Page 4 of Pure Seduction (Chamberlin Brothers 1)

“Laurel? Laurel,” she said, as we came to a stop off to one side of the deck. But I wasn’t listening. I was too busy trying to process everything I’d just seen.

Noah was here. Here. Back in Chamberlin. Back in my immediate orbit, and shit—suddenly I couldn’t breathe.

“Okay, why don’t you take a seat? You don’t look so good.”

I didn’t doubt it. I’d gone from hot to cold in the blink of an eye, and my knees felt as though they were going to give out any second. Willa guided me to one of the bench seats that bordered the back deck, and once I was down, I feared I’d never get back up again.

“Heeey.” She sat down beside me and rubbed a soothing palm over my back. “It’s okay. Take a deep breath in and then let it out.”

I did as she said, but all I could think about was how long I’d waited for this day and how much I’d dreaded it. Damn these conflicting emotions—they were doing nothing to help settle my nerves.

“So, okay, that’s Noah. Holy shit, Laurel. You didn’t say he looked like that.”

Because he hadn’t looked like that. When I’d last seen him, he looked like the all-American boy. The golden child with a charming smile and eyes that looked right into your soul. He’d been sweet and kind and had broken hearts everywhere he went, and eventually he’d broken mine.

I took in another shaky breath and then let it out, trying to calm the nerves that had twisted my stomach into knots. “I told you he looked like Ryan. They used to always get asked if they were twins.”

“Ryan?” Willa laughed. “I hate to break it to you, but that man in there looks nothing like Ryan. That man owns a suit. I’m pretty sure Ryan wouldn’t even know where to buy a suit.”

That was true. I didn’t think I’d ever seen Ryan in anything other than a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt. And as for Noah? I guess I was still thinking of the boy who’d lived in shorts, shirts, and baseball caps. Not the man who’d just arrived back in town looking as put together as GQ model.

“Okay, so they dress differently. But other than that, the similarities are pretty clear.”

Willa peered around my shoulder, her straight black hair falling around her face as she scrunched up her pert nose. “Hmm, I’m not seeing it. Maybe it was more obvious when they were younger, but now? No way. That man in there oozes sophistication. Ryan is homegrown through and through.”

I braved another glance over my shoulder and braced myself against the barrage of emotions I knew would slam into me again.

Noah had moved into the center of the room now, and while it was close to full, it wasn’t difficult to spot him. With everyone gathering on the periphery, he might as well have had a spotlight on him, and damn what a vision he made.

I quickly turned away in fear he’d look in my direction, and tried to regain control of my erratic heart. This wasn’t how I was supposed to feel. Where were all of my carefully rehearsed lines and conversation openers? I wished someone would tell me, because they’d suddenly all vanished from my mind.

“Uh, do you want me to go and get you some water?” Willa got to her feet. “Or maybe something a little stronger?”

“No.” I reached for her hand. “Don’t leave.”

“Okay, I won’t. I just thought some liquid courage might help with the situation.”

“Courage?” I sat up a little straighter. “What do I need courage for?”

Willa looked around the empty part of the deck where we were huddled then shrugged. “No reason.”

So I was hiding. Or trying the best I could to vanish in plain sight. But what other option did I have? This was the last place I wanted my reunion with Noah to happen. Largely because we were surrounded by everyone who lived in Chamberlin, and after my disastrous teens, I’d spent my entire adult life making sure I gave them no reason to include me in the local morning gossip.

“I’m fine. It’s just a shock to see him after all this time, that’s all.”

“Sweetie.” Willa took both my hands and squeezed. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“I know, but—”

“There’s no but. If you want to talk, we can talk. If you want to leave, I’ll make up some kind of emergency and we can leave. I’m here for whatever, and if you want to get fall-on-your-ass drunk, we can do that too.”

That made me laugh. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gotten fall-on-my-ass drunk. But if ever there was a time for it, that time would be now.

“Well, if it isn’t two of the prettiest girls in town.”

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