Natalie
I stare even harder at the scene going on by the other table. Lexie is covering half her face with her glitter-colored nails. She appears excited, with her leg dangling over the other, while Noah's face is shrouded in shadows.
What is going on?
I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth. I didn't realize Noah was in love with Lexie. Are they honestly close to getting married already? I'm sad and confused and close to tears.
I have no right to feel this way, but I do.
Flashing a wicked smile at Lexie, Noah opens the black box to reveal...
A diamond necklace.
Time seems to stop. Noah didn't propose to Lexie—why is that such a huge relief? It feels like a rock has been lifted off my chest. Lexie might be dancing in her seat right now, but she won't become Noah's wife.
Thank the heavens.
I watch the pair, holding my breath when Noah turns around. His eyes meet mine and linger. I'm caught, spellbound by the gorgeous man. Recognition flashes over his features, and I avert my eyes with my heart hammering inside my chest. I don't want his eyes on mine.
Noah's attention frightens me because... It makes me realize that I'm not close to getting over him.
Glancing to the left, I notice Alaric is coming back while still talking on the phone. He doesn't even see me as he pulls out his chair. A drunk smile is plastered over his face.
It makes me chance a glance at Noah again. He is still watching me, and he doesn't look away either. Lexie is eating from her food, yet Noah isn't shy about giving me his attention.
I shudder in my seat.
Noah reeks of sexual charisma tonight. Confidence seems to ooze from his very pores. The fact he has no trouble sitting with Lexie and flirting with me... I'm not sure whether to be fascinated or frightened.
Eventually, Noah turns to look at Lexie. They laugh and carry on with their evening without any worries about tomorrow. I can't help but think how lucky Lexie is. To be the center of Noah's attention while I'm lost in my problematic emotions of maybe being with the wrong man.
No.
Wait.
What am I thinking?
Alaric is a great man, or... He used to be. We are getting married, and we might move to London. I should be happy.
I look back at Alaric, who gets off the phone. He gives me a charming smile while tucking it away. "Are you excited about the wedding?"
"I was."
He furrows his eyebrows. "But you're not anymore?"
"I was excited when a real dress was included," I'm not shy about being honest with my future husband. "I love you, Alaric, but... Can't we rent a simple wedding dress? It's important to me."
Alaric's facial expression softens when he sees my pout. It reminds me of why I love him—he cares about my emotions. Compassion is a rare trait. I didn't see it very often when I was dating.
"Of course, we can," Alaric says, tapping his chin as if thinking deeply about something. "There are cheap wedding dresses to rent, right? We can work something out."
Alaric's worry about money removes the smile from my face. Seriously? What is with him lately? We had saved more than enough for the wedding, and now he acts like we are poor.
I plaster a smile on my lips. "I'm finished eating. Are you?"
"Yeah—"
"Great!" I interrupt in a fake cheerful tone. "Then how about we head home and watch some Netflix? I'm working early tomorrow, and I would love to go to bed early tonight."
"Okay," Alaric smiles at me. "How about we find a cab then?"
"Sounds good," I lift my hand. "Let me get the waitress."
Minutes later, I'm standing on the curb waiting for our taxi. Alaric is smoking a cigarette with some old co-workers away from me. I wasn't invited to mingle with them.
Taking a deep breath, I smile into the chilly street. My bag is slung over my shoulder, and my mascara is sticky from the cold weather. Alaric is laughing with his friends, and I'm impatiently waiting for our cab.
I look left and right from under the streetlight, spinning around when I catch a shadow heading for me.
It's one-hundred percent Noah. His face is covered by darkness, but I would recognize him anywhere. It's the way he holds himself. Elegant. Confidently. He even moves like an aristocrat.
I suck in sticky air into my lungs. Noah and his impossibly broad shoulders are coming closer until he is standing inches from me with a predatory gleam in his eyes.
"Natalie."
His deep voice washes over me like a dark promise. I repress a shudder and square my shoulders.
"Noah."
His lips move into a hesitant smile. "How are you this evening?"
"I'm good," I tell him, not about to turn this into a conversation. Alaric won't be happy catching us talking.
"Good," Noah seems to hold back a laugh. The atmosphere is awkward, but I know we could easily turn this conversation around and make it fun if Alaric wasn't around. "Did you enjoy your food?"
"I did."
Noah smiles. It lights up his faze, and I freeze as his gaze slides down my length, taking me all in. "You look beautiful in that dress. Red is definitely one of your colors."
My lips quirk up into a smile. "One of them?"
He shrugs, still smiling. "I think you look good in every color. The more, the better. You're a colorful woman."
My cheeks heat from his words. I take him in and feel a tingle starting in my toes. Noah is throwing me off balance in the way he looks at me, his gaze so confident, as if he knows what he wants.
I take a step back because it's unnerving how he looks at me. It's a not-so-subtle way of flirting, and it's working in his favor.
I shift to my other foot, and Noah lifts his head. I turn around to follow his gaze, grimacing when I catch Alaric glaring at us. He won't come over to greet Noah. The hatred keeps him from being friendly.
In a way, I understand Alaric. I'm not physically cheating on Alaric, but my heart is definitely a traitor because it beats for Noah right now. Not that I would ever tell anyone.
"How is Alaric?" Noah asks, seemingly amused over my soon-to-be-husband's unwillingness to come over. I almost lose it when Noah has the guts to lift his hand and wave.
I breathe a laugh. "Alaric is alright."
"And you?" His eyes are back on me. "I'm asking because you seemed so upset in your latest text messages."
I lift an eyebrow. "What text messages?"
Noah pauses. His eyes roam my face as if searching for something. He tilts his head and then his lips curl slightly by the corners before his gaze travels back to Alaric. He let his gaze linger on Alaric before slowly letting it slide back to me.
"I have a weird question: when was the last time you and I spoke to each other?" Noah is wearing a strange smirk on his lips. It makes him appear cunning. Dark and sexy.
"Huh?" I blink at him. "Well, when I returned the car?"
His lips curl even higher. "I see."
"Was that the right answer?" I have no idea why Noah asked me that strange question. It's been radio silence between us.
"Maybe," Noah winks at me. "I have one more."
"Another weird question?" I smile up at him. "Sure, go ahead and ask whatever you want from me."
This time, Noah doesn't offer me time to think before speaking his following question in a severe tone. "Are you happy?"
Honestly, the question shocks me, and I freeze on the spot. The answer should be, "Yes," but I can't bring myself to say it. Does that mean it's a lie that I'm happy?
The expression on Noah's handsome face turns to confusion as he sees my reaction. Sympathy is embedded into his eyes.
"Natalie?" Noah's voice is soft. "Are you okay?"
I don't get a chance to answer him before we are interrupted.
"The taxi is here!" Alaric calls. "You coming?"
I widen my eyes, not knowing where to go or what to say. Noah's face is filled with insecurity and... Surprise? As if he somehow expected an answer from me.
"I-I have to go..." I turn around. "You have a good night, Noah!"
Noah's voice makes me shudder as I walk away. "You too, Natalie."