Page 102 of Coming Home

“I think I need to. I should talk to Clayton.” She clenched Noah’s hand. “But I still choose you. I just won’t accept that a choice needs to be made.”

He dipped his head, pressing the tenderest of kisses against her lips. “My brave girl,” he whispered, mere inches away from her lips, his hot breath offering comfort as he kissed her a second time. “Call me after. I’ll come get you.”

After Noah left, Nat walked to Elle’s office. Tucked between two shelves stuffed with books sat an oversized leather chair that belonged to their grandfather. It was Clayton’s favorite spot to think or sulk. She knew that’s where he’d be. Walking through the ajar French doors, she found Clayton sitting in his chair, Fitz on his lap. Elle sat crossed-legged on the window seat, Lizzie by her feet.

Elle looked up. “I’ll give you two some privacy.” She got up and walked to the door, where she paused to mouth to NatIt will be okay. Lizzie trotted behind her mommy.

Nat crossed her arms and stood in front of her brother. “You shouldn’t have found out like that. Noah wanted us to tell people sooner, but I was apprehensive, and I should have listened to him. We were actually going to tell everyone tomorrow at dinner.”

Clayton grunted.

“Although, I’m sure you would have had the same reaction if you found out tomorrow with everyone else. You’re the reason I was hesitant to say anything.”

“It didn’t stop you from jumping into bed with Noah,” he grumbled.

Nat smirked. “Well, at least you’ve moved on from the ‘Noah took advantage of me’ narrative you were peddling in the kitchen.”

Clayton shifted in his seat, disturbing Fitz, who huffed his displeasure. “I shouldn’t have said that. I just…”

“Being an ass,” she scolded with a wry expression before sloshing a long breath. “Your overprotective mode was activated. This isn’t about Noah, and you know it.”

“He’s my best friend!” Clayton pointed to himself.

“Yes, and he’s the man I love.” She pointed to herself.

“You love him?”

“Yes! I love him so much, and he loves me. Nobody has ever seen me as fully and clearly as Noah. I can be completely myself. Messy. Goofy. Strong. Brave. Weak. I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. I know I’ve teased you over the last year about how hard you fell for Elle, but I get it. You may think this is just the residue of the crush I had on him, but the Noah I crushed on pales in comparison to the man I love.” A steely resolve took control of her voice.

“I know I’m being a dick about this,” he sighed. “It’s just… You’re my sister.”

She pulled the chair from the desk over and sat beside him. “I know. You’d be a dick about any man you walked in on me having sex with.”

He winced.

“Although, I think if it had been anyone but Noah you would have slugged them.”

A quiet laugh softened his severe expression. “You’re probably right.”

“I’ll always be your little sister, but I’m also an adult woman. I’m a doctor. I’m a sexually active?—”

“Can we cease with the sex talk?” he groaned, pinching his nose and then wincing at the pain.

She grinned. “I don’t mind that you want to look out for me. It’s part of the big brother’s job description. But I need you to respect my ability to know my own heart and make my own decisions. To respect those decisions…those choices. I choose Noah.”

He nodded.

“If you pulled your head out of your ass, you’d realize he’s the type of man you’d want for me. He’s had your back your entire life. Don’t you want a man like that with me?”

He stared out the window. Green trees with hints of fall gold danced in the breeze. The image of Nat jumping into the leaf pile that teenaged Clayton and Evan had raked in their backyard filled her vision. The slight exasperated pinch of Clayton’s face softened to laughter as he’d ultimately leaped into the pile with her and Evan.

“You’re right,” he murmured.

She smiled.Just like the leaves.Suddenly, the fear she’d harbored seemed silly. At the end of the day, Clayton always jumped in with her. He’d grumble. He’d narrow his eyes. He’d be a big brother about it, but when it was truly right and her happiness unquestionable, he’d join. That’s what good big brothers did, and he was the best big brother. She knew the best, she’d had two.

He turned his gaze to her. “Having Noah as your boyfriend—” his forehead bunched “—would make it easier to look after you.”

It was going to take him time, but he’d get there. She knew he would because he always did. She pinched him, though, because she was a little sister and that was her job.

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