him as anything but one of Noah’s annoying friends.
He thought about Katie and how feelings could change in an instant. Still, he couldn’t imagine his lively, sophisticated sister with a hometown boy like Jase. Emily had always wanted more than Crimson could offer, even more so after their father died. But life didn’t always pan out the way a person expected. The gauzy circles under his sister’s eyes were a testament to that.
“It’s nice of you to be here, Jason,” Emily said in a tone Noah imagined her using at fancy society dinners where she’d lived with Henry in Boston. “And congratulations on your success in Crimson. I’m sure you’ll make a great mayor.”
Color rose to Jase’s neck. “The campaign’s just started, but I’m cautiously optimistic.”
Emily glanced at Noah. “We know that feeling.”
“Is this your son?” Jase crouched down to eye level with Davey. Noah saw Emily’s eyes widen and wondered what he’d missed. “What’s your name, buddy?”
“Davey, say hello to Mr. Crenshaw.” Her voice was wooden as she threw Noah a helpless look. Davey continued to hide behind her legs.
“Hey, Jase,” Noah said quickly. “Tell me more about your plans for the campaign. Maybe I can help while I’m home.”
Jase glanced up at Noah then straightened. Emily took the opportunity to duck away, leading Davey over to the far side of the waiting area and taking out a LEGO box from the shopping bag slung over her shoulder.
“She really doesn’t like me,” Jase muttered. “Something about me literally repels her. Always has.”
“It’s not like that.” Noah placed a hand on his friend’s back. “She’s dealing with a lot right now.”
Jase’s gaze turned immediately concerned. “Like what? Is she okay? Is that East Coast prick treating her right?”
Noah squeezed shut his eyes for a moment. This was the last conversation he wanted to have right now, and he couldn’t share Emily’s story with Jase anyway. It wasn’t his to tell.
He looked at Jase again, ready to offer an excuse and change the subject, when something made him glance down the hospital’s hall. Katie walked toward him, balancing a large picnic basket in her arms. She wore a pale blue sundress and a yellow cardigan sweater over it. A well-worn pair of ankle-high boots covered her feet, and the few inches of pale skin between the top of the leather and the hem of her dress were the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Her hair was swept up, tiny wisps framing her face. He caught her eye and she gave him a sweet, almost apologetic smile.
He stepped forward, heart racing, to greet her.
“Sorry I wasn’t here earlier,” she said, lifting the basket. “I wanted to bring—”
Before she could finish, he grabbed the picnic basket from her hands, set it on the ground and wrapped his arms tight around her. He buried his face in her hair, smelling the sugar-and-vanilla scent that was uniquely hers. With Katie in his arms, a sense of peace flooded through him. Suddenly he had hope—for his mom and for himself. Everything else melted away, from his sister’s hollowed eyes to Jase’s unwanted concern. He’d deal with everything. But all that seemed to matter at the moment was that Katie hadn’t given up on him.
* * *
Katie tried to keep her heart guarded as the warmth of Noah’s big body seeped through her thin sweater and dress. She hadn’t even been sure she should come to the hospital today after how their last conversation had ended.
But she’d known his family forever and she wasn’t the type of person to desert a friend in need, even if it took a toll on her emotions. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t possibly have stayed away. People in need were Katie’s specialty. She’d gone extra early to the bakery this morning to make fresh scones and sandwiches for later. Food was love in her world, and she was always ready to offer her heart on a plate—or in a picnic basket.
But Noah dropped the food to the floor as if it didn’t matter. Right now, he was holding on to her as though she was his rock in the middle of a stormy sea. Funny that for years she’d wanted to be that person for Noah, but he’d been unwilling to look at life as anything but a continual party. Now that she’d decided to give up on her unrequited love for him, he wanted her for something more.
For how long? she couldn’t help but wonder. Even as his breath against her neck made her stomach dip and dive, she could already see the ending. His mom would make it through the surgery—there was no question in Katie’s mind about that. And as soon as Meg recovered fully, Noah would go back to his party-boy ways and leave Katie and Crimson behind once again.
She knew he was friends with many of the women he’d dated over the years. In his heart, he loved women—all women—he just couldn’t commit to one. When things got serious, he’d move on. Yet Katie’d always been amazed at the warmth between him and most of his former flames. It was impossible to remain angry with Noah for long. He couldn’t help who he was. But Katie had to keep the truth about him fresh in her mind so she wouldn’t make what was happening between them into something more than it was.
When she caught both Jase and Emily staring at them, she pulled away, quickly picking up the picnic basket and holding it in front of her like a shield. “Is everything okay?” she asked, thinking maybe there was a reason for his uncharacteristic display of affection toward her. “Have you heard something?”
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