time during Whittney’s illness. She’s one of those women who thinks she’s the ‘natural’ person to be there for Noah, but he’s never given her the time of day. And now...well, she’s not happy about it. The idea that anyone else could get close to him drives her crazy.”
I can’t help but feel a mix of sympathy for Courtney and irritation at how she’s handling things. “Does Noah know?”
Miguel shrugs. “Noah’s not stupid. He’s just...been keeping his distance. But I think Courtney’s starting to overrate her friendship with him, and I don’t think he sees it clearly.”
I nod, the pieces falling into place. No wonder there’s been so much tension. I just didn’t realize the extent of the problem.
The shift drags on after my conversation with Miguel.
Every time I try to break the ice with Courtney, I feel like I’m just hitting a brick wall. I offer a smile, ask her how her day’s been, but it’s always met with a tight-lipped response or, worse, complete silence. She’s colder than a winter morning, and I don’t know what else to do.
I can’t figure her out. She’s been here longer than I have, and I should probably just let it go. But the more I try to make conversation, the more it feels like I’m intruding on something,like I’m some kind of enemy to her. Maybe she’s jealous. Maybe she just doesn’t like me.
Or maybe I’m just projecting. I’ve noticed the way she looks at me sometimes, like I’m an inconvenience in her world. Surely she doesn’t know about Noah and I. Right?
I try to shake it off, focusing on the drink orders and the hum of the bar around me. But every time she walks by, her cold shoulder feels like a sharp jab. I can feel myself getting frustrated, but I remind myself to breathe.
I don’t need to be friends with her. I just need to do my job.
Just as I’m starting to get into a rhythm, the door to the bar swings open, and in walks Noah. I can feel the shift in energy as soon as he enters: everyone’s attention gravitates toward him, and even Courtney straightens up, her eyes lighting up as she watches him make his way toward the bar.
He greets everyone with his usual smooth charm, but I see Courtney practicallyhoveringas she follows him around, asking questions about this or that, trying to get special assignments or offering unsolicited advice on the menu. It’s obvious she’s trying to get his attention, trying to insert herself into his orbit.
I can see the slight twitch of annoyance in Noah’s expression, and I can’t help but smirk as he politely brushes off her comments. It’s like a game at this point. He’s too polite to outright shut her down, but I can tell it’s getting to him.
I have to look away before I start laughing out loud. Watching Courtney try so hard is almost comical. It’s clear she’s not even close to getting the attention she thinks she deserves.
I turn my focus to the drinks I’m making, trying to hide the grin that’s threatening to form on my face.
Noah finally finishes his drink and makes his way toward the door, ready to head out. As he leaves, I hear Courtney’s heels click behind him, and I know she’s about to make her move.
