Page 34 of Marrying a Spy

Chapter Eleven

The next day, Sophia tried to ignore the feelings that brewed in her stomach every time Noah smiled at her or brushed against her accidentally. Or, what she thought was on accident. She couldn’t help but hope that he was doing it on purpose.

After they met with a caterer and secured the venue, they pulled into Sophia’s driveway, and Noah turned off the car. He hesitated before he turned to look at her.

“Are you up for the party tonight?” he asked. She thought she detected a hopeful hint to his voice.

She fiddled with the strap of her purse. “I’m game if you are.” She peeked over at him.

His gaze was intense. She swallowed. She was trying with all her might to not read into his reactions.

“I think it might be fun. See each other in a neutral place.” He cleared his throat and ran his hands over the steering wheel, taking a moment to touch the insignia in the middle.

“Sounds good.” Her heart picked up speed as she thought about what this meant. See each other in a neutral place. A place where they weren’t faking a relationship or planning a fake marriage for that fake relationship. Did he want them to just be Noah and Sophia tonight?

She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. All she knew was that a relaxing evening sounded amazing.

They got out of the car and headed inside. She nodded at him as she slipped into her bedroom to get ready. Forty-five minutes later, she opened her door. After curling her hair and obsessing over her outfit longer than she’d like to admit, she was ready.

Noah was sitting on the couch. He looked amazing in his dark blue button-up shirt and dark jeans. He’d styled his hair, and it accented his tanned skin. He looked up as she came out. An approving look crossed his face, making Sophia feel light-headed.

She’d wrestled with what to wear, and finally decided on a dark red dress with black heels. She’d hoped that it wouldn’t look like she was trying too hard. Which was ridiculous, she mentally scolded herself. But she couldn’t help it. She wanted Noah to like how she looked.

“Wow,” he said, standing and shoving his phone into his back pocket.

She smiled and smoothed her dress. “Thanks.”

He took a few steps toward her before he stopped. It was almost as if he were asking for permission to come closer. She just smiled.

“Did you see this?” he asked, pulling his phone out and turning it on.

She stepped closer to him as she squinted at the screen. It was an announcement on the local paper’s website. There was a picture of the two of them, and under it were the words Noah Elliot and Sophia Lewis to be married on Sunday.

She took his phone and studied their picture. Man, they made a good couple. She looked so at ease in his arms, even though at that moment she’d felt like she was breaking.

“Did this just go out?” she asked, handing him the phone.

Noah nodded. “Jordan sent me an email while we were out. I don’t know how I missed it.”

She fiddled with her purse as he slipped his phone back into his pocket. “Do you think he’ll notice?”

Noah sighed and glanced around the room. “If he’s not an idiot—and I don’t think he is—he’ll notice. I have a feeling he’s been keeping an eye on you. This will definitely draw his attention.”

Her stomach twisted at the thought of her father keeping an eye on her. Although, for some odd reason, it did make her feel a tad less lonely.

Tired of thinking about her father, she pushed him from her mind and smiled over at Noah. “Well, only time will tell.” She motioned toward the door. “Shall we?”

Noah stepped in front of her and held the door open. She walked out onto the porch, and Noah followed after.

They drove the twenty minutes to the Rusty Barrel and parked in the lot. They could hear the music from inside their car. A disco ball was spinning, throwing lights across one of the windows, and bodies were moving to the beat.

Noah glanced over at Sophia. “Are you ready for this?”

She chewed her lip and nodded. “Sure. It’ll be fun.”

He pulled open his door, and she did the same. The crunching of gravel under their shoes filled the silence between them. She wanted to ask him what his intentions were this evening. If he wanted to act like a couple. Would it tip people off if they didn’t?

When they neared the door, Noah suddenly placed his hand on her lower back and led her to the side of the building.

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