Filed To Story: The Things We Leave Unfinished Novel Free
She swallowed nervously, her eyes flying to Noah’s and back. “Noah invited me. I hope you don’t mind. I just wanted to be here to wish you a happy birthday and say congratulations. This is quite an accomplishment.”
Was that really the only reason she was here?
“You and Ian?” I asked tentatively. Had they fallen apart? Was she only here to pick up the pieces under the guise of patching up mine?
“Oh, he’s fine. We’re fine,” she assured me. “He sends his best. I’m sure you understand why he’s not with me.”
Because I couldn’t stand him and he knew it, which was actually pretty considerate when I thought about it.
“How was the flight?” Noah asked, breaking the tension with that easy way he had.
“It was good. Thank you so much.” Mom took a deep breath. “In the spirit of full disclosure, Noah bought my ticket.”
“Oh.” Full disclosure? She and Ian were fine? “That was really sweet of you,” I said to Noah, leaning into his side.
“My pleasure.” His hand flexed at my waist. “It’s not my present, though. That’s waiting for you back at the house.”
“I told you not to spend money on me!” I chastised, but there was a tiny thrill of curiosity thrumming in my chest.
“I didn’t, I promise.” There was that grin again. He was up to something.
“I can’t hog the birthday girl all night. See to your guests,” Mom said with a watery smile. “Thank you for letting me be here. Your birthdays have always been…” Her smile faltered. “I’m just glad, that’s all.” Her gaze swept over the gallery. “This is phenomenal. I’m so very proud of you, Georgia.”
“Thank you for being here,” I told her, meaning every word. “It means a lot to me.” The advance had been paid, and any other royalties from the book would go straight to Mom’s account. She was happy with Ian. It looked like her life was going well, too, which meant she wasn’t here because she needed something from me-she was here because she wanted to be. And sure, it was only one night, in a lifetime of them, but it was enough.
I was all smiles as I made my way around the room, watching the smaller pieces disappear as they were purchased.
“This is awesome!” Hazel wrapped me in a tight hug. “And is that Lydia’s daughter behind the register?”
I nodded. “I think it might be going well.”
“It is. Trust me.” Her eyes narrowed as she stared over my shoulder. “Whoa. Who is Noah-” Her eyebrows hit the ceiling.
I turned around, blinking in confusion as Noah embraced a strikingly beautiful woman near the door. He looked up, searching the room, then grinned as he found me. He said something to the woman, then led her past the ice crown to where I stood with Hazel.
The woman’s hair and eyes were as dark as Noah’s, and her complexion the same sun-kissed olive. A man with sandy-blond hair, green eyes, and a well-tailored suit came to her side.
“I hope you don’t mind that I invited one of my closest friends, too,” Noah said with a smile. “Georgia, this is my little sister, Adrienne, and her hostage, Mason.”
His sister? Men didn’t invite their sisters to meet their flings, did they? My chest warmed, my heart aching with the possibility that this was something more to him, that we could really be more, even after he finished the book. Maybe we didn’t need the self-imposed cutoff date.
Adrienne arched a single, perfectly plucked brow at her brother, but her smile for me was instant and starbright as she swept me into a tight hug. “And I’m thrilled to meet you, Georgia. He talks about you constantly, even though he meant to say my husband Mason,” she corrected, releasing me.
“But did I?” Noah teased. “Good to see you, man.” He embraced Mason, then hugged his sister so tight, he lifted her off her feet. “You too, squirt. Good flight?”
“You know it. Stop paying for first class. It’s a waste of money.”
“I’ll spend my money however I like.” Noah shrugged.
“Hope you like arguing, because they do it a lot,” Mason said, offering his hand with an easy smile.
“Going to be honest-I’m a little overwhelmed.” I shook his hand, and his smile deepened, revealing a dimple.
“Don’t blame you one bit, and your gallery is incredible!” Adrienne said. “Oh, and happy birthday! No rush-it’s a little busy in here-but later I need to hear all about how you knocked my brother on his ass in that bookstore.”
I laughed and promised her details before she and Mason walked off to look around, taking Hazel and Owen with them.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are tonight?” Noah’s lips skimmed the shell of my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
“About twenty times,” I assured him. “Have I told you that I’m going to do devious things to you with that tie you’re wearing tonight?” I looked up at him from under my lashes.
“Are you, now?” His eyes darkened. “And here I was making plans of my own.” He stole a kiss before I was pulled away again.
The night flew by, and before I knew it, I’d sold every piece I’d marked for sale. The ones for display, the crown and the tower pieces, stayed right where I wanted them-with me. The gallery slowly cleared out, until it was only my close friends and the cleanup crew.
“He gets major points for this,” Hazel said as she was getting ready to leave.
“Hey now,” I teased, hugging her goodbye. “Team Georgia, remember?”
“I am team Georgia,” she promised. “That man flew his family out to meet you. Your mom, too,” she finished quietly as Noah said goodbye to his sister.
Adrienne had already promised to come by for lunch the next day. She’d refused the guest bedroom, but Mom had agreed to stay with us tonight. She’d already taken her rental car to the bed and breakfast to fetch her things.
“I know. He’s…” I sighed, looking over at Noah.
“He’s just as much in love with you as you are him,” Hazel whispered.
“Don’t start.” I shook my head, refusing to set myself up for major heartbreak.
“I’ve never seen you as happy as you are tonight, as you have been for the last few months, actually.” She took my hand. “You’ve been through enough bad, G. You have to let the good in, too.”
She hugged me again before I could formulate an answer, then Owen tugged her out the door, mumbling something about them still having a babysitter for the next hour.
The house was dark and quiet when Noah and I got home, but Mom arrived just after we’d hung up our coats. Noah’s eyes drifted to my legs, bare under the short black dress I’d chosen from my recently unboxed stash.
“I’m going to head up and call Ian before bed,” Mom said with a sly smile, carrying her small bag even after Noah had offered to take it up for her. “You two don’t have too much fun. Happy birthday, Gigi.”
“Night, Mom.” I didn’t even cringe at the nickname, glancing over at the twenty-nine roses Gran had sent with a first edition, signed copy of The Sun Also Rises.
“It’s present time,” Noah said, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. “It might not be Hemingway, but you had me on a limited budget.”
I groaned. “You’ve already given me enough.”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.