Page 12 of Coming Home

He cleared his throat. “You’re not happy.”

“It’s been hard since I’ve come home.” She exhaled, walked to the couch, and sat.

“Why?”

“Because I’m Natalie Owens here.”

His head jerked. “What’s wrong with being Natalie Owens?”

“You wouldn’t understand. You’re Noah Wilson. The former high school quarterback. The decorated veteran. The one who came back to revive the village with not one but three businesses. People respect you.”

“Who doesn’t respect you?” The calm seas of his blue eyes almost stormed.

She tossed her hands in the air. “Everyone!”

“I respect you.”

“You protect me. Big difference.” She crossed her arms.

“Do you think I respect Clayton?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think I protect Clayton?”

She didn’t say anything. Just nodded.Damn him and his logic!

“So, we’ve established that I respect you. Anyone else that doesn’t respect you…fuck them.”

Her eyes widened. “Did Noah Wilson, the man that is nice toeveryone,just say, ‘fuck them?”

Noah smirked. “Yup. Fuck them.”

She couldn’t fight her grin. It spread like peanut butter on hot toast. This is why Noah remained one of her favorite people.It was why this goddessdamn crush wouldn’t go away anytime soon.

“Thank you.”

“I’m here anytime you want to talk. I know I’m Clayton’s best friend, but I’m also your…”

Nat prayed he wouldn’t say big brother.

“…friend.”

Not sister, but friend.A quiet happiness bloomed in her chest. She may never be the woman he looked at with heated eyes or pulled into his arms to kiss, but as a friend, hope lived that she was no longer relegated to the little sister image in his vision. Most people loathed the idea of being friend-zoned. At that moment, she was living for it.

She jumped up from the couch and walked to the counter. “Let’s see these flowers. Isn’t the Village Rose closed on Sundays?”

“I called in a favor with Janet.”

“Nice.” She ripped open the paper.

“Typical… You open everything like it’s Christmas morning.” The corners of his mouth turned up in amusement.

Delicate yellow gardenias sat in a clear glass vase tied with a rainbow ribbon. Breathing in their scent, Nat closed her eyes. “Beautiful.”

“Yeah,” he murmured.

She turned her gaze, finding his stare fixed on her.

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