Page 35 of Marrying a Spy

She widened her eyes as he leaned close. “Noah? What are you doing?”

He raised an eyebrow before he shook his head. “Oh, sorry. Nothing like that. I just thought we should get our game plan figured out before we go in there.” He moved back from her, scrubbing his face. “Like, are we going to act like an engaged couple or not.” His forehead creased. “I mean, do you want me…touching you?”

Her eyebrows rose at his question. Sure, it was valid. But she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say. So she turned the question back on him. “Do you think it would be a good idea?” She leaned against the hard brick of the building as she waited for his response.

Noah studied her. “If you’re okay with it, I think we should. I mean, we want people to believe that the engagement is real.”

Sophia’s heart hammered so hard that she could barely breathe. “Okay.”

He took a deep breath and then extended his hand. “Okay then. Let’s do this.”

Sophia pushed off the wall and, despite her better judgement, slipped her hand into his. The warmth of his skin penetrated her. She held her breath as so many memories rushed through her mind.

This felt right. And as much as she wanted to deny it, she loved it. Noah glanced over at her as he led her to the front doors of the Rusty Barrel. She kept her eyes down. She was scared of what might happen if she met his gaze.

Noah opened the door and held it as she entered. People were packed inside, eating at the tables or drinking at the bar. Noah pressed in close to her as he motioned toward an open stool.

“Shall we?” he asked.

Shivers raced up her back. She could feel his body inches from hers. His lips were a breath away as he leaned in to speak over the music.

When they got to the bar, he waved at Georgina, the bartender, and ordered a whiskey and a white wine. Sophia slipped onto the seat, and Noah rested against her. His hands gripped the bar on either side of her, and he was leaning his chest on her back.

Why did this feel so good? It was almost as if they had been two lonely puzzle pieces, and now that they were back together, everything made sense. It made her angry and happy at the same time.

“Are you feeling okay?” Noah asked.

Sophia shivered at the way his warm breath raced across her skin. It was a physical representation of how close they really were. She felt her resolve to distance herself slowly fading away. It was hard to hate someone that was becoming so easy to love.

“Yeah, I am.” She swallowed. “You?”

“Never better,” he said. His voice was deep, and it sent butterflies racing through her stomach.

They stayed there, close to one another, in comfortable silence. It was as if their proximity was healing all the broken cracks of their hearts. Sophia even allowed a genuine smile to lift her lips. This was what she wanted. She’d always wanted this.

“Glad you two could make it.” Jazzy’s voice could be heard over the up-beat thumping of the song, breaking their quiet reverie.

Noah pushed off the counter and turned to hug Jazzy. Sophia leaned over and hugged her as well.

“Thanks,” she said when Jazzy pulled back. “Looks like a great turnout.”

Jazzy smiled as she ran her gaze over the two of them. “Yeah. Everyone loves Bill. I’m happy to help.” She leaned in to Sophia. “Wedding still on?”

Sophia’s stomach twisted. She hated lying to her aunt. But the last thing she wanted was to endanger her. So she nodded. “Of course. It’s for the best.”

Jazzy quirked an eyebrow. “You’re not worried that they’ll find out it was all a sham?” She nodded toward the townspeople.

Sham. This was a sham. Even though, at times, it felt real, a sham was the perfect way to describe their relationship. Noah didn’t love her. He wanted to use her to get to her father and then leave. She should remember that.

“We’ll be fine. Once everything’s taken care of, we’ll divorce and our lives will return to normal.” She hoped that her aunt couldn’t see through her lie. Her heart was breaking at the thought of Noah leaving yet again.

Jazzy hesitated before she smiled. “Sounds good.” Then she patted them both on the shoulder and left to mingle.

Noah remained close, but not as close as he’d been when they first arrived. It was as if he too had been reminded of what this relationship really was.

A few minutes later, a slow song started up. Sophia stared at her now empty glass, hoping and dreading that he might ask her to dance. Did she want to dance with him?

Yes.

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