Page 33 of Resisting Temptation

For fuck’s sake. That’s what he got out of our argument. “Someone has to,” I grumble. I have my work cut out for me with Beckett. But he’s the least of my worries. I can’t unsee the way Noah was looking at me, and the irritation I felt when he let Margo touch him. This situation is getting messier by the second. I can’t control my emotions when it comes to Noah, no matter how hard I pretend I can.

Chapter 20

Noah

As the late-afternoon sun sets, the Founders’ Day parade Margo organized comes to an end, with anyone still hanging around, moving inside to McAllister’s to revel in the annual festivities. This year, the McAllisters have embraced the Raiders’ theme with enthusiasm. Scattered throughout the establishment, the menacing skull-and-crossbones symbol can be spotted on every surface. The bartenders have concocted some rather dubious-looking cocktails, complete with eerie eyeballs seemingly suspended in the drinks. The room is brimming with excitement as locals, decked out in their pirate attire, immerse themselves in the celebration.

I spot Whitney from across the room. She’s sitting at one of the organization tables with another girl. Her face lights up as I approach. “Hey, haven’t seen youaround much. You must be busy with your campaign efforts.”

“Very.” I smile warmly.

“Noah, I have someone I would like you to meet. This is Sandy, a friend of mine from college, staying with me for a while to help set up my practice.”

I hold out my hand for the redhead grinning at me. “Nice to meet you, Sandy.”

“Noah is running for mayor; he’s the only option, if you ask my opinion. He’s also our neighbor just across the street,” Whitney explains to her friend.

“Whitney’s told me all about you. I think she might just be your biggest fan. I would be jealous if I didn’t have so much to thank you for.”

I glance over at Whitney, wondering what her friend is going on about.

Her cheeks flush. “I told Nan. Sandy’s my girlfriend, and Nan’s coming to terms with it. Thank you for helping me.”

“Happy I could help,” I say, surprised but pleased.

“Noah, if I could do anything to repay you, please let me know.” She grins at her girlfriend, their hands linking.

I smile back at her, so happy she’s been able to truly be herself. “You got any sway in the teams for the games tonight?” I ask cheekily.

She smirks knowingly, motioning with her finger for me to come closer. “You want to be paired up with your girl? Make sure you’re the closest person to her at seven pm,” she whispers.

I take a step back, beaming. “I might just do that.” I wink in her direction. “See you girls around.”

“Good luck tonight, Noah,” they say together and then laugh.

As I walk away, my eyes meet with Paisley’s as she enters through the front door with Mae. She’s looking hot as hell in a short dress and black knee-high boots, a red bandanna holding her curls off her face. She takes one look at me and changes direction, heading for the bar instead of the pool table where our group has gathered.

I join the rest of our group, coming up beside Emerson. “Pais still avoiding you?” Emerson watches my line of sight.

“Looks that way.” I shrug it off like I don’t care either way, even though I do.

Emerson smiles at me softly. “She’s stubborn, she’ll come around when she realizes you’re staying this time,” she says with an optimism in her voice I wish I had.

“Hope so.”

Emerson swirls the drink she has in her hand then throws it back. “Why don’t you just fix whatever it is you did to her? It can’t be that hard.”

I look Emerson over. She’s young, and she’s been so sheltered most of her life. I bet she’s never had to deal with anything remotely similar. She wouldn’t understand. “It’s complicated, Em.”

She smiles sweetly. “Because she’s in love with you?”

I tilt my head, surprised. “Did she tell you that?”

“No, but it’s obvious. Her irrational behavior around you. The downhill spiral she’s been on. I love her dearly. She’s one of my best friends, and I would say this to her face as well, but the summer you came home to take care of your ma, she changed when you left. Shehasn’t been the same since. I didn’t work it out till last week. Something happened between you, didn’t it?”

I look her over, wondering how she pieced it all together.

“Paisley doesn’t want to talk about it, but I thought maybe you do. You’re hurting as well. Under that smirk is pain your masking.” She takes my hand, giving it a kind and reassuring squeeze.

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