CHAPTER 9

After only one glass of champagne, Noah switched to beer. He said he wasn’t much of a champagne drinker and only ever had a glass or two when he was in a celebratory mood. Veronica’s insides had warmed when he said that today he was celebrating his new friendship. Given the little speech he’d just made about how he felt about his friends, it was even more heartwarming that he now considered her a friend. That of course only made her reasoning even more pertinent about why she shouldn’t get caught up in anything like what happened that morning.

They now sat on her porch. There’d been a break in the weather and the sun had actually made an appearance so they’d gone out to enjoy the beauty of the sun rays that sliced through the clouds. Though there was a chill in the air, the champagne helped warm Veronica.

She sat on the swinging bench while Noah sat on the porch stairs leaning back, his elbows supporting him on either side as he stared up at the clouds. “This break ain’t gonna last. Those are some mean looking clouds.”

“That’s okay.” Veronica stared up at the bright sunrays that seemed to fight the weather. “As pretty as this is, I like the rain.”

“You do?”

She continued to admire the sunlight but nodded. “Something about it. It’s cozy, moody—romantic.”

“Romantic, uh?”

She finally pulled her eyes away from the sunlight and smiled. “Yeah, don’t you think?”

Noah straightened out then moved up to the top stair, leaning up against the porch railing so he faced her now. “I guess it can be romantic.” His smile was teasing. “The cold weather is always a good excuse to snuggle.”

Veronica laughed, feeling a bit nervous about where this was going but then decided they were friends. If she did in fact want to keep him as a good friend and see him like she decided earlier—a younger brother. They should be able to talk about anything without it getting awkward. “I doubt you’ve ever needed an excuse to get cozy with anyone. You probably have them lining up.”

A stupid nervous laugh escaped her again when those damn suckable lips of his curved into one of the sexiest smiles she’d ever seen.

Not awkward. Not awkward.

“I wouldn’t say lining up but I’m flattered that you’d think so.”

This time her laugh was more sarcastic than nervous. “Oh please. With a body like yours and you’re a boxer to boot. I wouldn’t doubt that you have a fan club already.”

He frowned at that. “Groupies don’t count. They’re only attracted to three things: fame, status, and money. On occasion maybe they’re just looking for a good time they can brag about later. Hot maybe. But romantic? Hell no. That’s not what I’m into.”

Veronica was just taking in how familiar he seemed to be with what inspired groupies and most notably that though the thought of groupies didn’t seem to excite him, he did consider them hot. She was certain now he’d had his share. Then he brought the subject back to her. “So how come you’re not married?”

She didn’t even realize her smile had vanished until he spoke again lifting his beer bottle. “I’d blame the beer but I’ve only had a couple. I’m sorry if I’m getting too personal.”

Friends, she reminded herself. She could do this—she should—so she cleared her voice and sat up again a little straighter. “No that’s okay. I’ve nothing to hide. I just haven’t met the one yet. Well…” She paused wondering if she should even mention it. He seemed to be hanging on her every word. “I was in one pretty serious relationship for a while there. We were even talking about moving in together. But then my mom got sick and…”

She glanced away unbelievable feeling her throat constrict.

“And what?”

When she glanced back at him, his playful demeanor was now replaced with a look of concern or…disgust.

She cleared her throat again taking a sip of her champagne to swallow back the emotion. “I uh… got real busy with my mom and it was just a really hard time for me so… Derek said maybe we should take a break.”

She’d only seen the expression he now wore on him a few times at the gym and even then she never knew exactly what to make of it. Out of nowhere, she’d glance up at him sometimes and he seemed distracted but the expression was the same as he wore now, hard and almost menacing. “So he walked away when the going got tough—when you needed him most? What an ass**le. How long were you with Derek?”

She’d never heard Derek’s name, or anyone’s for that matter, sound so foul. With the lump gone now, she almost giggled. Instead, she lifted and dropped her shoulder. “I really don’t blame him. I was absolutely no fun—”

“Roni, you were going through some heavy shit. Did he expect you to drop everything to entertain him? What he should’ve done is help you through it —help make your life easier. It’s what I would’ve done.”

Veronica smiled, feeling a newfound tenderness for Noah. On this Thanksgiving day she was absolutely grateful for her new friend. And though their circumstances were a bit unconventional she really hoped now that their friendship would be a lasting one. One that would continue even long after he moved out. The very thought killed her suddenly warm and fuzzy moment. It had taken a few weeks but she was used to this arrangement now. She liked having him around. Just last night she’d thought of the day ahead of her with a bit more dread than she’d admit to herself—a day he’d be gone all day. How was she going to feel when he left for good?