Page 180 of Savage Suit
“Fuck off,” Noah snapped, but it packed no heat.
“I love Sailor Moon,” Alessia told me. “It is one of my all-time favorite anime.” She inspected Noah from head to heel. “You’re Tuxedo Mask!”
“Not,” Noah said. “The anime that isn’t childish is too fucking unrealistic for my tastes.” He changed the subject. “You never answered my question, Nathaniel.”
Nathaniel’s humor fled, and he stiffened even as disappointment dropped into his features. “You wanted a date, so now we have one. It’s over a month away.”
“A month and a day,” Noah said sharply.
Alessia’s expression crumpled. “That’s more than enough time to plan a wedding,” she said tentatively, as uneasy as Nathaniel.
Noah must’ve terrorized them. I wished I could get his attention and offer a silent plea on their behalf. He wouldn’t have liked anyone interfering in our relationship.
“I swear I love your brother. I’ll sign whatever prenup you want me to—”
“That isn’t up to him,” Nathaniel told her.
Her shoulders sagged. Trying to appease one Keegan annoyed the other.
“You’ve called me and talked to—”
“You don’t want a big wedding, Alessia?” Noah interrupted.
“As long as I marry the man I love, it doesn’t matter if the ceremony is in front of a judge and two witnesses.”
“That isn’t what I asked,” he said.
Our affair and confessions of love felt too new and fragile for my interference. Besides, he hadn’t intervened with my family until the argument took a turn for the worse.
Alessia shrugged. “Dreams of fairytale weddings are for little girls. Until reality intrudes.”
Noah dug into his pocket and pulled out a business card, holding it out to her. “Tomorrow evening, email me what you want,” he instructed as she took the card and looked at it. “A photo of your desired gown. How large a bridal party you’ve imagined. Menu. Guest list. Your clergyman. Honeymoon destination.”
Mouths agape, Nathaniel, Alessia, and I blinked and stared at each other, then at Noah.
“Call me as early as possible Monday morning,” he continued. “That’s the direct line to my office…” His voice trailed off and he glanced at me.
My heart sank. I didn’t like his uneasy look.
“Get my cell phone number from Nathaniel so we can talk that evening. Nathaniel,” he went on without missing a beat, “Have Nicholas give you the number for the jeweler he uses.”
“Uh, okay.” Nathaniel seemed at a loss for words. “Uh, i-isn’t it the same one Mom and Dad used?”
“I’ve not had an occasion to frequent his shop, so I’m not certain,” Noah answered.
“Nick is in asshole-mode,” Nathaniel said wryly. “I hope Tina convinces him to retire early.”
“Or someone knocks him the fuck out,” Noah grumbled. “Just stay out of his way and I’ll do the same.”
Nathaniel nodded, then hesitated. After a moment, he gave Noah a quick hug, so fast a blink would’ve lost the gesture. “Thank you, Noah. Truly.”
Alessia stepped closer to Noah, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. “This means a lot,” she said timidly. “To me, but especially to Nathaniel.”
The tips of Noah’s ears reddened but he nodded, watching as they walked away, heading toward the door to go back inside.
“What you did is…wow, Noah. Remarkable. You’re such an extraordinary man.”
He turned to me and settled his hands on my hips, stealing a quick kiss. It shocked me. I wasn’t sure how many invitees were from the office, but such a public display left no doubt about the status of our relationship. “It has recently come to my attention that to be a valued family member, offer the same.” He smiled tenderly at me. “I’ll allow no interference in my personal life. My brother deserves the same consideration. I’ve helped him out of his many fuckups. I should put the same effort into something positive in his life.”
