Page 37 of Finding Noah
“I was never engaged—
“—basically engaged.” I repeated the words to remind myself that up until yesterday, I’d thought he loved Laura and had felt betrayed by her departure. It hadn’t really entered my mind that he might’ve only wanted friendship with her. Come to that…what had their physical relationship been like? Had they been intimate? If not, had Christian taken male lovers in the interim? While waiting for me to get my head out of my ass. I could see now, as of this morning, that he’d laid his feelings on the line. I didn’t reciprocate them—but that fact had consequences. He’d date other people. He’d find someone and want me to move out or he’d move out or his lover would move in and—
“Noah, I can see the gears grinding in your mind.” He smiled. “Why don’t you let it go and just enjoy tonight? We are sort of on a date.”
At once, we both turned to face our dates. Of course, talking only to Christian had been the height of rudeness—but we had a lot to still hash out.
And found the bench across from us empty.
“What thehell—”
“Did you guys want to order dessert?” Gabriella appeared out of nowhere and offered menus. “Or perhaps a coffee? Although the caffeine—”
Christian raised his hand.
She stopped talking.
“Uh…did our dates both go to the washroom? At the same time?”
My mind flashed to all the things two guys could do in a bathroom, superimposed Malcolm and Soren in those images, and I cocked my head. Because that made a compelling visual—even if just in my mind.
“No.” Gabriella said the word slowly. “They both asked for their slices of apple pie to go, paid for their meals, and left together. Oh.” She brightened. “Dr. Malcom said to wish you both a good evening and Soren added you make a lovely couple. I didn’t realize you were together, because you said you were just friends—but he’s right, you make a cute couple.”
My mouth dropped open. Our dates had abandoned us? Had left together.
“Clearly neither of them found either of us appealing.” Christian chuckled. “Can’t say that’s ever happened to me before.”
“Uh, me either…”What the actual fuck?
“So, dessert…?” Gabriella still held the dessert menus.
“Apple pie with vanilla ice cream.” I managed a smile. “He’ll take apple pie with chocolate ice cream. Don’t ask.”
She shrugged. “I won’t, but I think he’s got good taste. Everything tastes better with chocolate ice cream.” Then she was gone.
Christian tapped the table with his index finger. “Are we supposed to call to apologize?”
“I have no idea. They’re the ones who got up and left. Were we really talking that long?”
“Uh…I’m clueless. I mean, they could’ve said something…right?”
“I suppose.” I tried to replay the conversation in my mind. Where I’d wanted Christian to commit to always being with me. But I hadn’t said the words out loud. Or at least I didn’t think I had. Because, if I had, that would’ve sounded really bad.
Gabriella arrived with our scrumptious apple pie and we consumed all of it before finally gazing at each other.
He was so dear to me…but I didn’tlovehim. Not inthatway.
Right?
The answer, which would’ve come so easily just a day ago, didn’t.
Chapter Eleven
Christian
Noah sat, nibbling on his toast while I’d barely touched my eggs.
Last night’s debacle still hung heavy in the air.
